(English translation available after the Chinese article)

我的兒子是一個獨生子，家中沒有其他孩子，因此經常都自己一個人玩。有時我們都會擔心兒子經常自己一個玩，會否對社交發展有影響。但原來獨自玩樂（independent play）對孩子的各方面發展有很多好處。這篇文章會跟大家探討一下獨自玩樂的好處，以及家長需注意的事情。

獨自玩樂的好處

獨自玩樂可以培養孩子各種能力：

1. 創意

孩子自己一個玩耍，需要發揮想像空間，拿起一件玩具，未必要跟隨說明書的玩法，可以用自己的方法去玩。

積木可以砌出各種的東西，一座大廈、一架車，甚至一個場景。近來我的兒子喜歡用小塊正方形積木砌出各組數字，藉此訓練想像力和空間感。

2. 解決問題

孩子在玩耍時，遇到了困難，他們可能會找父母幫忙，但更多時他們會首先自己嘗試解決。

這就建立了孩子解決問題的能力，也可以提高自信心，做其他事情也有信心。

3. 獨立能力

孩子能夠獨自玩樂，可以培養孩子獨立能力，不用依賴別人給予自己娛樂。

這不但令父母不用時時刻刻陪伴孩子，可以好好享受私人時間（似乎是一大好處！）最重要是培養孩子在社交場合的自信。如果其他孩子對自己手上的玩具沒有興趣，孩子都不會感到不開心，因為自己一個玩也可以。如果沒有成年人陪伴玩耍，也不用依賴成年人給予指示，自己一個決定怎樣玩。

獨自玩樂有不少好處，家長在鼓勵孩子獨自玩樂前，要注意以下事項：

1. 合適的環境

讓孩子獨自玩樂的首要條件，是一個合適的環境。何謂合適？就是一個安全又遠離電視的空間。

一個安全的空間，就是可以放手讓孩子隨處玩，不會怕他受傷。假如環境有危險，父母周不時阻止孩子繼續行動，那麼孩子不能投入玩耍了。

試想像，當孩子獨自玩樂，父母卻在旁邊開著電視，電視的畫面和聲音一定會吸引孩子的視線，不能專心玩耍，所以父母在這時要關掉電視。

2. 合適的玩具

合適的玩具除了指用料安全的玩具外，適合孩子年齡的玩具也很重要。

假如你給4歲小孩一套四塊的拼圖，對他來說太容易了，可能玩五分鐘就感到沉悶。相反，假如給他一套100塊的拼圖，對他來說太難了，很快就會找成年人幫忙，就不能達成獨自玩樂的目標。

3. 不要主導孩子玩樂的方法

讓孩子獨自玩樂，就是給他機會主導遊戲玩法，相信自己的想法是有價值的，從而建立自己做決定的信心。

成年人很多時候都不自覺想給予孩子指示，認為自己的方法較好。請記著，就算孩子的玩法跟平常不同，也不要緊，這是他發揮創意的時間。

獨自玩樂好處很多，父母們會考慮試試嗎？

資料來源：

Independent Play can Boost Confidence, Creativity, and So Much More
10 Ways To Encourage Independent Play

本文章所發表的全部內容均屬個人意見，並不代表Little Monkey之言論及立場。

關於作者

思嘉是一個在職媽媽，兒子約四歲，很明白在職爸媽面對的挑戰，希望能透過文字，跟各位爸媽分享有關為人父母的課題，互相支持和勉勵。

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Scarlesson
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[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]

Fostering Independent Play in Kids

My son is an only child and there are no other children in our extended family so he often plays by himself. Sometimes we worry about whether playing alone too often would affect his social development but it turns out that independent play has many benefits to children’s development in various aspects. This article will discuss the benefits of independent play as well as the signs that parents need to pay attention to.

The Benefit of Independent Play

Independent Play can foster children’s different ability:

1. Creativity

Children may pick up a toy to play in their own way without needing to follow the instructions in the manual. Through playing by themselves, children need to use their imagination.

Building blocks can become all kinds of things, a building, a car, or even scenery. Recently, my son likes to use small square blocks to build groups of numbers to expand his imagination and sense of space.

2. Problem Solving

When children encounter difficulties while playing, they may ask their parents for help. The child needs to find the reason for the car being stuck. Aha! It turns out that the track is not well placed, so the electric car cannot run smoothly. The child can then try to reset the track so that the electric car is no longer stuck on the track.

This helps to build up the child’s ability to problem solve and can also improve self-confidence in doing other things.

3. Independence

Children can play alone, which can cultivate their independent ability without relying on others to entertain themselves.

This not only saves parents from having to accompany their children all the time but they can also have some private time (which seems to be a big benefit!) The most important thing is to cultivate children’s self-confidence in social situations. If other children are not interested in the toys they have, then the child will not feel unhappy, because they can play by themselves. If they don’t play with an adult, they don’t have to rely on an adult to give instructions and decide how to play.

There are many benefits to playing alone. Parents should pay attention to the following conditions before encouraging their children to play alone:

1. Suitable environment

The first condition for children to play alone is a suitable environment. What is considered suitable? It’s a safe space away from the TV.

A safe space is to let your child play anywhere without fear of him being injured. If the environment is dangerous and the parents prevent the child from continuing to act from time to time, then the child can no longer engage in proper independent play.

Imagine that when the child is playing alone, the parents turn on the TV. The picture and sound of the TV will definitely attract the child’s attention and he or she cannot concentrate on playing, so the parents must turn off the TV at this time.

2. Suitable toys

In addition to toys made with safe materials, suitable toys are also important for children’s age.

If you give a 4-year-old child a four-piece puzzle, it is too easy for him, and it may feel boring after five minutes of playing. On the contrary, if you give him a set of 100-piece puzzles, it is too difficult for him. He will soon ask for help from an adult, and he will not be able to achieve his goal of having fun alone.

3. Don’t direct the child’s playing method

To let a child play independently is to give him the opportunity to dominate the gameplay, to believe that his own ideas are valuable and to build his own confidence in making decisions.

Adults often unconsciously give instructions to their children thinking that their own methods are better. Please remember, even if the child’s play style is different from our usual, it doesn’t matter as this is his time for creativity.

There are many benefits to having independent play. Would parents consider trying it?

Sources：

Independent Play can Boost Confidence, Creativity, and So Much More
10 Ways To Encourage Independent Play

All the contents published in this article are personal opinions and do not represent the opinions and views of Little Monkey Hong Kong.

About the Author

Scarlett is a working mom with a 4-year-old son, who knows the challenges encountered by working parents. She would like to share some thoughts on parenthood that may serve as support and encouragement for moms and dads.

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Website：https://www.scarlesson.com/