Parents everywhere may find it hard to encourage their children to play on their own when they’re older, but if they start sooner, kids end up becoming more independent. Starting as infants, children learn to grab, reach, and move their muscles to explore the big people world. Find out how to encourage independent play in babies and toddlers and the best toys to buy.
What’s Independent Play?
While children are encouraged to learn independently in school, they are inspired to do the same with playtime. As a parent, you need a guide to help you motivate your children to play alone, even while you’re busy.
It might seem scary at first to let your child entertain themselves for a few minutes, but it’s actually perfectly normal, and you’re OK to do this! However, keep a baby monitor nearby so you can hear them, and stay in the next room.
Why Is Independent Play Important?
A child playing by themselves helps them grow and discover what toys they like best, but also develops essential skills, such as taking turns and problem-solving. Also, they learn imaginary play. Imaginary play develops story-telling skills and allows a child to be creative with what games they play.
Additionally, it’s essential for children to learn about boundaries; as you get back to your daily routine, children know that it’s time for alone time. Alone time is great for both parent and child as they learn independence.
How To Foster Independent Play
Fostering independent play is essential to a child’s development. They learn that being independent and having alone time is beneficial for themselves as they can dive into their favorite games to play, discover hobbies, and develop their skills more.
Also, it’s a great thing for parents to have their own me-time as well, and children do learn to respect that as they grow. Find out more about developing independent play in kids below.
Teach Them How To Play
The first thing that helps is teaching kids how to play. It seems strange to instruct kids how to play on their own, but once they get the hang of it the first few times, they’ll start to enjoy it. First, give your child time to cope with the concept of playing without you. Then, teach them games and toys they can play with, like dolls, blocks, and more.
Give Them Age-Appropriate Toys
It is recommended that you give your child appropriate toys; since infants and toddlers are still small, it’s best to provide them with silicone toys as it’s not made from harmful chemicals, and the toys don’t have choking hazards. You can sort toys and shop by age here.
Mix Up the Location
Even when working in one room could grow dull, playing in the same environment every day gets boring. If you need to clean up the living room one day, have your child play there, and then the next day, set them up in their bedroom while you sort their clothes and make their bed.
Give Them Your Undivided Attention
Children get excited when they do something on their own so much, they stop what they’re doing to grab your attention. When this does happen, make sure to pay attention. Even if it’s not to show you something they did, you should still give them your full attention. The more interest you give, the more willing they are to play by themselves throughout the day.
Create Time Limits
Every parent needs time to get tasks done throughout the day. Toddlers and babies don’t understand the time limit system that well, but it’s your time to teach. So, for babies, when they need attention, try stepping out of their line of sight and peak behind the corner a few times to let them know you’re still there.
As for a toddler, you can talk to them and set a timer for a few minutes so you can do a chore and they play by themselves. The more often you use timers, the more willing a toddler would be alone. Once the timer goes off, return to your child and continue playing.
Make Playing a Routine
One of the better ways to continue encouraging toddlers and infants to independently play is by making it a habit. Habits form into a routine that makes sense for your child. They are more willing to negotiate how playtime goes day-to-day by sticking to a schedule.
Different Toys for Infants and Toddlers To Play With
While kids learn to play on their own, it’s a good idea to start thinking about the best toys to buy for your infant or toddler. We have provided a list of toys for each age group.
Toys for Infants
An infant likes looking around at anyone that moves. At the newborn stage, and up to six months, babies like looking at faces and bright colors. They’re often keen to observe behaviors and actions, while also wondering why their feet and hands move the way they do.
At about 7 to 12 months, babies are on their bellies, moving and wiggling around wherever and whenever possible. At this age, you can buy toys that are soft and non-breakable.
Toys you can consider buying for 7 to 12-month-olds:
- Wooden cars
- Soft foam blocks
Once a baby reaches one, their world opens a little more, with toys that are soft and washable. At this point, they may like books with songs or prefer phones that mimic real ones. Babies learn imaginative play at this age. Find baby toys HERE.
