Independent play - time it and share it

[maptome]

I always thought that DD (2.5) was really great at playing by herself and giving me a break.  Yesterday we were home all day, so I decided to record the amount of time she spent playing by herself.  Here are the results:

sensory bin 9 min
play doh 20 min
reading books 10 min
cars and tracks 15 min

Each activity was spaced out with lots of interactive time with me, and she hadn't played with her sensory bin for a week and her cars and and play-doh for several weeks.  It felt like a normal, if not good, day for independent play.

I had no idea it was so little time!  No wonder I never get anything done!  I think I literally spent more time setting up and cleaning up activities than she spent playing.

Anyone else want to time and share?

[~cassie~]

I will have to time it later but your times sound about right.  I think that is actually pretty good for that age :)

[ErinYay]

That *is* pretty good. DD (24 months, she has both speech and social delays and we suspect something pretty major, developmentally) can happily play by herself for literal hours- the longest she's gone playing perfectly 100% by herself, seeking no contact, was 5 hours- she could have gone longer but it simply seems "wrong" to let her.

She goes from activity to activity very quickly, though- from 30 seconds to maybe 2-3 minutes, before she switches completely, lather, rinse, repeat, which is borderline typical.

[wishin'&hopin']

Finger paint and do-a-dots, 8 minutes...

Pooping on the floor while I thought he was merely slipping cards under the door, 7 minutes

Playing with his trains, 20 minutes

[aphel]

Having to scrape toddler poo off the carpet . . . . Priceless.

[wishin'&hopin']

Hardwood floors...worth their weight in gold!  

[aphel]

Jealous.