

Making Independent Play Work for You and Your Child (Brilliant Examples From My Inbox)
11 snips Sep 30, 2025
Discover the power of self-directed play in children's lives! Parents share eye-opening experiences where allowing their kids to play independently led to joy and discovery. Learn practical guidelines to encourage independent play at home. From a nine-month-old's exploration of a safe space to a three-year-old's inventive play with everyday objects, each story highlights the profound benefits of unstructured time. Janet addresses the importance of stepping back to let your child thrive creatively, ensuring happiness and development.
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Prioritize Play Daily
- Value play by making it a routine priority and default during in-between moments of the day.
- Develop a predictable play routine so children can anticipate and engage without constant adult prompting.
Create Safe 'Yes' Spaces
- Create safe, boundaryed "yes" spaces so children can explore without constant supervision or repeated "no."
- Use boundaries to free children to play independently rather than as restrictions.
Trust Their Inner Direction
- Trust your child’s inner direction and resist interrupting their flow with adult suggestions.
- Observe more and intervene less so play truly belongs to the child.