Benefits of Independent Play.

When children play alone, they're learning many valuable lessons which they carry with them throughout their lives. Solo playtime helps your child grow up to be individuals who are happy when they are in small groups, large crowds or alone.

The Benefits of alone time and why independent play is so important to a child’s development.

1. Emotional regulation.
Time alone allows children down time, or time out, to relax their mind. The ability to regulate emotions improves during this time; when a child is overwhelmed or over-stimulated from too many people or toys or sounds, they can’t regulate their emotions and they become highly reactive. Most of the times tantrums and meltdown occur most when a child is overwhelmed, over stimulated or tired. Alone time and independent play counteracts this and is beneficial for a child developing coping skills. Having time to yourself, provides time to re-centre and encourages self-care.
2. Social independence.
Being able to play alone and do things by yourself in social situations is an important skill to learn. It is important for children to have the ability to do their own thing in social situations because it develops social confidence and is something that they will at some point, and no matter how social and friendly they are. For instance, if other children don’t want to play the same game or do the same thing as them, then they are happy and determined to do it alone, regardless of his peers.
3. Self Confidence.
Independent play and being alone develops self confidence in children by allowing them freedom. Freedom to test hypothesis, try new things and take healthy risks. They create ideas, learn about them self and what they like, build on developing skills and most of all they become comfortable with who they are.
4. Self-Reliance.
Independent play develops self-reliance and enhances a child’s ability to trust oneself, first. They learn that there isn’t always someone waiting on you at every moment. Sometimes children who aren’t encouraged to have time alone or play independently, develop a need to have someone guiding them and helping them through everything. Which honestly, puts parents in a difficult situation as they too have a lot to do. As children grow, independent play encourages them to try things by themselves first.
5. Better Learners.
Children who can play independently, are more focused and have longer attention spans. Through a calm mind, in a child who isn’t overwhelmed, comes better concentration and more focus. Emotional regulation is also linked to higher academic success and better mental health in adulthood. Thus, independent play is beneficial in the long run. Further, children play with purpose and are learning as they play, by building on developing skills and connecting neural pathways.
6. Imagination.
To quote Albert Einstein, imagination will take you everywhere… With imagination comes logical thinking, questioning, dreaming, pretending and reinforcing what a child has experienced or observed in their life. Independent play is one of the best forms of imagination. Independent play is open ended and can lead a child to wonderful avenues.

Tips for encouraging independent play at home

• Attention to ignite: Be present with your child for the 1st 10-15 minutes to fuel their emotional tanks & kick start their thinking engines.
• Realistic expectations: The normal attention span of young children is averagely for 5 to 10 minutes per their age precisely why we must have realistic set of expectations.
• Set them up for success: Is the play environment uncluttered, pleasing and inviting to play? They are also likely to play for a longer time when they can see you.
• Quick invitations to play: Observe their interests & set out play invitations that will ignite their interest. Sensory bins are one of the favourite in children for extended play.
• Set Boundaries: let your child know in advance when you cannot be disturbed and hold that boundary preferable at a fixed time each day
• Use visual clues: For young children you can use a clock or alarm to indicate when you are available to attend to their needs and their independent play time schedule.