Toddlers often get into the habit of requiring Mom or Dad to provide constant entertainment. This is a frustrating situation for you as a parent because you feel like you can't ever do anything - and it's not good for your little ones, either. It's beneficial for children to learn to play on their own.
Toddlers need a lot of supervision and safety is always the first concern. As you decide to start teaching your child to play independently, put some thought into where they'll play. You may want to teach your child to play for a period of time near you. This is natural and children have been doing it through the ages.
Playard Baby
Provide your child with simple toys and you'll find he or she will often be happy imitating you. You'll notice your child pretending to talk on the phone, stir things and "cook," fold laundry, wipe up spills, etc. Toddlers naturally love to imitate.
Another option is to have your child play in a child-safe area. With a young toddler I recommend a playpen or their crib. You'll be putting a few toys in there, and it's a safe, secure area for them. We have a playpen that only gets used once a day on the weekdays - our toddler uses it for a thirty-minute playtime so I know he's safe.
You can set up a child safe room for an older toddler or a preschooler. Keep a baby monitor in the room if it's outside your line of vision, and double check each time you're ready for your child to play to make sure all baby-proofing and child-proofing measures are still sound.
I recommend for a small toddler that you choose a few baby toys they're fond of. Keep these put away except for their independent play time. For an older toddler or preschooler you can pick one, more complex, toy (such as toy cars, a doll playset, or Duplo blocks). Have a selection of different toys and give them a different toy each day. One idea is to offer the same toy every weekday - so on Mondays your child plays with Duplo blocks, on Tuesdays dinosaurs, on Wednesdays play food and plates, etc.
When you first have your child start playing independently show how excited you are that they get to have "alone time."
Some very clingy toddlers won't like this at all. Others will be delighted with the new toys. Remember to keep toys put away and every now and add again you can add new toys. This a great use for excess holiday and birthday gifts you may be flooded with.
If your child is one who is clingy I recommend you start small. Set a timer for five minutes and assure them you'll be right back. When the timer goes off, help them clean up and come back in the room. Be cheerful and tell them what a big boy or girl they are. When they're tolerating the five minutes well, work up to ten minutes and so forth.
Thirty minutes is a reasonable independent playtime for the young child. If you're having your child play on their own in the playpen or child-proof room, keep it at thirty minutes maximum. If your child is playing near you as you work, however, you can let them keep playing as long as they're content. If you see your child start to get frustrated it may be a sign that a change in activity is a good idea - but once they get used to playing independently near you, many children are happy to do so for long periods of time.
Cyber Monday Graco Element Pack 'N Play Playard with Bassinet, Splash 2011 Deals
Dec 06, 2011 09:49:54
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Cyber Monday Graco Element Pack 'N Play Playard with Bassinet, Splash Feature
- Removable full-size bassinet with quilted bumper pad provides cozy nap-time space
- Changing table for quick diaper duty
- Push-button fold makes folding easy to store and transport in handy carry bag
- Folding feet for a more compact fold
- Electronics module with songs and soothing sounds
Cyber Monday Graco Element Pack 'N Play Playard with Bassinet, Splash Overview
Perfect for traveling, The sleek styled Element mesh-sided Pack 'n Play playard sets up in less than a minute. We're sure that the Pack 'n Play playard will quickly become one of you and your baby's favorite Graco products. This Pack 'n Play playard comes with a full-size bassinet with comfy quilted mattress pad, a great place for infants up to 15 lbs to nap peacefully and drift off to dreamland with the nature sounds or music from the electronics unit or just gaze happily at the soft, detachable toys hanging from the included mobile. The changing station supports babies weighing less than 25 lbs. and the parent organizer holds many of your diaper changing essentials. A convenient travel bag is also included - just fold the Pack 'n Play playard , stow it in the bag, and you and your little one are off to see the world. Night light included.SAVE NOW on Cyber Monday offers below!
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| This Cyber Monday Graco Element Pack 'N Play Playard with Bassinet, Splash ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. |
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