Independent play is a skill your kids will use for the rest of their lives — and a way to claim some time for yourself this winter.
Independent play is a skill your kids will use for the rest of their lives — and a way to claim some time for yourself this winter.
How to Teach Kids to Play on Their Own
ByKate RopeDec. 3, 2020
How to Teach Kids to Play on Their Own
How to Teach Kids to Play on Their Own
Independent play is a skill children will use for the rest of their lives — and a way to claim some time for yourself during the summer months.
Here’s how to get your kids going→
How to Teach Kids to Play on Their Own
Start with connection.
Kids first need to know you have their back. Set a timer for 20 minutes of playtime with you. (No phones. No distractions.) Then, give them a hug, say you loved watching them play and go do your own thing.
How to Teach Kids to Play on Their Own
Create “invitations to play.”
You can set up dolls having a tea party or trucks with little piles of dried beans; sort Legos into piles by color or build half a structure; or put out a puzzle with the pieces flipped over and ready to go.
How to Teach Kids to Play on Their Own
Make room for mess.
Don’t be afraid to use tactile materials like paint, sand, clay, beads or even water. They are soothing and will keep kids engaged.
To contain the mess, get creative. Avital Schreiber-Levy, a parenting coach in New Jersey, lets her 2- and 4-year-old play with shaving cream in the bathtub, which keeps them happy for over an hour.
She sets up shop with her computer on the toilet while they have at it.
How to Teach Kids to Play on Their Own
Build a movement zone.
Clear away furniture and then pile in soft things — pillows, cushions, yoga mats or sleeping bags. With any luck, your kids will end up making a fort that keeps them entertained for hours.
How to Teach Kids to Play on Their Own
Stay connected.
“Often when parents present independent play, it’s like slamming a door on the child’s face and saying, ‘Go play outside,’” said Dr. Lawrence J. Cohen, the author of “Playful Parenting.”
Instead, challenge your kids to create a piece of art for you or come up with a surprise for another adult in the home so you stay involved, even if it’s just on the sidelines.
This way, they won’t feel like you’re shutting them out.
How to Teach Kids to Play on Their Own
And remember ...
Don’t sweat it if your kid isn’t good at playing independently right away.
Our children are used to planned play dates, packed schedules and screen time, so it’s natural for there to be a learning curve.
For more tips, head to the Well section.