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Article 5 tips for encouraging independent play

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One of the best ways to grab some time to yourself and get things done (not to mention maintain a level of sanity) is to teach your preschoolers how to play independently.

Now before you think this is just more thing to add to your never-ending parenting “to-do” list, let me assure you that despite however hard it sounds, establishing an independent play routine can be easy and incredibly rewarding.

To prove it to you, here are 5 tips for encouraging independent play

1. Have regular “mummy” playtime

The real key to establishing independent play is to make sure you have regular times where you get down on your hands and knees and play too. They need and crave their time with you, and will always be happier to play independently when they know you will be coming back to play again soon.

As tempting as it can be to write out the shopping list, tidy up or even check your emails or social media during your playtime, put all distractions aside and give your full, undivided attention.

2. Get them started

Often preschoolers find it hard to decide what to play or how to start, so encourage them by helping them get started with toys and activities they can continue to play with independently.

You might help them put together their train tracks, build a city, make a sheet cubby, set up a craft or even a teddy bears picnic depending on what your kids enjoy.

3. Keep toys easily accessible

To promote independent play make sure all shelves, toy boxes and drawers are easy for little hands to open and reach without your help. Also ensure their toy areas are easy to navigate and that they know where all toy sets are kept.

4. Rotate toys regularly

Instead of having all their toys out at once keep some tucked away in plastic bins or boxes and rotate them regularly to keep play new and exciting. You can also rearrange their play area, moving furniture and bigger toys around (if space allows) and changing the location of toys in cupboards to give your kids a new place to explore.

5. Use a timer

If your kids are clingy and find it hard to play without you, consider using a timer to get a play routine started. Simply set the timer or buzzer to the desired length of independent playtime (you may want to start with five minutes and gradually increase) to help your kids learn when you will be back to play with them.

Very soon they will understand that you are in fact coming back and will be more settled to sit and play independently.

Do you have any tricks for getting your kids to play independently?

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Comments

  • I was lucky that all mine managed to play on their own. My oldest especially. He had no real choice but amuse himself when I was doing the housework or washing anyway, but when I just wanted to sit and do nothing, he would happily play on his own. He still does and he is nearly 10

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  • Some great tips that I might have to implement

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  • My son is sooo good at playing independently, but I think you have to be careful at how independent they get at it because when they start school it can be more of a challenge to mix with others and want to share with others as they get used to having it all to themselves.

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  • The timer idea is great. Also rotating toys is fantastic, kids get so excited over toys they haven’t seen for a while, its just as good as buying them something new.

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  • Thanks for sharing ,my bub doesn’t like independent play ,now I know I have to teach her play !

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  • Great tips, must try as my daughter used to always play independently but now all she wants is mummy to play with her, I shouldn’t complain because one day she won’t want to play with me anymore 🙁

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  • Both of my kids play very well independently, and I think this has a lot to do with me not coddling them. I get involved, but then encourage them to be creative and play alone or with each other. They have such great imaginations now.

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  • Rotating toys is essential to keep children interested & promoting independent play.

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  • Hide some toys in the wardrobe if your children have too many – when they are bored – give them back.

    • this is what I do. They seem more interested when they come out again.

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  • At frist get them to play near you ie if you are cooking dinner get them to sit at the kitchen bench and do some drawing or lego so it is their own activity but in the same room as you. So you are there but doing your own thing too.

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  • Excellent tips I would Love my Little boy to be able to play independently

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  • My daughter is happy to play on her own which is a lifesaver when I need to do washing or cooking!

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  • I always rotated toys my daughter had so many toys most of them just got pulled out but not played with. My house was a huge mess all the time. Every week we would pack up all her old toys and get a new box out.

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  • Some really great ideas here! I will definitely try the ‘buzzer’ technique…I think it is all too easy for kids to drift from one activity to the next without actually taking time to ‘play’ properly with each thing.
    I remember my mum rotating the toys for us – and it was like a new activity each time things were changed over.
    Must admit, I haven’t been great AT ALL at doing this…definitely something I should improve upon!

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  • some wonderful tips here great article

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  • great tips thanks for sharing.An interesting read

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  • Thank you very much for all the wonderful ideas..

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  • Oh isn’t it wonderful when kids can amuse themselves?! I find if I give my kids free run of the craft box it keeps them busy long enough for me to get some stuff done. Thanks for these tips

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  • rotating toys is fantastic- they get sooo excited and its like christmas all over again! my youngest loves to have some time on her own.

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  • im lucky that my 2 year old is very independent when playing she will happily go read a book well try anyway

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