https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 25 Jun 2026 23:58:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-your-lo-start-playing-independently#post-1625576 Fri, 09 May 2014 19:25:26 +0000 Silva 1625576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: for what it's worth, my daughter does very well with independent play first thing in the morning, and after naps. When I'm getting dinner ready she is tired and hungry, and in no mood to play by herself.<br /> Maybe try encouraging it at other times, when he's in a better mood? I just sort of expect her to, and always have, which I think helps foster it. After I nurse. And change her diaper in the morning I set her down next to her books and toy shelf, and she plays while I get breakfast ready. She plays by herself while I clean up too...although if she's melting down I give her a cloth and get her to "help." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-your-lo-start-playing-independently#post-1625561 Fri, 09 May 2014 19:17:18 +0000 blackbird 1625561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Always. It's just how she is. I fostered it when I could, but you can't foster what's not already there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-your-lo-start-playing-independently#post-1625472 Fri, 09 May 2014 18:32:04 +0000 loveisstrange 1625472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Always? It's just her personality though. She has always been very independent, even as a newborn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-your-lo-start-playing-independently#post-1625459 Fri, 09 May 2014 18:23:49 +0000 MrsStormy 1625459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: Yup, this is totally my daughter.</p> <p>I know a lot of children who aren't great independent players, I really do think it is a personality thing. I know that's not helpful though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-your-lo-start-playing-independently#post-1625457 Fri, 09 May 2014 18:22:30 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 1625457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>K is totally independent- she would rather be on the floor, playing while I'm watching/drinking my coffee. She's 8.5 months old </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-your-lo-start-playing-independently#post-1625452 Fri, 09 May 2014 18:20:53 +0000 chopsuey 1625452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both of my kids started playing independently early on. Before their 1st birthdays. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-your-lo-start-playing-independently#post-1625443 Fri, 09 May 2014 18:13:28 +0000 sandy 1625443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: it's not your fault! Some kids just have different personalities. Some kids love to be around others all the time and others are just naturally more independent </p> <p>My LO has always been super independent. She is not cuddly...since she was super little she never minded playing independently...like since 3-4 months. She just loves to read books to herself or play with puzzles or stuffed animals or her little people sets. Now that she's older she pretends to cook has tea parties with her stuffed animals. We did go through a phase around 13-14 months where she would come in the kitchen and beg for food/attention. And my friend told me to tell her "mama is cooking right now. I need you to please go in the play room" and to walk her back. And keep repeating...my LO got it so quick...took 3-4 times of walking her and telling her. Then she just got it...it's kind of like how super nanny tries to correct behavior. Now I just ask her to please go to the play room and she knows to stay there until I'm done cooking. </p> <p>Does J have his toys in an accessible area? Is there a task you can give him to do while you cook? Like I have a old yogurt container with a slot cut into the lid and I got our old Connect Four chips out and will ask her to put them in the container. Or get a container with a bunch of different objects and have him separate them - put all macaroni in one bowl, all beans in another bowl, all etc. maybe having special tasks/games will help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-your-lo-start-playing-independently#post-1625442 Fri, 09 May 2014 18:12:59 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1625442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Chloe has always been pretty good about independent play. She has her moments, though, where she really doesn't want to be alone. It's usually when I've got something important to do, like take an important call or do the dishes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-your-lo-start-playing-independently#post-1625440 Fri, 09 May 2014 18:12:12 +0000 Cherrybee 1625440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: I very much doubt its anything you've done! Different kids just have different personalities. </p> <p>E, for example, is (currently) great at playing alone, as long as she has an interesting toy to occupy her. The newer the toy, the longer she will play. But that comes at a cost - she doesn't love cuddles and she's very easily frustrated by not being able to move about and get what she wants for herself. If you try to help her with something, she fights you off. She needs to be doing, doing, doing and doing it for herself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-your-lo-start-playing-independently#post-1625419 Fri, 09 May 2014 17:56:10 +0000 Weagle 1625419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She does really well with "quiet time" in her crib. Any other independent play has to be spontaneous. I can't ask her to play by herself and she do it. She usually responds like your LO.</p> <p>Eta: she's 2 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-your-lo-start-playing-independently#post-1625410 Fri, 09 May 2014 17:47:23 +0000 NurseMommy 1625410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is 11.5 months and has been playing independently since she was about 3 months old. Now she can play for up to half an hour or so in her room while I get ready for the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-your-lo-start-playing-independently#post-1625402 Fri, 09 May 2014 17:41:14 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1625402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to nanny a little girl who loved playing on her own and had such a creative imagination - I started caring for her when she was 2.5 and even at that age, she was very invested in independent play and would play for hours on her own. </p> <p>J is definitely not like that. If I'm making dinner and ask him to go play by himself, he cries and falls into a heap at my feet. Sometimes I wonder if it's my fault because I have let him watch TV, and that can supposedly stunt independent play. There are so many toys I would love to get him, but I think would go unplayed with because they are more independent, imagination based things. </p> <p>When did your LO play independently? </p>