A child's play space belongs in the middle of family life

By Janne Terfruechte Jul 21, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Hamburg - As soon as babies start to crawl or walk they set out to explore their world - and mommy and daddy have to go along to make sure they stay safe.

Parents, however, can have a rest if they set up a play corner for their little ones with toys and other objects to occupy them and to keep them out of places where they shouldn't be. Kids are, after all, known for clearing out drawers, pulling on table cloths and climbing over anything that gets in their way.

But they shouldn't be banned to their bedroom just because they like to go on expeditions around the house. Jutta Velte, author of a book on children's rooms, said children and their needs should be treated as part of normal life. They should be allowed to share the spaces where their parents like to spend time.

Nadine Augustat-Lehmann, a designer of children's bedrooms in Germany, advises setting up a play space in the dining room or in an area of the kitchen. 'Then the children keep themselves busy,' she said.

Setting up the play area can be quick and easy. 'The area can be defined by colour by using a rug or carpet squares,' said Mareike Hermann of an academy in Cologne that helps people with do-it-yourself projects.

A rug or carpet also serves to reduce noise and make the play corner more cozy. Velte said it also helps prevent children getting cold when they play on the floor.

If furniture is used to form the border of a play area, parents should make sure it is stable. Children use furniture differently from the way adults use it, Velte said. They like to hang on and jostle furniture and doors. Also, parents should make sure there aren't any electrical sockets or breakable objects anywhere near the play area.

Often play areas are provisionally established wherever the toys are piled up at the end of the day. But Hermann said a play area should be in a defined space, but set up in a way that it can be concealed when visitors come. Boxes with lids help to make it look orderly, she added. The boxes can be placed on shelves or drawers can be integrated into a shelf unit.

Boxes have an advantage, however, because they can become playthings themselves, said Velte. Parents can help children learn to be orderly by putting a photo of the type of toy that belongs in the box on its side, said Hermann. Drawers also can be decorated with stickers, numbers or letters.

The play corner should be set up with the interests of the child in mind. 'If the child loves to draw, a little table and chair are suitable,' said Hermann. For little girls who like to pretend to shop or cook, there are child-size play stores and kitchens that can fill out the area.

If possible, the play area should be near a window. If there is no window nearby to provide natural light, the play space should have its own lamp or other light fixture, Augustat-Lehmann recommends. This is particularly important in the winter when children spend more time indoors than outdoors.

Play areas should be places where children can withdraw. A canopy or other cloth cover can make it more adventurous for the child, who might like to crawl inside and pretend it is a cave, said Hermann. Beanbag chairs can provide places to rest.