Independent play is an important skill for your child to develop, and with so many parents working from home, now is a great time to help them master it https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤸🏼‍♀️" title="Woman cartwheeling (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Woman cartwheeling (medium light skin tone)"> (a thread) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/03/parenting/kids-independent-play-coronavirus-quarantine.html?smid=tw-nytparenting">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/0...
1. Start small. Three hours of independent play isn’t realistic out of the gate, especially for a child who isn’t used to playing on their own. @thefamilycoach recommends going for 5 to 10 minutes at first https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🕑" title="Clock face two oclock" aria-label="Emoji: Clock face two oclock">
2a. Before your kid can be independent, they need to know you have their back. @larjack1 recommends starting with just 20 minutes of playtime with you. No phones or distractions https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🧘🏽‍♀️" title="Woman in lotus position (medium skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Woman in lotus position (medium skin tone)">
2b. When the 20 minutes are up, give them a hug and tell them you loved watching them play, then go do your own thing. Chances are, they’ll keep at what they’re doing https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="☺️" title="Smiling face" aria-label="Emoji: Smiling face">
3. Create an #invitationtoplay. “It’s one of the best tricks of the trade,” says @ParentingJunkie. Put “spotlights” on toys by setting them up in an unexpected way, like three dolls having a tea party, and then let your kids stumble upon them https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🍵" title="Teacup without handle" aria-label="Emoji: Teacup without handle">
4. Make room for mess. You may want to avoid paint, sand, clay, beads or water because they& #39;re inconvenient. But, @ParentingJunkie recommends tactile play because it& #39;s soothing and will keep them engaged for a long time https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎨" title="Artist palette" aria-label="Emoji: Artist palette">
5. Build a movement zone so your kids can use their bodies (read: tire themselves out.) Clear away furniture, then pile in soft things — pillows, cushions, yoga mats, sleeping bags — and let them go wild https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤪" title="Zany face" aria-label="Emoji: Zany face">
6. Build connection into the independent play so your kids don’t feel like you’re shutting them out. Challenge them to create a piece of art for you, or come up with a surprise for another adult in the home so you stay involved, even if it’s just on the sidelines https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👏🏼" title="Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Clapping hands sign (medium light skin tone)">
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