How to encourage independent play in a toddler?

I'm a SAHM and DD is 2.8 y/o. When we're home, she always wants to play with me, non-stop. As much as I love that, she no longer naps, so I need time to do personal stuff during the day like laundry, cooking, washing, etc. Plus, I would love a little down time to flip through a magazine! She starts preschool mid-September, so until that, it's just the 2 of us (all of her summer classes have finished).

I'm basically looking for advice and suggestions on how to foster independent play. Thanks!

Re: How to encourage independent play in a toddler?

what kind of toys do you have at home? I found with DD (she is 2.5), the small little toys she wants me (or someone) to play with her. But i got her bigger things (an art easel and a kitchen set) she will play on her own. I ask her...can you make mommy a picture? Can you make mommy some tea? Can you set up a picnic for me? And she usually does and will last for a while...eventually she gets bored and wants company.
If she gives me grief, i tell her mommy has to go potty so play until I come out...and i will "hide" in the bathroom until i think she is distracted enough for me to sneak back into the room and do whatever i need to do

Message edited 8/21/2015 10:01:30 AM.

Re: How to encourage independent play in a toddler?

Thanks for your response. We have a mixture of big and little toys, and do have a kitchen, easel, train set, etc. But even with those, she wants me to play with her. She'll set up a tea party for us, or ask me to draw with her. She just won't do things on her own. And when I legit have to go to the bathroom, she stands outside the door!

The only way I can get her to give me space is when she's watching TV, but I limit that to 2 30 minute shows per day.

Re: How to encourage independent play in a toddler?

For cooking, I use the TV.

For independent play, lego duplos are great and so are magnatiles and books and markers with coloring books. My DD will entertain herself with most of those activities. If I give her any of those, she will sit for a long time by herself and play.

However, the rest of the time she wants 100% attention.

Re: How to encourage independent play in a toddler?

How to encourage independent play in a toddler?

When I want alone time, I put DS1 in the high chair with some playdoh. He is out of the high hair otherwise, but we have it for DS2. It keeps him contained, and the only time I hear from him is if he needs a color change (he only gets one color at a time). I read a really cute article the other day about playing with your kids- it talked about how we forget how to play as adults and tips to engage in real play with our kids because really playing with them shows them how to play. Anyway, the article talks about the mom playing with her kids and then, in turn, them asking her to play with them a lot less. So, I guess to answer your question, try showing her how to play alone. Act out how you would play without her!

Re: How to encourage independent play in a toddler?

Dd just started very recently to play independently. Our girls are the same age. The following help:

-play-doh - she can play for hours with it
-when I give her something very specific to do ("Amelia, can you make mommy some pancakes in your kitchen?")
-she is recently obsessed with the disney princesses with the clip-on dresses. This is like the one thing she plays with for hours on her own, lining them up, dressing/undressing them

How to encourage independent play in a toddler?

My son is super active and always likes to be entertained by me but recently i came across two brands of toys that he seems to enjoy playing with independently- Tolo and Battat. I would check them out! Sometimes my son will easily play with one toy for a half hour which is rare since he is two years old and typically prefers to be running around.

Re: How to encourage independent play in a toddler?

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I just bought the magiclip dolls and battat take apart airplane. fingers crossed, these keep her occupied :)

Re: How to encourage independent play in a toddler?

DS is 2.5 and he recently started playing independently on his own. I don't think you can really force it so much. He LOVES blocks - like the lego duplo are his favorite - so he will play endlessly with them. Cars, trucks, trains and his kitchen are also big hits. We also have play-doh and he will make me "food" from it.

Re: How to encourage independent play in a toddler?

I just don't sit and play with them.
After a while, they play independently.
Both started to do it at about 2.5... So you are in the right time frame.