Some toys to think about for a 1-year-old:
- Toy phone
- Illustration books
- Balls
Best Toys for Toddlers
Toddlers are curious observers and players. They find joy in anything they do, and they learn quite a few life lessons at this time. At about the age of 2, kids test their boundaries and learn to problem-solve. Find Toddler toys HERE.
Here are toys 2-year-olds will love:
- Picture books
- Crayons and paper pads
- Larger toys
Best Toys for Preschool - K
Between 3 and 6 years old, children are ready for kindergarten and preschool. At this age, they’re learning more about the world around them, while also doing the most through play. Take the time to offer educational toys for your kids to play with; everything from toy animals to memory card games, these games add more engagement for children to do on their own and with groups. Find Preschool toys HERE and Kindergarten toys HERE.
Kids at this age range love dramatic, small world play, pretend play, and building sets. They also are beginning to enjoy interactive games.
Encourage playtime in children every day; independent play teaches children how to discover what toys they love most and learn to enjoy “me” time. Come play along with Safari Ltd., as we offer incredible selections of educational toys for all kids of all ages to enjoy.
Benefits of Independent Play
Independent play is more than just a form of entertainment. It serves as a very significant driver in a child's development. It also boosts creativity, problem solving, self-regulation, and cognitive growth.
A child’s creative potential really comes alive during independent play. Children, when left to their own devices, may make up stories, create imaginary worlds, and venture into ideas that they might not have had in more structured settings.
For example, a toddler given building blocks could play by stacking them or knocking them down. They learn how to balance things and what gravity does to objects.
Problem-solving also becomes a part of this process. It can be learned from playing independently in a playground, solving how to fit a piece in a puzzle, or even just arranging toy animals. Through play, children are challenged to think and try different solutions.
In addition to creativity and problem-solving, independent play offers a child self-regulation. Children learn to regulate their emotions and frustrations when things don't go as they had planned. This builds resilience as they find out they can overcome obstacles themselves.
Equally important is the child’s cognitive development. While playing alone, children enhance their memory, attention, and spatial awareness – all features contributing to their overall intellectual development.
Age-Specific Independent Playtime
The time children can occupy themselves independently while playing greatly varies from one age to another. Knowing what to expect at the various stages in early childhood can make it a bit easier for parents who want to foster independent play.
- Infants (0-6 months): In this age bracket, infants can play alone for a short period of time, which usually ranges from 5 to 10 minutes. A mobile or a play gym that has just enough toys within their reach will be perfect to keep them occupied.
- Babies (6-12 months): Babies grow more curious. Therefore, they can stay alone for longer, about 15 minutes. Exploratory toys, like soft blocks or simple puzzles, will mesmerize babies of this age.
- Toddlers (1-2 years): In the case of toddlers, independent playing can be done for about 15 to 20 minutes or so. It is at this stage of development when children first start to appreciate play activities like block stacking or coloring.
- Preschoolers (3-4 years): With increased practice, preschoolers become capable of sustaining longer independent play, as long as 30-40 minutes. This is especially the case if the child is deeply involved with imaginative play using action figures, dolls, or art supplies.
What to Do When Your Child Won’t Play Independently
For some children, it will be challenging to play independently and not seek the attention of their parents or other family members. Some children just don’t enjoy playing independently. It’s not something parents should take personally. Still, there are ways in which you can help your child gradually get used to playing independently.
Start with short lengths of time. Encourage independent play for 5 to 10 minutes while you stay nearby. Be sure to praise and encourage them if they initiate independent playing with their toys.
Gradually increase the play time as they get more comfortable. Another good tactic is rotating toys. Sometimes, new or forgotten toys can ignite a spark and make independent play more inviting.
You can also make a special play area where the child knows they can freely play. Creating a routine makes children more secure since they know when the time for independent play is coming.
The Role of Adults in Independent Play
Supervising a child without over-managing their independent play requires balance. Independent play does not mean you should leave your child utterly alone. While they play, it is your job to be present, keeping them safe yet not stepping in to direct the play.
