"One of the worst things parents can do is decorate the bedroom to be a playroom instead of creating a calming room for sleep," warns child development expert Ingrid Kellaghan. "Before nap or bedtime, toys should be tucked away, stored and out of sight.
The need for toys in the child's bedroom or an area for activity can vary depending on your family's needs and home structure. If you have a playroom (or play area) near the bedroom then perhaps it works best to keep the bedroom minimal, to have the bedroom as an area for rest and sleeping only.
“A Place For Everything And Everything In Its Place”
This will makes the pack away routine much easier because your kids know where to put their toys. Depending on the size and layout of your home, toy storage options could be in the kids' bedroom, the family room or living area, a closet and/or a separate playroom.
Bedding, pillows, and rugs should be soft to the touch, of course, so "test-drive" all materials before bringing them into the room. Another item that can make kids feel cozy? Family photos. Seeing the faces of their loved ones surrounding them in their bedroom makes children feel safe and relaxed.
We suggest storing them in a closet or cabinet with doors. You can also install some baby latches up high and out of reach of nimble little fingers. Make sure the toys are in a sealable container or bin, so they'll remain dust-free during their time-out.
If a child still wants to play with toys as they move into adolescence, it is totally normal and to be celebrated! Unless a child's play is affecting or replacing real-life friendships, there is no need to worry.
It's important not to overwhelm the play space with toys. As an approximate guide, try to keep the number of toys immediately available to under 4 for a premobile child, under 8 for a crawling child, and under 12 for a toddler, depending on the size of the space and number of parts to each toy.
As kids grow up they might want more privacy and need their own space, especially if they're sharing a bedroom with a brother or sister. While it's not illegal for them to share, it's recommended that children over the age of 10 should have their own bedrooms – even if they're siblings or step-siblings.
Having their own room means that children can benefit from some peace and quiet. This is especially good for introverted children who desire quiet space and time alone as well as for older children who want to read or study in peace; something which they may not get in a shared room.
Helen's rule of thumb when it comes to getting rid of toys is 'If they have grown out of it – pass it on to a younger child; if it is worn out, recycle it and it if isn't being used, takes up too much space or you have more than one, donate it'.
Once a child can walk, they can start to put their toys back on the shelves. Toddlers at around 18 months can provide a lot of help putting away, but by two or two and a half I find most toddlers can pack up and put away the majority of their toys and many toddlers actually enjoy it.
Don't Throw Away—Donate
Think about how your old toys can make a positive difference in a child's life. It's easier to get rid of sentimental clutter when you know it's going to a good charity. You don't have to donate to just charities, either.
Don't let your baby sleep with any soft objects, including stuffed animals, until they're at least 12 months old. Soft toys, blankets, crib bumpers, pillows, and other bedding increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and death by suffocation or strangulation.
Is it OK to sleep with a stuffed animal? Experts say it's OK to sleep with your stuffed animal every night—even if you no longer sleep in your childhood bed. However, if your attachment to your stuffed animal impacts your work or relationships, that's usually a sign of a deeper issue that needs to be addressed.
But a firefighter has urged parents to make sure their children's bedroom doors are closed at night – because it could save their life. Closed internal doors can help reduce the spread of fire and smoke and could keep your child safer if a fire starts in your home.
children aged 5 to 17 shouldn't share a bedroom with a child of the opposite gender aged 4 and under. single household members aged 18 and over, and any children who aren't related need a separate bedroom.
Teens, Privacy, and Independence
In this particular instance, your teenage daughter is likely in her room as a way to assert more independence and control over her life. Privacy can become even more important as she notices physical changes.
It's 100 percent your right to check their devices,” said Bill Wiltse, President of Child Rescue Coalition. Child predators want to invade children's lives, an abuse that they may never recover from.
Messy teens are an adolescent stereotype. Refusing to keep their room neat is often a way for teens to claim their space and declare independence from their parents. However, teens with messy rooms, particularly if the messiness is extreme, may be struggling with a mental health disorder, such as anxiety or ADHD.
Experts agree that under the age of two, children shouldn't have any screen time at all. After that, and up to the age of 12, it's recommended that they have only one hour of viewing a day. For children on the younger end of that spectrum, that time should also be supervised.
Tweens having messy rooms is not unheard of. In fact, it's pretty common. There are certainly tweens who care greatly about their items and their organization, but for the most part, tweens and teens only care about what's important to them.
As experts would tell you, there is no age limit for dolls. It may seem unusual in this day and age, but several 12-year-olds still play with dolls. And in a world where the internet is widespread, this may be a good thing.
The condensed version is - kids are NEVER too old for toys! If your child starts to seem too old for toys, it isn't time to get rid of playthings altogether. This is a new developmental stage, and just like when they progressed from a tricycle to a bike, it is time to transition to a different types of play.
We can throw some things away and give some things away, but at the end of it all, you are only going to have 20 toys left.” We called it The 20-Toy Rule. 20 toys sounds like a lot… or maybe it doesn't. But you'd be surprised at how many things children can accumulate.