How to Increase Independent Play in Toddlers

Mackenzie is 2.5 years old & she’s just starting to play independently. I wanted to share some of my tips that’s I’ve been using over the past few months. She also started school back in September & I also think this has helped dramatically.

• Modeling – Kids watch everything we do so modeling play is something they can watch and learn from.
• Giving her the space to play– Allowing her the time to play the way she wants to play. I set up a camera in the play area so I can be in the room right next door doing things like dishes or cleaning up, but I can still watch her play & make sure she’s safe.
• Not saying too much while I’m around– This goes back to giving her the space to play. That doesn’t always mean I leave her alone to play, but that I follow her lead when playing and I try my best not to interject my ideas onto her. This can be super help in dramatic play (ie: kitchen, dress up, racing cars, playing with baby dolls, etc.)
• Dramatic play– This is a great area for them to work on independent play skills. Some ways to work on this are playing with a baby doll, driving cars around a car mat, cooking in a play kitchen. These are all ways you can play with them at first, but then they build up their play skills enough to play on their own.
• Sensory play– Sometimes sensory play can be MESSY, but it can also be the best for them to play independently. As long as you set up a space where they can be safe & make a mess then you might actually get a few minutes of independent play. Work on cleaning up skills AFTER they’ve got the independent play down.
• Focus on their interests– Having things your kiddo is super interested is also really helpful if you’re looking for them to play on their own. Right now Mackenzie is super into Gabby’s Dollhouse, puzzles, stickers, cooking in her play kitchen, & these are all things she can do on her own for even just a few minutes. Those few minutes will eventually lead to longer periods of time.
• Clean up can be taught later!– This is my last tip! Sometimes it might seem important to clean up in the moment, right when they are done with something, but if you’re looking to increase their independent play time, bothering them to clean up can lead to push back. Clean up skills can always be learned later on, but to me working on independent play skills is a more important skill than cleaning up.

These are just a few ideas to help your little one play more independently!