Guest Blogger: How to Transition your Nursery into an Educational Playroom

Guest Blogger #411, Entry #1019, March 15, 2012

Kids grow up faster than you can imagine. It seems like one day you’re rocking your infant to sleep in the nursery and the next he’s outgrown the crib and even the room itself. This means moving your child to a larger bedroom that has space for a twin bed and the other furniture he’ll need (dressers, for example). But if you don’t have other plans for the nursery, why not turn it into a playroom for your growing tot? With a forward-thinking makeover and an emphasis on educational décor, your child can use this room for years to come as he continues to grow and learn. Here are just a few things you’ll want to consider as you upgrade your nursery to an educational playroom.

Transition your child’s nursery into a playroom

Image via: Emily A Clark.Blogspot

Transition the nursery with your growing child

If your child is still a toddler, certain considerations will have to be made for his physical stature. For example, kids that are still relatively new to walking may suffer from coordination issues for a while to come. This means that a wood floor probably isn’t the best option for a playroom. On the other hand, carpeting can get dirty so easily, and if this is a room where crafts occur you could end up with some hard-to-clean stains. So why not compromise by laying down interlocking rubber tiles? They’re super easy to install, remove, replace, and clean. And they’re cushier than hardwood or tile so your toddler will spring right back from a fall. But the best thing about them is that you can lay them directly atop existing flooring and remove them when your child has outgrown them.

At this point your child is still rather small, which means you’ll also have to consider furnishings that will suit him, such as low tables, tiny chairs, and cubbies or shelves that he can easily reach to get books and toys. Eventually you can upgrade to a desk that will last him through high school and taller shelves and cupboards, but you’ll want to start with furniture and storage options that are suited for his smaller size first. So now that you’ve got the playroom basics in place, how do you go about creating an educational atmosphere?

Considerations for a playroom

Although your child may not be school-age quite yet, it’s never too soon to introduce a rotating slate of educational materials. You could start by installing glass dry erase boards for your toddler to practice writing letters and numbers on. Simply tack a chart to the wall for reference. As he gets older you can replace the alphabet with posters like a map of the world, the periodic table of elements, and even a star chart. And you can definitely include bookshelves occupied by a wide range of literature covering a diverse array of topics (both fiction and nonfiction). In the years to come you may even fill the space with instruments, art supplies, and of course, a computer that will give him instant access to information, communication, and the world at large.

Your child’s nursery can later be a playroom

Transforming your child’s nursery into an educational playroom doesn’t have to be difficult. And with a bit of forethought and planning you can ensure that the space meets his educational needs for years to come, providing opportunities for both fun and learning (hopefully in tandem).

For more kids’ room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.