C hildren don't need a wide variety of books and toys to build their developmental skills.
As we continue on our journey to a simpler, more fulfilling life, we have forced ourselves to reassess the items which our children have free access to.
Whilst our children do have supervised yet, limited, t.v and iPad access, they have all day access to a carefully curated play area in our home.
This is an area where my husband and I have carefully picked toys and books, based on what each item offers our children. Over the years, we have found that our children have benefited far more from 'self-directed play', rather than 'structured play'.
We like the idea of handing our children the tools and having them decide how to use them.(Think building blocks without instructions, drawing their own pictures to colour, rather than the use of a colouring book).
Here are our TOP FIVE children's items for minimalists:
1. "The Book With No Pictures" by B.J Novak - This book is an absolute favourite for our three and five year old! It's the number 1 request at bedtime and always has us all giggling.
There are absolutely NO PICTURES in this book but it doesn't hinder the experience in the slightest! If anything, it makes the book what it is. If you don't mind reading absurdly silly words to your children, this book is a must have!
2. Kinetic Sand - When our children are in need of a bit of down-time, or they're winding down for the evening but it's not quite time for bed, we pull out the big tub of Kinetic Sand.
It lives in our entertainment unit in our lounge room, so we can supervise them whilst they use it (unsupervised sand play = HUGE mess).
It's a fantastic sensory item for children of all ages.. even my husband enjoys putting his hands in!
Throw in a couple of spoons, some cups and some tiny toys for burying and your mini sandbox is set!
3. Magnetic Tiles - These things are incredible!
Whilst they can be pricey, depending on the brand, they are extremely durable and have the ability to entertain a wide range of ages (We recently had seven children in our home, ages ranging from 1 - 11 and they were all entertained for hours!) These tiles encourage imaginative play and a "think outside the box" mentality, which we LOVE!
4. Scrapbook & Colouring Pens/Pencils - This is a big one in our family.
Our eldest child is very much in touch with her emotional side. Her outlet?.. Drawing. When she's feeling overly emotional and she can't find the words to express how she's feeling, she draws it. This not only helps her to express her emotions in a healthy way, it also allows her to process how she's feeling. We like to use books instead of loose paper, so as to keep the 'clutter' contained. Once they're full, we recycle them and purchase new ones.
One scrapbook usually lasts a year, if not, more.
5. Negative Space - Whilst this isn't an 'item', this certainly is a high priority for our family. As a minimalist family, we endeavour to create a life of which we don't need a holiday from. We carry this mentality through to the curation of our home.
Our home is our retreat, our break from the everyday necessities of life.
Why wouldn't we create a space for our children?
Creating space in our home for them to retreat to when they're having a rough day or just need a bit of 'alone time' has always been important to us. For this reason, we don't store toys in their bedroom or decorate with bold colours. Their bedrooms are kept calm and clutter free, allowing them to experience a sense of calm in their clear, clutter-free space.
Take a moment to assess your children's lifestyle and the way in which they learn. A well curated play area could be the best thing you ever do!
Erin Michele. x
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