Where to Put Your Child's Kitchen Playset

You might think the best place to put your kid's kitchen playset is in the basement, their bedroom, the spare room, the rec room, the rumpus room or somewhere where they can "go and play."

But, truthfully, your kitchen playset should be in a common area where you can see and hear your child as you go about your chores: a corner of the living room, kitchen, or family room is best.

Children want to be with their parents. You are their favourite plaything! They won't play happily or quietly for long if they are away from you, in a room by themselves. However, if you are close by and can partake from time to time in their play by sampling play food, sitting down for a tea party, asking them what kind of cookies they're making for dolly, etc., they will play happily for hours. You don't have to sit down for long stretches of time and play with them, but a few minutes here and there will mean a great deal to them.

It's also nice to plan a time when you do sit down with them in purposeful play. That's when you can teach them all kinds of wonderful things like manners, etiquette, sharing, kindness, politeness, taking turns and so much more.

A kitchen playset is ideal for so many kinds of play that your child should never run out of fun ideas. Tea parties and restaurant dining are obvious, but don't forget to suggest a game of grocery shopping. Help them make a list, set up the play food in bins so they can shop, take turns being the cashier, provide a basket or cloth bag to pack the groceries in, show them how to put the groceries away. Then, have them decide what they want to make for dinner now that the kitchen is all stocked up. Don't forget laundry play: sorting clothes, washing, drying, ironing dolly clothes. There's cleaning up, too: washing dishes, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, dusting.

Bring humour into your child's play. Be the grumpy old lady customer or the naughty child. Enjoy their laughter, and laugh with them, but also observe how they deal with your "character." If they need help coming up with an appropriate response to your character's inappropriate behaviour, help them out by breaking character for a second and whispering in their ear. And don't forget to modify your character's behaviour accordingly. The naughty child must behave and the grumpy old lady must turn sweet as pie. This is how you help your child learn to moderate their own inappropriate behaviour.