Comments on: Screen Free Quiet Time Ideas that Encourage Independent Play

By: Katelyn Fagan

Katelyn Fagan — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 02:27:37 +0000

In reply to Rebekah. Ha. Yeah, that is the question, isn't it? If your backyard is fenced and safe, I would say go for it. Or have him play in the playroom or somewhere with the door closed. I know some kids are just social, but they should also learn how to play independently at least for some period of time. Good luck!

By: Rebekah

Rebekah — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 19:08:40 +0000

So my issue is getting my 3.5-year-old son to play or create without my attention. He loves to play play play but hardly ever alone. Even sitting at my side doing projects he is SO distracting. Forget being on the phone. Is it kosher to just lock him in the backyard for a while?

By: Katelyn Fagan

Katelyn Fagan — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 15:26:32 +0000

In reply to Jenny. Great idea for lent!

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 14:54:13 +0000

Great post. Every year we give up the television for Lent. Even though we watch little television, I’m always amazed at the creativity sparked in my children by No television.

By: Katelyn Fagan

Katelyn Fagan — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 00:29:00 +0000

In reply to Sadia. Both of my girls have been skipping naps now, and they do always play together. But, I am thankful they generally both can find something quiet to do for a few hours.

By: Sadia

Sadia — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 18:58:53 +0000

My twins are now 8, and only in the last year or so have they shown any interest in playing alone. J’s preference is to go outside and run around in the backyard or jump on the trampoline. M prefers to avail herself of the crafting supplies that are freely available to them.

I had a similar challenge when I was working from home and had two hours to put in every day between the children’s return home from school and the end of my workday. That was definitely one of those times that I took full advantage of that tired twin truism: They always have each other to play with!

By: Katelyn Fagan

Katelyn Fagan — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 15:24:44 +0000

In reply to Nina. Love it! Very cute. We have MegaBlocks that my kids like to play with too, although, not usually for long periods just by themselves. I am really tempted to make the leap to LEGOs, but I just fear all the tiny bits and pieces everywhere.... especially since we will have another little baby by the year end crawling around.

By: Nina

Nina — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 14:17:15 +0000

My kids do pretty well with quiet time (sometimes TOO well). He has a station in our kitchen filled with art supplies, so that keeps him busy for an hour or so. He also likes legos and other connecting and building toys that keeps him occupied and he does a lot of pretend play, like he’ll make pirates out of them.

By: Katelyn Fagan

Katelyn Fagan — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 14:10:00 +0000

In reply to Jennifer. Thanks so much Jennifer! I am glad you said that these things will take a little time upfront, as i forgot to mention that in the post. Yes, you may have to show your kid what to do with certain materials, or how they are manipulated, but after a little while they should be good on there own.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 13:24:06 +0000

I love setting up the environment to empower children to independently play! There’s definitely a lot of “hands on” at first, with reminding them and showing them how to put everything back if they are used to something different, but it’s SO worth the time investment. (Of course, that means having the time to invest in the first place…)
I LOVE these ideas – pinning.

By: Katelyn Fagan

Katelyn Fagan — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 02:50:24 +0000

In reply to Brittany Bullen. Ha ha ha. Yeah, I just have the one boy, but my girls have been known to destroy a few things. I don't know if I have enough space for a literacy station in my house. I feel like it would be awesome if it could magically appear just at quiet time. My girls would probably actually like it.

By: Brittany Bullen

Brittany Bullen — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 02:40:22 +0000

Katelyn,

You’re a better mom than me, haha =) my kids definitely watch way too much TV. Oh well… a girl can dream of beautifully organized literacy stations… with three boys, that thing would be destroyed in about five minutes. But it’s a lovely idea!

Brittany

By: Katelyn Fagan

Katelyn Fagan — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 00:22:56 +0000

In reply to Tricia. Right! I need to make one for my kids. I mean we have bins for some stuff, but i think some of the stuff others used in their boxes

By: Tricia

Tricia — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 00:08:14 +0000

Great ideas! I really want to sit down and get together some busy box ideas before my son gets a new sibling. Pinning!