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Encouraging Tips to Make Babies Play Independently - Benefits and Parent's Role.

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Playtime does not just keep the young ones occupied but also plays a significant role in improving their developmental skills like problem-solving and much more.

Written by

Dr. Ssneha. B

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Veerabhadrudu Kuncham

Published At February 23, 2023
Reviewed AtFebruary 23, 2023

Introduction:

Parents might enjoy playing with their kids, but new parent can spend hours together playing with their children. Allowing kids to play independently helps them to explore the world around them and learn new skills through trial-and-error methods. This sharpens their concentration and improves their learning capability. Likewise, the wake time of babies should not just include the wake-feed-sleep routine but rather create opportunities for them to learn.

How Does Playtime Benefit Children?

Playing enables kids to develop their cognitive (mental functions and abilities), physical, social, emotional, and creative skills. For example, when a child repeats rhymes or interacts with children of their age, they develop their communication and language skills. Similarly, if a child tosses and catches the ball themselves, they develop hand-eye coordination in addition to gross motor skills (a function which involves specific movements of the body’s muscles to perform a task).

What Is A Free Play?

Free play is a play in which a child is liberal to decide the type of play, play materials, play area, and plot. This enhances their imaginative and creative skills. Few kids prefer playing with toys, while others prefer playing outdoor games. Each child has creativity, and parents must allow them to express themselves.

What Are The Benefits Of Independent Play?

Independent play promotes the following benefits:

  • Helps to retrospect and learn from their mistakes.
  • Allows them to explore their surroundings and become self-dependent.
  • Increases their concentration.
  • Helps to analyze their interests.
  • Being creative.
  • Since they are independent, it will enhance their problem-solving capability.
  • Gain confidence when they succeed in an activity and feel that they have achieved something without being judged or compared.
  • Self-play enables self-regulation as it helps to build patience, emotions, and self-reliance. This is reflected in activities such as learning to wait patiently in a queue, being organized and having a relaxed sleep.

What Is The Ideal Age To Promote Independent Play?

Children should never be compelled to play independently. A calm, laid-back child might be more willing to play independently than a hyperactive child. Independent play, depending on age, is as follows:

  • Infants who are six months old can play independently for five minutes.
  • Infants who are one year old may be occupied in independent play for 15 minutes.
  • Kids of 1.5 years may be interested in self-play for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Kids of two years may be engaged in self-play for about 30 minutes.

How Can Parents Help Children With Self-Play?

Parents can be supportive to encourage independent play in their kids in the following ways:

  • Safe Play Area: As much as promoting self-play is important, it is equally important to ensure that the kids' play area is devoid of any objects which could be hazardous. A specific area should be assigned as a ‘play area’ so that the children can feel independent in their area and consider it to be their own.
  • Be With Them Initially: The child will feel insecure if they are let to play alone suddenly. So, parents can play with the child for a while, go away for a few minutes and return to reassure the child. As the kid ages, parents can be away for a longer duration but ensure that they check on the child often for their safety.
  • Choosing Correct Play Materials: Instead of providing toys that glow and make sounds, children can be offered creative play materials like building blocks, remote cars, stuffed toys, cardboard boxes of various sizes, balls, or art materials.
  • Appropriate Toys: The kids must be offered a few toys to stay interested, and they must be given toys suitable for their age. Play materials that are too challenging can involve parents' help, and the child might develop a dislike.
  • Schedule The Playtime: A play time must be fixed, so the child gets into a daily routine. The parents should remind the child during playtime and reassure them that they will be nearby and can be called whenever needed.
  • Let Them Choose: Let kids decide what and how they want to play for that day.
  • Stay Close: Being within the child’s visible range makes them feel secure and helps them to focus on their play.
  • Do Not Comment: Though a few words of encouragement can motivate the kids, they can get distracted when interrupted. They can be encouraged for their good behavior in the end. But, if they need help with any play item, parents can give them small clues to help them move forward but not often.
  • Push Through Boredom: It is natural for kids to get bored with a particular toy after some time. They must avoid seeing mobile phones or other electronic gadgets to keep them engaged. Instead, they should be offered choices of other play materials and be asked to choose one from them.
  • New Everyday: Introducing exciting things in the play area can make kids curious to lay hands on them. A toy inside a colorful bag or building blocks arranged in a specific order can trigger their curiosity.
  • Feedback: Giving feedback about their playtime can make the kids happy, feel proud of their efforts, and be motivated to do better the next day or during the next play session.
  • Other Chores: Playtime need not be confined to playing with play materials alone. The child can be assigned small household tasks, like carrying a spoon or a bowl or picking up vegetables and fruits. This makes them feel they have contributed something and enables them to learn simultaneously.

How To Deal With A Child Who Refuses To Be Alone?

