Engaging with our children during playtime can create joyful memories and strengthen bonds. It’s a unique time to enter their world and see it through their eyes.
However, the importance of independent play in toddlers cannot be overstated. Free, unstructured, independent play is without a parent’s involvement; it can however, be a child playing alone or with others, and it doesn’t mean that it’s unsupervised.
This blog will help you understand the benefits of independent play in toddlers and how Melissa & Doug toys can inspire creativity and imagination during those times.
The Value of Independent Play
Young children are super-curious and look for opportunities to experiment freely and immerse themselves in their own imaginative world. This is critical for their development and growth. Independent play provides opportunities for little ones to practice problem-solving skills, develop concentration, self-confidence, patience and resilience, and it can unleash their innate creativity. In addition, independent play in toddlers and preschoolers can help a child begin to understand social skills such as sharing and personal boundaries.
Tips to Foster Independent Play
Make a Safe Space to Play
Again, independent play doesn’t mean unsupervised play. It’s important to set up a safe environment for your little one so that they’re comfortable and can play within earshot or even right near you. You can easily do this by arranging a little area of thearea the room with baby gates, giant cardboard blocks, an activity table, or play mats and rugs.
Curate a Selection of Open-Ended Toys
Melissa & Doug has the perfect selection of toys that encourage self-expression and open-ended play. Wooden blocks, puzzles, vehicle toys, and craft sets can be used in multiple ways, and encourage imaginative storytellingstory telling. Also, rotate toys and introduce them again every few weeks to keep things fresh.
Set up Visual Invitations to Play
By arranging toys in a specific way, or setting up a play scene, kids will be able to dive right in with their own scenario. For example, create a littlecreate little grocery store surrounded by play food sets, put stuffed animals or dolls near a doll house, set up an area for bowling, or a themed area such as vehicles, or dinosaurs.
Create Routine and Structure
Encouraging toddlers to engage in independent play isn’t about shooing them away to fend for themselves when you’re busy. By building routine and structure for this kind of activity, they’ll know what to expect at “independent playtime”; they’ll look forward to it and so will you. You can support this by creating special times such as “Musical Mondays” or “Farmyard Fridays”, or set up an easel and paints for “Art Time.”
Role Model Play Behavior
It can be helpful to give your child prompts or demonstrate a toy so they have somewhere to begin. Insert the first GO Tots disc, or place the first piece of a puzzle. You can also verbally prompt them by saying phrases such as, “I bet you’ll come up with something fun,” or “Surprise me,” or “What happens next?” Remember that all kids are at different stages of development, so be patient, give some guidance when necessary, and back away to let their imagination take over.
Transition from Guided Play to Independent Play
A slow withdrawal from guided play to independent play is the best way to go. The above section on prompts and modeling can help little ones grasp the idea with your help, and then move forward on their own. For example, you can start by creating a foundation together with building blocks and then suggest that they build the tower on their own, or take turns playing with the pounding bench, and then let them continue without you.
Embrace the Mess
Don’t forget that independent play is all about experimentation and creativity, so it can result in a bit of disorder. Try to embrace the mess as part of the joy, and recognize and celebrate your child’s engagement in independent play.
Independent, open-ended play can significantly contribute to a toddler’s growth and development, and Melissa & Doug toys can be valuable tools along this journey. The more you provide these types of opportunities the easier it’ll be. How have you celebrated and encouraged your child to engage in independent play? We’d love to hear from you!
Follow the links below for more great play-themed blogs from Melissa & Doug!
Toys that Grow with Your Child
5 Fundamental Skills You Can Teach Kids Through Play
Throw a Melissa & Doug Pizza and Ice Cream Party at Home!
Play That Helps Give ALL Kids the Confidence to Be Themselves
