Your baby is probably accumulating a number of toys now, so you may need to decide where to store all that stuff! Consider the following. Shelves have an advantage over toy chests because they display toys and offer the child freedom to select and reach for herself. As she grows, you also help her learn to organize by taping pictures of the toys on the shelf where each should be stored. Shelves should be 2 to 3 feet above the floor and attached securely to the wall. Round off sharp edges or cover them with foam rubber.
Toy chests can be anything from a box with a lid to a laundry basket. If you buy a chest, make sure it is easy to open, has a lightweight lid that does not fall easily, is well ventilated, does not lock automatically, and does not have hinges that could pinch little fingers. A pretty painted toy chest may look nice, but a good old laundry basket has a few advantages: it is flexible (if fallen on), well-ventilated, easy to get toys in and out of, and has no lid to trap little ones.
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