Teach Your Child To Play Alone

That is a well-known problem: contemporary parents, especially, moms, don’t have any free time. As a rule they have to cook, to feed, to wash and, of course, to play with their small children. The kid, who is playing alone, is it a dream or reality? Let’s discover together. 

 First steps

According to the specialists' point of view it is recommended to accustom the child to independent games beginning from the age of 5-6 months old. That is usually a period when the baby starts to be keenly interested in rattles.

Of course, this type of activity can't be compared with, for example, children's ride ons, which are really dangerous. But you may leave your baby for a few minutes on the carpet or inside a playpen with a pair of bright attractive toys.

You see, the baby will be studying them myself calm without any problems. Small children are able to touch the item, to bite it, to throw and to shade.

You should give him/her a great amount of toys. Why? - The matter is that at this age the child is able to focus on only one or two subjects. That is why it will be better to give the small quantity of them at once. - At the very beginning propose the baby first two things and then when your child will be tired of them, give the next ones. If you hear that a child is worried, go back to the room, play together a little, and then leave the premise for a while again.

How long does it last?

When the children are becoming older, the intervals for individual games can be increased. In order to entertain a toddler you can do the doll or car toys online shopping in order to get some new items for your home collection.

The specialists are sure that at the age of one year old the child is able to play alone really enthusiastically for half an hour, in two years old - an hour, and in three years - and from an hour and a half and up to two hours a day.

Of course, some games, for example, kids ride on toys should be performed under the adults' control. Periodically look quietly into the room and mind what the baby is doing. If you notice that the toddler is tired, draw his/her attention to another occupation, feed him/her or just let rest.

There is a common knowledge that for a child's play is not just entertainment, but the activity, which is able to take some energy and strength. That is why from time to time it is so important to make sure that the kid is not exhausted In addition, it is important to lead the children's game: to prompt new ideas, to demonstrate how to deal with these or other objects. In such a way you will be able to enrich the game "repertoire" and to make sure that the baby is not playing in fights, murders and other horrible and unpleasant situations.

If a child asks for help (for example, playing with construction set), be sure to help, otherwise the child will feel that in important situations, you do not come to save him/her. At the same time do the actions, the baby can not deal with alone and allow him/her to do the rest.

And, of course, don't control the game much!

After all mind that the excessive guardianship can also cause a protest, or, on the contrary, the child never learns to do without your help. It will eventually lead to loneliness and fear of insecurity.

A time for new opportunities

Teaching a child to independent games, it is important to interest him/her. The matter is that the children are enthusiastically engaged only in the activity that they are attracted to. Parents need to create an intriguing plot or to buy a bright toy. Certainly should show baby how to play with the new subject, to tell the rules of the game and to demonstrate a variety of different situations.

When a child learns your explanations, let him/her do it. But the first steps in the game he has to make under the supervision and guidance of a careful parent. Only when you see that the baby is copes and enjoys playing alone, quietly leave the child's bedroom. If a kid asks you to stay, you might say, for example "I am for a moment, I need to make a phone call" or "I'll wash dishes and come back soon." But be sure to come back! And after a while you may leave the room again. In such a way the child gradually gets used to play on his/her own.