Toddler Playing in Room

Have you tried playing the radio or some fun music CD? WE put a boom box in our 2 year olds room when he was about 15 months and he loves to play in there by himself while listening to the music. we also open all the blinds so he can look out the windows.

My son is like that too. We are getting ECI services, as our child is behind some. What ECI recommended to us was to get your child a lap tray to use only while you are in the kitchen doing cooking,cleaning,etc... Our son will work on puzzles by himself and that's about the only thing that he will do. I got him a special puzzle and a Elmo coloring book that you use fill up the pen with water and it immediately colors the book. He played with that! When I am in the kitchen, I bring out the laptray and his puzzle and special Elmo coloring book and he will play with those things. They recommended have a few special toys just for times when you need to clean the kitchen or do laundry,etc... What does your child really enjoying doing? If he enjoys cars or coloring or doing puzzles or looking at books, get him special toys that he really would enjoy playing with.

When it is time for me to fold laundry. They suggested we get a smaller laundry basket for our child. I put my son's clothing in the basket for him and he carries his laundry basket and I move mine and we go to our den. I eventually will teach him to match his socks and fold later on down the road. Our son watches some Baby Einstein and Wiggles while I am folding laundry.

ECI recommend a small little computer for our child when we are on the computer. We got one of those for him for his birthday. This is something a child can do by himself. Consider getting one of these, we got a Fisher Price one that has music (our son loves music!), games, alphabet,etc.... It has a small miniature mouse just like Mommy and Daddy's mouse for the computer.

They recommended our child being near us when we are in the kitchen/laundry room,etc. They recommended giving him special activities just for those times. In the kitchen, you could give your child some plastic bowls with some spoons and let him do some stirring or pans and he could beat on the pans with a spoon. They do make toy bowls, food and utensils, kitchen toys specially made for kids, if you would rather him play with his own stuff.

What about the Mega blocks, does he enjoy those? If he enjoys cars, he might like a garage for the cars.

Hope this helps and good luck. I know how frustrating it can be! You don't get much done when your child doesn't want to play much by himself.

My son is the same way! I've started letting him cry for a few minutes, then he gets over it and starts playing by himself. I don't leave him in there too long by himself and I check on him a lot. We have a baby gate on his door. I have also asked my 9 yr old neighbor to "babysit" a couple hours a week so I can get some cleaning done.

I like the room time idea! In our house though, our boys never play in their rooms, but they both play VERY well alone. They just like to be in the same room as others. My oldest was an only child for 6.5 years (now age 10), and he learned early on how to play alone. I played with him sometimes, but while I was cleaning or cooking or doing my own thing, he learned to entertain himself. He was (and still is) quite happy to play on his own in whatever room I was in. My youngest (now 4) is the same way. He is extremely creative and will play with anything - a pillow, a piece of string, a shadow, but he wants to be in the same room that I am in. I don't mind that at all. I figure as they get older it will probably change, and if it doesn't, it will be good to keep an eye on them anyway. The boys play well together too, but when they aren't playing together, they do fine on their own. On a side note, both boys are extremely organized, so they go to their rooms, get out a toy, bring it to wherever I am, play, then put it away, so I don't have clutter everywhere. We do have a toybox in the living room, but it stays shut unless they are getting something out or putting something in. If I had to deal with toys everywhere all the time I probably wouldn't be as happy with the situation, but it works well for us this way. I also like having them around to talk to all the time. It makes it easier to know what's going on with them, especially with the 10 year old. Sorry this got so long. :-)

When my kids were young, we had "room time". It was an established, dedicated, playtime in their room alone. We would put the gate up to keep them in the room so that I could get other things done around the house. We made sure their rooms were safe and would peek in occassionally. Once the routine was established and they were used to it, we didn't need to set up the gate anymore, but used a timer. When the timer went off, "room time" was over and they could come out and play elsewhere in the house.

My oldest son was this way also. He was the only child for almost 3 years and I felt that it was my job as a SAHM to play with him all day - and I paid the price for it! About a year and a half ago - when my youngest son was born, he had to learn to play by himself. End of story. I just started telling him that if he needed to learn how to play with his toys by himself. It was hard for me at first, he would fuss, whine and cry sometimes, but life has been MUCH easier since. He wants to go and play by himself now. You just have to not give in. Good luck!