How to Create A Safe Play Environment For Your Toddlers

Encouraging toddlers to play is a healthy way for them to grow and learn. Therefore, it is important that as parents and guardians, you can create a safe play environment for your toddlers. There are several aspects to investigate when considering the safety of your toddler. This is because you will not be present at all times to watch what your toddler is playing with.

Designing a toddler’s playground that will suit your toddler’s needs with the right environment is therefore essential. You must consider the cleanliness, choice of toys, the space available, as well as the age of your toddler.

Below explains how you can create a safe play environment for your toddler:

Consider the Age of Your Toddler

The age of your toddler plays a crucial role in determining how you prepare your toddler play yard. Depending on the age, every parent can tell which types of games they are capable of playing. If your toddler is only a few months old where movement is restricted, there is very little you can include. A few hanging toys and just enough space for your toddler to turn effectively are enough.

Older toddlers will require much more. Age will also put into consideration the weight and height of the child. Their height will determine how tall an enclosure can be, so they cannot climb out and head to unsafe areas. Their weight will determine the toys they can ride to avoid dangerous falls.

Choice of Toys

The choice of toys available plays a significant role when choosing the type of toys, you can buy as a parent.

The following are factors to consider when choosing toys:

Size of the toy

When purchasing toys, always ensure that the size is not too small. This is to help prevent cases of swallowing the toys. Swallowing toys will choke toddlers leading to an emergency. In other instances, minute toys can find their way into other openings such as the ear or bottom, which may cause children harm.

On the other hand, if they are too large, it makes it difficult for your toddler to handle the toy. This makes playtime boring and straining. Larger toys also tend to be heavier. Heavier toys stand the chance to suffocate your toddler. For example, parents tend to buy large teddy bears for their toddlers. While they are soft and enjoyable to touch, they may suffocate your toddler if they fall on them.

Purpose and quality of the toy

Playing serves as a learning experience and to exercise a toddler. Other times, it is merely a method of keeping them constructively engaged so they can sleep better. Always choose the right toy for the right purpose to prevent hazardous effects.

If a toy serves as a learning tool, always ensure that you are present to prevent them from plucking parts of the toy. For example, piano toys are fantastic at teaching toddlers about instruments and music. You will allow them to press on the keys, but always ensure that they do not fall off. This is always important because the parts are small and pose a choking hazard to the child.

All toddler toys need to be made from quality materials. Poor materials may react with the tender skin of a toddler to cause infections. Some toys peel off paint or their top layer especially if they are made of poor plastic. Avoid this type of toys because toddlers may swallow the peeling parts. Peeling paint is harmful when ingested.

Shape of toys: Avoid sharp toys

Toys for toddlers are better suited when they are rounded in shape with no sharp corners. Sharp corners can tear the skin of your toddler making them unsafe.

Allocate Storage Space

The storage of toys should not be in the same area as the playground. Allocate storage space to ensure that the environment is in order. When the storage space and the playground mix, your toddler can reach out to all toys. This is a hazard because toddlers will crowd their space and the chances of tripping and falling increases.

Manage the Available Space

Availability of space varies from one home to another. The space you need however is not only dependent on the size of your home.

The following are other factors that will determine how you manage your available space to promote the safety of your toddler:

Your child’s behavior

Some children are more active and energetic as compared to others. It can be difficult to control these children when playing. Avoid very large spaces so that you can limit the chaos they may create. On the other hand, do not restrict them too much so they do not hit objects or other children.

The toys involved

If you have large toys that occupy more space, then leave more space to avoid cramping your toddler with his or her toys. This will prevent cases of suffocation or falls.

The age of your toddler

The age goes hand in hand with weight, height, and size. Some children are chubby; others are taller, whereas others slim. The younger they are, the less space they will need as compared to the older ones. Older children are more energetic and familiar with the environment. They will want to exploit more. The larger space ensures they can maximize on their playtime without hitting corners.

Observe Cleanliness

Cleanliness is vital when it comes to toddler safety. Safety not only refers to physical wellbeing but also to health well-being. The playing environment of a toddler must be cleaned regularly. Keep in mind that toddlers go as far as licking their toys and playing environment.

Clean the toys, the surface, as well as the surrounding areas with mild cleaning agents.
Disinfect the toddler’s play area and toys to prevent infections.
Wipe all the surfaces on a regular to prevent falls.

The above pointers will help you to create a safe play environment for your toddlers. The key objective is to prevent both physical and medical harm. Also, remember to accompany the above remedies with supervision.