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How can I teach DS to play on his own?

travnicektravnicek member
in Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months

I don't know if it's his age (14 months) or if it's because he senses things will be changing soon (with DD on her way in 3 months), but my DS can't seem to play on his own lately. How can I coach him into being able to play more independently?

 Currently (and for his whole life), my DH has been able to stay home with him from 7-12pm, and then I am home with him for the rest of the day, so DS has always gotten a lot of one-on-one attention from us. I don't know if my DS is being so clingy because we have taught him that we're always nearby, or if this is just a stage.

If my DH or I walk out of the room, DS starts crying and crawls/walks to try and find us right away.

Even if we are in the room, it seems like he is not happy unless DH or I are on the floor with him reading books, blocks, etc. The couch is just too far away...=(

I hope that is enough info. for someone to give me some tips on ways we can teach him that it's okay to play on his own. Does this sound like a stage or new baby thing? Any ideas would be appreciated!!!

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Re: How can I teach DS to play on his own?

  • erbearerbear member

    Daycare :)

    Seriously, I think that's why my kids are good independent players.

    "Hello, babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. At the outside, babies, you've got about a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies. God damn it, you've got to be kind." - Kurt Vonnegut
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  • TofuMama7TofuMama7

    My advice would be to start leaving him for short periods. For example, if you are sitting on the floor playing with him, stand up and walk into the kitchen and get a glass of water. Talk to him the while away then come back. I did this with my DS when he went through a really clingy phase, and he's pretty independent.

    I also leave him with others sometimes (the nursery during church, the kids club at the gym...) so he learns that I always come back. He freaked out the first few times, but is a champ now. 

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  • BemyselfandiBemyselfandi member
    Playdates, story time at the local library, send him to a sitter once a week, or do what the PP said about getting up and walking away while he's involved in playing with something. I do that with my son...he's 17 months. When he's teething, he gets kind of clingy and doesn't want to play by himself as much but CAN play by himself. He drives me insane sometimes. :) Good luck...it's all about training that you're just not going to be available to play with him. Dinner has to be cooked, laundry folded, cleaning, etc. I get my son involved in those things as much as possible. He helps me clean, dust, and vacuum. He has his own vacuum, his own rag for when we dust, etc. That way he feels involved when I am busy doing stuff around the house. Plus, he does help................a little. :)
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