How to Encourage Independent Play

How do you encourage independent play?
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My number one tip: LESS STUFF! Don't you ever feel overwhelmed when you walk into a store that has too many items and you don't know where to start? I try to set out a few items at a time, and see where it takes my kids... Whether it's to outer space, an enchanted garden or a farm 👩‍🌾. Kids will transform even the simplest objects into a colorful creative world of pretend. 💫💫💫
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I set out this puppet stand with a basket of hay, moss, rocks, figures, faceless puppets and scarfs and my four-year-old decided to put on a show and asked my two-year-old to watch. My two-year-old then decided to take all the chairs in the room and set up an audience with her dolls. It was so fun to watch! 🎭 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You also don't need a puppet show stand...cardboard boxes work just as well.