When to Encourage Independant Play

It is always fun to set up an invitation to play for young children. It is enjoyable to encourage the means to an envisioned final product, but what are we doing other than teaching children how to follow directions? Knowing how to follow directions is a useful skill for life, but what about the ability to target and seek self taught skills? How exactly do we encourage children to learn to develop the ability to be self taught?

The important thing to remember is that children will teach themselves how to learn new skills, all we have to do as parents is to allow them the space to do so.

Encouraging free play and introducing new objects to their environment for them to explore independantly are the main ways to give your children space and to trust their inherant abilities.

It can be very rewarding to witness your children independently discover their own skills. At this point you can keep your distance and offer pointers to help your children master their newfound skills.

Example Activity 1:

Set up a space for your children at the kitchen table. Give them playdough or home made salt dough and a few safe kitchen tools that they are unaccustomed to.

Observe them and their explorative play as they try out new tools on the play dough.

Encourage young children with free play (younger children are still developing schemas and self confidence, and may be overwhelmed by too many suggestions). Older children may be receptive to suggestions and prompts about making representative objects out of the play dough, such as a bowl or animal.

Activity Example 2:

Plan a trip to a new playground or activity or enrichment center. It is important to choose a location where children can be hands on and engaged in the environment. When you go, make sure to choose the role of an observer as much as possible. Watch your child as they discover the new environment and discover their ability to explore their environment and enjoy the permission to interact with new things.

It will help you understand your role as a parent in a more concrete, defined way. This can help instill confidence in both you, and your child, as you embrace the security in knowing your role in confidence.

Allowing your child the right to explore can help you rediscover your own enjoyment and permission to explore and embrace your own inner child.