How to teach 4 year old to play by himself?

marchbaby

My four year old is driving me nuts!  He recently gave up naps, which would be fine if he could entertain himself once in awhile.  He has NEVER played by himself.  My 2 year old can sit and play for over an hour, which makes life so much easier!  Sometimes I need to get stuff done, or take a break, and I can't entertain him all the time. Now that he is not napping I don't get that time anymore either.  I went out yesterday and bought him two new "big boy" toys.  Toys that have smaller pieces that his younger brother can't play with. I thought they would be his special "quiet time" toys.  Didn't work...he is now whining for us to play with him with them and refused to play alone. He has also become very demanding.  Constantly whining and demanding a drink, a snack, for me to get stuff for him etc.  I will usually tell him he has to wait or to have patience and ask nicely. Then he goes to my husband and starts demanding, and usually my husband will just get it for him. I realize we need to get on the same page with a few things but I have no idea how to get him to entertain himself (without the tv being on constantly!)

Anyone have this problem? Any ideas on what to do to fix it?

 Thanks

penguingrrl

My MIL had a rule with her kids that they had to take a rest every day even if they didn't sleep.  They had to spend an hour either lying in their bed or playing quietly in their room.  Maybe try a "rest" hour even if he isn't sleeping.  She kept that rule until they were in Kindergarten and it worked for all three of her kids!

ccm1203

My son is acting like that now too. I agree that even if he doesn' take a nap he should have some quiet play time in his room. 

marchbaby

I'm trying to do the rest time in his room but there are two problems.  One is that he can get out.  We put a baby gate up but he has learned to climb over it.  I suppose we could turn the doorknob around and lock him in that way but i'm not 100% comfortable with that for some reason. The other problem is he will yell and throw a fit if stuck in there, and then wake up my 2 year old who needs a nap!  Any ideas on making him happily play quietly

ccm1203

a safe project or computer type game?  DS is ok with being in his room alone as long as DD is sleeping in hers.