Are you guilty of tidying up around the children?

In many early years settings — and even at home — tidying up is built into the daily rhythm. We think of it as part of keeping the environment safe, organised, and ready for the next activity.

But here’s something to pause and consider…

When we tidy up while a child is still deep in play, we may unintentionally be sending messages we never meant to give:
🚫 “Your play isn’t important.”
🚫 “This space needs to be adult-ready, not child-ready.”
🚫 “The story you’re building isn’t worth finishing.”

🌸 The Hygge-Inspired Approach

In a Hygge-inspired early years practice, we embrace a slower, more respectful pace.

We allow the block city to remain standing overnight so its builder can return to it in the morning.
We leave the small world exactly as it was so children can pick up their story where they left off.
We understand that tidy doesn’t always mean “ready for learning” — sometimes, a little creative chaos is exactly what children need to feel immersed and inspired.

✨ Why It Matters

When we resist the urge to tidy too soon, we:

• Honour deep, sustained play – supporting focus and perseverance.

• Show respect for children’s work – just as we’d expect respect for our own projects.

• Create a rhythm where the environment adapts to the child – not the other way around.

🌿 Yes, There’s Still a Time for Tidy

A clean-up rhythm still has value — but it’s about when and how.
Instead of swooping in mid-story, we can give children the chance to finish their idea or leave it to revisit later.

And when it is time to tidy, framing it differently can make all the difference:
🪴 “We’re caring for our things so they’re ready for us next time.”
🌸 “We’re making space so we can breathe and feel calm.”

💛 Sometimes, the Most Powerful Thing You Can Do Is… Nothing

If the play is rich, the imaginations are buzzing, and the engagement is deep — pause before picking up the blocks.

In the gentle light of a Hygge-inspired approach, we’re reminded that the magic of early years learning is often found in the unfinished.

✨ Ready to bring more calm, connection, and joy into your early years practice?
Join the Hygge in the Early Years Training — a beautifully designed, self-paced programme that helps you slow down, create nurturing environments, and put children’s wellbeing at the heart of your practice.

You’ll discover how to:
🌿 Design cosy, nature-rich spaces
💛 Foster deep, sustained play
🌸 Weave mindfulness and connection into every day

📥 Enrol today and start transforming your practice into one that feels calmer for you and magical for the children. Click here