Young children are fascinated by their parents… In the eyes of your children, you are the coolest person on the planet. That’s why, when it’s time for the game, they’ll grab your attention as loudly as fans watch their favorite rock stars perform. You are the ultimate playmate!
As flattering as it may be, learning to play alone Xi helps young children grow into independent little humans. Not to mention, sometimes you need to take a break from playing… After all, a happy toddler gives you the opportunity to fold clothes or prepare lunch. So, how do you start encouraging your child to play independently?
Teach Toddlers to Play Independently and Stretch Patiently
To get your child Xi to playing independently, try this patient stretch. Patient stretching is one method I use to help teach young children to be patient and control their impulses… It’s also the basis for one of my favorite sleep training techniques, “flickering interruptions”, for kids who just don’t want to go to bed. With this method, you can gradually build up your child’s ability to wait… Or in this case, the ability to play independently.
Here’s how to use patient stretching to teach indie play: When your child asks you to play with them, start playing as you normally would. Then, halfway through the game, say “Oh! Mom forgot something, and I’ll be back right away. Then, turn around and pretend to do something for 5 seconds. Next, immediately turn around and praise the child, saying “Wow, the wait was amazing!” ”
Little by little, the wait time is lengthened longer and longer (10 seconds to 30 seconds to 60 seconds, etc.). If you practice this regularly, Xi your child will Xi used to playing without you.
Set a Timer to Teach Toddlers to Play Independently
Another way: use a timer. During the calm play, show your child how the timer works (“Mommy is coming back soon when Mr. Dinger jingles, and you can have a lot of fun while you wait for Mommy to come back!”). When the timer goes off, come back right away and give your child praise. Gradually increase the waiting time.
Resist the Urge to Disturb Your Child’s Independent Play
And, while training your child, you may also need to train… Yourself! When you see your child struggling, playing things the “wrong way”, ignoring toys you think they really like, or making a mess, you may find yourself tempted to insert yourself. Try to fight this instinct! The more you invest, the harder it will be for them to Xi playing independently. They may expect – or rely on – a sudden intervention from mom or dad.
While learning Xi play independently is a gradual process, it is a valuable skill for young children… And it’s also helpful for parents. Because when your child learns to tinker on their own… You can work on more and more to-dos!