Allowing a child to have time for solitary play (playing alone) brings many benefits to a child’s development into adulthood. The majority of us have busy lives that are structured in a manner that we need to accomplish everything that needs to be done each day. If you are unaware, your child experiences the same thing as well.
When you allow your child to have solitary play, it does not mean that you are neglecting your child, but this is rather a form of respect to your child. There is absolutely no reason your child needs to be playing with someone else all the time.
There are other benefits your child can experience in solitary play and here are some of them.
Gears! Gears! Gears! Super Set
Fat Brain Toys, $55.95 (Correct as of 05 August 2021)
Encourages imaginative thinking and logical planning for the Independent and curious Child.
Free Time
Yes, you may believe that you are the only one that needs free time so that you rejuvenate yourself after a challenging week, but so does your child. You may not see it, but your child needs free time just as much as you. When you feel overwhelmed with work, errands, and running a household, so does your child as he or she is being shuffled around each day and maybe even weekends.
Play22 Wooden Train Tracks
Walmart, $22.99 (Correct as of 05 August 2021)
Encourages Imagination and Engineering Skills through the Tracks Layout
Relaxation
You are not the only one that needs time to relax. Your little one is developing and learning a lot while also taking in the environment around him or her. He or she needs time with no adults to interfere in what he or she wants to play with. Adults tend to engage in too much conversation on what your child should be doing, and the rules that accompany playtime. Let your child relax in solitary play, and you may end up with a happier child.
Cognitive Skills
Solitary play allows your child to focus on one task at a time at his or her own pace. Working on one task at a time is sometimes best for your child’s development. Have toys available that can engage your child’s interests to move towards positive cognitive development. By challenging their own minds, children develop increased skills in the thought process – problem-solving, remembering, focus, and decision-making.
Play Pattern Puzzle – Octagon
Fat Brain Toys, $19.95 (Correct as of 05 August 2021)
Set of 72 wooden triangles and an octagonal tray for making geometric designs and encourages fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, planning, creativity.
Foster Independence
This is your ultimate goal in raising a child – the ability for him or her to be independent in this lifetime. As a child becomes content with solitary play, you are helping your child develop the skill of independence. Solitary play leads to more self-confidence that your child feels. Your child is able to have control over something that they usually don’t have a chance to do. And they will learn to occupy themselves and use their imagination to keep interested.
Develop Self-Esteem
Your child can learn to build self-esteem for themselves when they know or learn how to entertain themselves through Solitary Play and not having to turn to their parents when they are bored.
Develop Own Interests
Solitary Play lets your child to develop and learn about their own interests (what they like or don’t like during playtime) and this will help them to identify and mingle easily with other children (the first step to learning how to socialize with others) who share the same interests as them!