There are some empty shelves which technically aren't empty -- as the books have been put away for awhile. We have some little hands that are just not understanding that there are proper ways to treat books. Now, before you firm believers in children learning from books get up in arms about this, let me assure you that there is still a large stack of books on a part of the shelf that are for the girls' use/abuse. Slowly they are learning to treat the books with a little more respect, so perhaps in the new year the rest of the books will return to their homes on the shelf.
The groaning shelves are telling me it's almost time for another book cull. Perhaps I shall use a few for some giveaways...
As for toys, we only have stuff for them that builds the imagination.
I don't know if you can get a good sense of the before and after of these photos, but I'm in love with my clean and tidy book shelves again.
Two more days to go, and they're easy ones :o)!
WOW that is such a nice big space! :) I could definitely tell with the before and after pictures!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that the girls will soon learn to treat books more carefully soon. They're probably learning basic stuff still... like how to make beds, and where do the toys BELONG.
Great job... I will say I'm a bit jealous of all that you're acomplishing! :)
Blessings,
~Michlyn
I love this space!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work!
An awesome space to work! I love those bookshelves and completely understand keeping most books back until respect is learned!
ReplyDeleteI can definitely see the difference, and I really love that space! I need to cull books, too, but that's the hardest sort of decluttering for me to do.
ReplyDeletexofrances
Cool space! Lots of book!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great room! I have to ask...How many rooms DOES your house have??? Goodness...seems like many...and the thing that impresses me most is that even though you are decluttering and cleaning you really seem to have a good handle on keeping things tidy and uncluttered even in your before pictures....especially for such a large family.
ReplyDeleteThis room is your house?! I think it's about the same size as the classroom that I put 10 preschoolers into. It looks like a great place to learn!
ReplyDeleteI was curious about the toys. Do you have other toys anywhere outside the classroom, like dolls or dress-up clothes? I found that my preschoolers love these and both are a great way to encourage creativity and expression.
Hi Kayla,
ReplyDeleteGood question! If you look in the second from the top photo, you will see a dresser. That has all the dolls and doll clothes. I do have dress up clothes too, but I haven't put them out for the girls yet.
The girls also have colouring books, crayons, paper, etc., but those had to be put away for awhile because someone was not listening and respecting property.
I hope that answers your question :o).
Blessings!
Deborah
That does answer my question! I was just wondering. Thank you so much for answering.
ReplyDeleteI very much so understand about having to put things away because children aren't respecting things. I have a similar problem in my classroom. I have many kids in my class that just don't have books at home and haven't been taught how they should be treated. I've fixed many ripped pages and sadly, thrown many away. But, four months into the school year, attitudes are behaviors are improving.
Keep up the great work!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this room!
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping the smalls learn to treat books kindly soon :D
Julie
Wow! I could use a room like this in the village :-) LOVE the lighting and all of the bookshelves.
ReplyDeleteOh that is such a great room and space!! Love all your tidy books!!
ReplyDeleteI'd love a post someday on some of your parenting "traditions"/expectations/rules for your children. General methods of parenting with clear expectations. Feel like I'm not doing a very good job and too often my TV gets popped on in exasperation for getting them to listen (NOT a solution). I read your posts with very clear boundaries for your children and I admire that greatly.
Blessings!
I want a room like this! Our house is soooooooooooooo small, so books and toys take over quickly. I cleared out a bunch of books a few months ago, but I think I need to do it again.
ReplyDelete