Toy storage system and method for teaching children

Abstract

A system and method that teaches children proper organizational skills and to pick up after themselves, through reinforcement and reward, rather than through punishment and scolding. The system of storage bins and receptacle cradles are of modular construction, and can be adaptable to hold a variety of toys, game pieces, and even food items.

1 . A device for storage and organization of toys or food items, comprising: at least one storage bin, said storage bin comprising a lid, a container and a lock, said lid and container being able to be locked by said lock; at least one receptacle cradle for receiving and holding said at least one storage bin, said at least one receptacle being able to be stacked securely with another receptacle cradle.  
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , in which said lock is a combination lock.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , in which at least part of the storage bin is made of a transparent material.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , in which said storage bin further comprises an index card holder.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , in which said storage bin is made of a solid mesh construction.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , in which said lid and container of said storage bin closes to form an airtight seal.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said container of the storage bin has removable partitions for portioning the container space.  
   
   
       8 . A method of caretakers of children to teach children to pick up after playtime, comprising the steps of: providing at least one storage bin, said storage bin comprising a lid, a container and a lock, said lid and container being able to be locked by said lock; providing at least one receptacle cradle for receiving and holding said at least one storage bin, wherein said at least one receptacle being able to be stacked securely with another receptacle cradle; the caretaker instructing the child that only a pre-set number of toy sets can be checked out from said at least one receptacle cradle at one time, the child going to said at least one receptacle cradle and retrieving the storage bin with the toy set that the child desires to play with and bringing it to the caretaker; the caretaker unlocking the storage bin and giving the unlocked bin and the toy set to the child and instructing the child that when the child is done playing with that toy set and ready for another one, the child must return the storage bin with all the contents intact to the caretaker.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said lock is a combination lock.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein at least part of said storage bin is made of a transparent material.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , in which said storage bin is made of a solid mesh construction.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  in which said lid and container of the storage bin closes to form an airtight seal.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said container of the storage bin has removable partitions for partitioning the container space.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , in which said storage bin further comprises an index card holder.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one receptacle cradle comprises a bottom pedestal and a top receptacle.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said at least one receptacle cradle comprises a bottom pedestal and a top receptacle.