Remaining nearby allows children to feel secure in their curiosity and independent exploration. You do not necessarily need to intervene unless your child wants some help or gets frustrated.
Instead, reassure them with a smile or word of praise, allowing them to work out the problem. It is this sort of balance that encourages independence but reassures your child that you are there for support.
Open-ended Play
Open-ended toys and activities are important elements in independent play for children. They inspire creativity. These toys are not made for any specific purpose or "right" way to play, which therefore allows imagination and free thinking in children.
Examples of open-ended toys include blocks, art supplies, dolls, and animal figurines. The blocks can become anything: a house, a bridge, or even a spaceship. Dolls or animal figurines can be used to act out stories, encouraging narrative thinking and creative expression.
Connection Between Independent and Other Types of Play
Independent play complements other forms of play, including parallel and cooperative play. During parallel play, children will simply play next to each other with no direct interaction, which is a step toward independent play. Cooperative play involves interacting with others in order to work together to achieve a common goal, such as building something or playing a game as a team.
Both forms of play are important for social development. However, independent play provides the opportunity for kids to develop a sense of self. That is to say, it teaches them that they can entertain themselves, solve problems themselves, and enjoy being alone.
Strategies for Encouraging Independent Play
Encourage playtime by preparing an area for free play. This should be a safe, comfortable place that you fill up with stimulating toys. It could be something as simple as designating one part of your living room with a soft mat, pillows, and toys.
Try regularly rotating toys to encourage independent play. Keeping only a few toys out at a time can keep your child from getting overstimulated and maintain freshness in the play area.
Another strategy involves building independent play into your daily routine. Setting aside time every day for independent play can help kids view it as a usual part of their days, increasing the likelihood of them engaging.
Independent Play is Not Unsupervised Play
Note: Independent play does not mean playing unsupervised. Even as your child is playing independently, you should stay close to them for support and safety. That way, you give children the chance to explore their environment, yet they are not left with a sense of isolation that could undermine their confidence.
By supervising without interrupting the play process, children develop a sense of autonomy. When a child struggles over something, for instance, try not to help immediately. Give them a minute to do things on their own. The balance will make them solution-oriented without giving them the impression that you lack confidence in them.
How Independent Play Changes as Children Grow
Independent play is concurrent with a child's development. Infants may reach for a toy or texture to play independently. Later, toddlers become more imaginative and interactive by imitating and enacting scenarios with dolls, plush animals, or figurines.
Higher-order, imaginative play is displayed by preschool kids. They create elaborate narratives. They also take on more varied activities like art projects, structure building, and role-playing games.
The Importance of Play Environment
When you offer an ideal environment for independent play, you are helping your child develop a number of valuable skills. A well-organized playroom where toys are easy to access can trigger independent play when the child has the whim. Keep it simple and clutter-free, since too many toys can be overstimulating to young children.
You can also add some toys that work on developing a child's creativity and problem-solving skills, like blocks, puzzles, and art supplies. The space should be safety-proofed, allowing the child to move around with little interference.
If kids have one place for their play, they will feel secure and maintain their attention on one thing during the time of independent playing.
Independent Play Promotes Confidence and Autonomy
One of the greatest rewards from independent play are skills in autonomy and self-confidence. By independently playing, children get to learn how to make decisions, solve problems, and direct activities. This sense of independence nurtures self-confidence because children come to realize that they can do things for themselves.
By building independent play into your child's regular routine, you allow them to develop these skills, which will continue to serve them throughout their lives.
Independent Play in Child Development Theories
The importance of independent play is further supported by child development theories. In the theory of cognitive development proposed by Jean Piaget, much emphasis is placed on exploration and active learning about the world. According to Piaget, children learn about the world best while playing because they are able to experiment in order to make sense of their environments.
Another theoretical framework that zeroes in on the importance of play in child development is the social development theory by Lev Vygotsky. He postulates that through interaction with the environment, children learn new things. Such interaction during play enhances their cognitive and social capabilities. Independent play gives them just the right avenue to practice self-initiated learning, thus applying to both these influential theories.