Initially, when a child is left alone, they can develop separation anxiety. Parents can overcome this by playing with them for a while, moving out, and returning after a few minutes. This reassures them that their parents will be back shortly and helps them feel secure. In the long run, they will slowly get obsessed with their toys and play items and not expect their parents to be with them. If they cry when the parent leaves them, the parent can soothe them with their voice, saying they will be back in a while and should continue playing. Parents must avoid rushing to the child, and with time the kids will realize that it is safe to be on their own.

Should Parents Be Guilty About Independent Play?

It can be hard for parents to see their kids play alone, but they must be reminded about the benefits of letting them play alone. Self-play induces a positive learning experience and promotes developmental skills.

Conclusion:

Encouraging independence in a child makes them feel content, capable, and efficient. Self-play is the best method to promote independence in children. When they learn to play on their own and explore their surroundings, it instills the same confidence when they do other tasks. Self-play should be a fun-filled time and should not be forced. If the child is upset or tired on a particular day, they should be allowed to skip the playtime, and they can get back to it later.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

What Is an Independent Play?

Independent play is also referred to as solitary play. It helps the child to express themselves in their own unique way depending on the situation they are exposed to. Each child has their own unique way of expressing their creativity.

2.

Why Would Not My Baby Play Alone?

If the child is used to the comfort and safety provided by the parents, then the child may show reluctance for independent play. Being patient and encouraging the child to play alone will improve the situation.

3.

Should the Baby Be Entertained Throughout the Day?

One need not entertain and interact with the child all the time. The child actually needs a balance between independent playtime and interactive play. This helps them improve their creativity and makes them independent and confident.

4.

How Does One Encourage Free Play?

The parents can encourage free play by:
- Ensure that the child is playing in a safe environment where the kid can explore, and there is no danger of any potential hazards.
- Give one’s ears to the child's needs and plan accordingly so that the child has everything they need to play around them.
- Develop a bonding activity by engaging with the child.
- Give some hints and help the child without directly involving in the activity.

5.

Is It Normal for a Six-Month-Old to Not Want to Play Alone?

Yes, it is normal for a six-month-old not to want to play alone. They are too young to be involved in free play for a longer time.

6.

How Many Hours a Day Should a Baby Play?

Babies should be involved in play daily. As per the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommendation, a child should get involved in at least one hour of free play with supervision and half an hour of interactive structured play.

7.

What Happens if a Baby Is Bored?

Babies have a shorter attention span, and so may get bored easily. They may show signs like yawning, crying, looking around, or squirming when they get bored. This can be overcome by changing their play area, doing something interesting, or even giving them some quiet time.

8.

What Happens if a Child Does not Play?

Lack of play can have the following effects:
- Decreased creativity and imagination.
- Make the kid insecure and shy.
- Makes the child less independent.
- Reduced social skill development.
- Improper emotional development.

9.

At What Age Do Most Children Prefer to Play Alone?

Children's play changes as they grow:
- Unoccupied Play- Up to three months from birth, the child involves in unoccupied play, in which they learn to move.
- Solitary Play- During the period from birth to two years, the child engages in solitary play in which the child plays again.
- Spectator- Children observe others playing, but do not play with them.
- Parallel Play- In this stage, the child plays alongside other kids but does not play with them.
- Associate Play and Cooperative Play- Child interacts and plays with others.

10.

Is Independent Play Good for Babies?

Independent play has the following benefits:
- Improves imagination and creativity.
- Build confidence.
- Improves problem-solving skills.
- Helps discover their skills and talents.
- Make them independent.

11.

What Happens if the Parent Does Not Play With the Baby?

Play-deprived children end up engaging in repetitive activities which reduces their social involvement. They fail to develop a sense of belonging and often have a negative reaction to circumstances. They tend to develop lower resilience, tolerance, and empathy and are often hyper-reactive to criticism.

12.

How Does One Develop Play Skills?

Child’s play skills can be improved by:
- Engaging in the child’s play activities.
- Choosing different play locations.
- Trying to find out the child’s interests and what they like to play.
- Being face-to-face with the child while playing.
- Showing the child what they can do with the toy.

13.

Do Babies Get Bored Quickly?

Babies have a shorter attention span, and so may get bored easily. They may show signs like yawning, crying, looking around, or squirming when they get bored. This can be overcome by changing their play area, doing something interesting, or even giving them some quiet time.

14.

What Are Child-Initiated Activities?

Child-initiated activities are those activities that are solely chosen and initiated by the child. They originate or begin these activities with the resources available to them. The adults may participate in these activities, but it is initiated and led by the children.
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Dr. Veerabhadrudu Kuncham
Dr. Veerabhadrudu Kuncham

Pediatrics

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