I sat on a bench at the playground watching a toddler waddle around. His grownup sat nearby keeping a close eye on him. He squatted down to examine a tiny pebble. Carefully, he picked up one little stone with his fingers and brought it closer to his face to look at. He set it down and picked up another. As he brought the pebble to his face, his grownup jumped off the bench and swatted the rock from his hands and wiped them clean with a wet wipe. 'That's yucky,' she said. 'Come, I'll push you on the swings.' The toddler scrunched up his face, said 'NO,' and squatted back down. His grownup picked him up and put him in the swings. After a few moments of protest, he giggled happily as he flew through the air. As a mom myself, I understand the need to keep dirt and pebbles out of the mouths of toddlers. As an educator, I wanted to sit him back down and put out a few small dishes for sorting those interesting pebbles. Let’s find the balance..

Toddlers are developmentally driven to sort, organize, and categorize things. They are working hard on developing fine motor skills to pick up those tiny stones and they can have great focus and pride when doing so.

As an independent play expert, I know that setting up open-ended materials that match the developmental drive of your child leads to longer periods of self-directed independent play in young children.

Supporting independent play in children aged 2-8 doesn't have to be complex. By implementing these strategies, you can create an environment that encourages self-directed learning and play. Let your child lead the play, so you don’t have to.

Here’s How:

Become a Play Detective
Take time to observe your child during spontaneous play at the playground, the beach or anywhere they play. Notice what captures their attention. Are they drawn to building, imaginative play, sensory experiences? Understanding their interests is key to supporting their play journey.
Embrace Nature
Allow your child time to explore natural materials like pebbles, leaves, or sticks. Natural objects provide rich opportunities for open-ended play and learning and can give grownups clear clues into their child’s interests.
Create an Exploration Zone
Designate a space at home for sorting and organizing activities. Use items that interest your child, such as buttons, pom-poms, or small vehicles and animals.
Set Up Open-Ended Play Prompts
Based on your observations, create simple play setups that align with your child's current interests. For example:
- If they're fascinated by construction, set out blocks with small vehicles and figurines.
- For a child interested in making marks, put out a large piece of paper or cardboard and stickers and markers.
- The key is to provide just enough to spark interest while leaving lots of room for your child's interpretation.
Practice the Art of Non-Interruption
Resist the urge to interrupt your child's focused play. Uninterrupted play allows children to fully immerse themselves in their explorations, developing concentration and problem-solving skills. Save your comments and questions for later.
Provide Tools for Independence
Offer age-appropriate tools like small containers, sorting trays, or scoops to encourage independent play. These items enable children to manipulate materials on their own, fostering a sense of capability and autonomy.
Value Simplicity in Play
Recognize that seemingly simple activities, like examining pebbles or lining up toys, can be deeply engaging and educational for young children. These activities often align perfectly with their developmental needs and interests.
Trust in Your Child's Learning Process
Have confidence in your child's natural curiosity and ability to learn through self-directed play. By trusting this process, you allow your child to develop confidence and intrinsic motivation for learning.

Implementing these strategies will help foster independent, developmentally appropriate play experiences for your child. The goal isn't to constantly entertain your child but to create an environment where they feel empowered to explore and learn independently. By supporting your child's self-directed play, you're nurturing crucial skills like creativity, problem-solving, and self-regulation. Take a step back, observe, and allow your child's play skills to develop naturally. The growth and learning you'll witness through this process is invaluable.

Not sure where to start with open-ended play? The Play Plan has helped thousands of families across the globe get started with developmentally appropriate play using materials you already have at home.

“We did this today with a 4 and 5 year old that had all gone completely flipping crazy and it was instant calm!”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you! love the play plan for my 5 and 3 year old! You are the best... ”