Can H have a few things that are only brought out when M is napping?
I think this is a lovely idea for an older child and makes the toy seem special and 'theirs'. When there is more than one child although they have their own toys they are also expected to share everything (or a lot) , the older child in particular probably hears so often that they need to be nice to the younger and share all their toys etc (I don't mean this offensively Becky, I have no idea what you say to your children, I'm just going on observation of other families that this seems quite normal).
It reminds me of Tracy's suggestions for play dates or parent run play groups. The toys which are left out for play must be shared with the visiting child, therefore any toys the 'at home' child is not willing to share or would not like someone else touching etc must be discussed with the child who owns the toys and those items put away safely. It gives them a sense of importance as a person and respects their feelings, rather than just saying 'well you have to share with your play date'.
I was also wondering what to do if LO asks for something that is not is rotation.
I would give it. I believe in child-centred learning and therefore they get to choose what they play with. Like Katy says removing some toys is about keeping things interesting and fresh and reducing that overwhelming feeling by having too much stuff. If they were denied a toy that they requested simply because it isn't on rotation this is like punishment, the toys are being confiscated, they are just being put away. So, if they can ask for it I think they should get it.
Times when I would break from this 'rule' are things like an electronic game or computer game if I have set a max amount of play time on it per day/week (we don't have such things yet), and arts and crafts activities, cooking, messy play if there is a reasonable reason that now would not be a good time to do those things, ie if you have a play group to attend and have to leave the house in 15 mins then getting covered in water/sand/paint etc isn't a a good idea. Equally preparing something for baking and not having time to bake it etc.
If F is good with books then I'd leave them all out, if you don't want to then I'd certainly let her have what she requested to read. DS still gets overwhelmed by too many books, we currently have 20 out in the living room (plus 2 magazines), another 4 in the bathroom and 1 or 2 per night into his cot plus about 5 sets of flash cards which are kind of like having books. It's still quite a lot of books but if I got ALL the books out he would be lost. This way he has a wide choice and it works for us atm.
Nuala, I LOVE your invitation to play. I want to make one right now for DS!
I had a invitation to poop backfire on me today. Put a duplo train by the bathroom potty and DS was SO taken with it he refused to get off the potty. Then when I did manage to separate him from the train he waved bye bye (I said he could play with it next time he needed the toilet) and we went downstairs, only a short while later he was begging for the toilet like he was about to burst...and just wanted that damn train. I let him take it downstairs, I now have the nightmare I never wanted which is a duplo mega-blox mix aaarrrgghhh!!
I found it interesting that some of the activities for gross motor skills are just what going for a walk here is like - there isn't really an option of walking on smooth ground, and obstacles are a given etc.
My mum is always looking for the easiest ground for him to walk on where as I tend to put things in the way
I built a wall of mega blox yesterday right across the living room so he had to step over it every time. I might see how high it has to get before he pulls it apart rather than stepping over (am I cruel?
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I used a baking tray on top of a cushion yesterday to create a kind of balance board. DS loved it. he is currently into making this kind of 'woah woah' sounds as he PRETENDS to lose his balance, and he leans side to side whilst doing it so I thought he would like a balance game. He also stands on his scramble bug, the other day he let go both hands and stood straight up. I pasted a grin on my face saying 'ooh that's good balance wow' whilst making a mental check of all the objects surrounding him and exactly how much damage they would do to him should he fall and land on them. He's been balancing on my knees too, although 99.9% of the time he holds hands. My mum would FREAK if she knew.
