The fireworks may be over, but the Summer of Independence is just beginning! Many parents worry about how to entertain their children during the summer months, but here’s a secret: You Don’t Have To!! A New York Times article states, “Independent play is a skill your kids will use for the rest of their lives — and a way to claim some time for yourself…”
This can be easier said than done though as some parents may be hesitant to give their child independence, or perhaps your child isn’t interested in playing on their own. An article from Active for Life has some great tips to try when introducing independence, appropriately titled How to Have a Summer Filled with Independence. Keep reading for more details from the article:
Start together, start small: this is geared toward children who might not feel comfortable playing on their own yet. Giving your child a few minutes of play together will most likely give them the confidence to play by themselves in the future.
Get creative with presentation of toys: we all know kids can get bored easily, especially if they’re playing with the same toys. Try breaking out an old one they haven’t seen in a while, or show them off differently. You can also get their imagination going by mixing toys together!
Go outside and make a mess: what child wouldn’t want to hear these words?! Messy play is engaging and FUN! On nice summer days, consider going outside to play with chalk or colored water! At the very least, you can take your work (or their chores) to do outside!
Create space for movement: whether it’s inside or outside, get your child moving! It doesn’t have to be a crazy adventure, there are plenty of ways to be entertained right in your own backyard! And for those rainy days: check out these resources from National Geographic and NASA that are full of videos and activities perfect to do indoors!
The most important thing is that your child feels comfortable playing on their own, and not like they have to figure things out themselves. Asking to see what they’ve been playing with or what they’ve been working on will still establish a connection.
Looking for even more tips? Check out this other article from Active for Life with Parent-Tested Tips to Help Kids Play by Themselves.
Will you be trying a Summer of Independence with your Child? Let us know your thoughts or other suggestions in the comments!
