In early childhood, children are building the foundations of creativity, problem-solving and confidence that will carry them through the next phases in their development. During this important time in their lives, independent play can be extremely beneficial. Encouraging children to explore and engage with their environment on their own plays a vital role in their growth. Here’s a deeper look into independent play and the benefits it has for young children:
What is Independent Play?
Independent play is a type of unstructured, self-led play that children participate in with minimal direction or supervision from adults. Parents should be nearby, of course, to ensure the child’s safety, but independent play is all about giving children the opportunity to choose how to play with their toys, use their imagination and spend their time. While independent play existed long before the Montessori Method, an early childhood education approach centered on self-guided exploration and hands-on learning, the widespread influence of this method has contributed to its popularity.
Independent play looks different for children depending on their age and developmental stage. Babies as young as six months can enjoy independent play, even if it’s just for a few minutes, exploring a new rattle or toy. Toddlers and preschoolers gradually build longer attention spans, with independent play sessions reaching up to 30 minutes as they get older. Each child is different, and their independent play grows as their ability to focus increases.
Fostering Creativity and Imagination
There are no parameters or set rules when it comes to independent play. The child is free to explore their surroundings without having to meet certain expectations or follow certain guidelines. This allows them to let their imaginations run wild. There’s also a lack of judgment or opinions from others, which helps them feel free to let their creativity shine. In their world, they create the rules, characters and stories on their time and on their terms.
Developing Problem-Solving Skills
One of the main benefits of independent play is the child-led learning that occurs. Without the disruption or interference of others, including parents, siblings or friends, they’re able to freely explore cause and effect. For example, if they build a tower with blocks and it falls over, as they try again, they’ll naturally learn why the tower fell and how to avoid it in the future. Independent play allows children to experiment, make mistakes and figure out solutions on their own. This is key not only for developing problem-solving skills, but also for building critical thinking skills and perseverance.
Building Confidence and Independence
Independent play is all self-led, which empowers children to make choices, trust their instincts and enjoy time alone in a healthy way. It also helps children learn that they can handle challenges on their own without constant supervision or direction. This confidence and self-regulation are invaluable to their later development, affecting how they perform academically and behave in social situations.
How Parents Can Encourage Independent Play
While the goal of independent play is to have as little parent involvement as possible, parents still need to prepare the environment. The first step is to create an area free of hazards where children can play safely on their own. This play area should have plenty of open-ended toys, like blocks, dolls, animal figures, puzzles and art supplies, that can be used in several different ways.
Once parents have created the space, all they need to do is step back and give their child the freedom to explore and express themselves. This often means parents will have to resist the urge to step in and make corrections. Independent play is about minimal interruption. Parents will also need to manage expectations by starting small. At first, children may only have the attention span for a few minutes of independent play, and that’s okay. Over time, their focus will grow and they’ll be able to spend more time playing independently.
Lake Forrest Prep is a K-8 private school that recognizes that independence and curiosity begin in early childhood. We nurture these qualities in the classroom through hands-on learning experiences that empower children to explore their interests and their surroundings. Learn about our preschool curriculum here or call (407) 331-5144 to schedule a tour of our campus!