Getting 2 Year Old to Play

my daughter never did learn to play by herself. she still doesn't play by herself. she has to have her father or brother play with her. she has a HUGE imagination for make believe play but for some reason can't (or won't do it without without someone else there. i think it's because when she was little she always had someone to play with. her brother (who is 4, she's 6) can play all day by himself, using his imagination, talking to himself playing the toys. playing outside. my daughter will always say "i'm bored"now that she's older, she loves writing poems and stories, though. i blame my husband for never letting her play by herself. every time she was attempting it when she was younger, he went in and took over. ;)

she's two! she's interested in what you're doing and she wants to be with you. mine didn't start playing on his own much until 3 or 4. unfortunately 2 year olds need a lot of attention. let her follow you around. when you are cleaning give her something to "do" like use a rag on a table. get her to help you with the baby. and don't expect a 2 year old to play on her own much, if any.

i wouldn't worry about it. let her hang out with you and 'help' with what you're doing. parallel play is actually pretty developmentally right on. it's perfectly okay to tell her 'mommy is going to vacuum now so i'm not going to play with you. but you can get your vacuum (a pretend one is fine) and help if you like.' you don't have to be fully engaged with playing with her all the time. let her find her own way to independence.
khairete
S.

I always put the play kitchen in the real kitchen so they could "cook " while I cook.

I agree with the other moms mine plays alot but he is up my hiney alot. his play is helpingme unload the dishwasher and washing off the outside of the fridge which is clean his play is "helping me clean house" and hang out with mom. he does other things too but more less play is helping mom

Let her sit at the table w/ you. If she just watches just let her- perhaps she is trying to figure things out since the addition of a sibling.
best, k

I agree w/ other posters. My 2 year old son is happiest when he's helping me whether it's cooking or sweeping the floor or any other household activity. He does love arts n crafts...gluing stuff w/ a glue stick, coloring w/ crayons and markers, playdo. If I set him at the table with some art supplies I can usually get a little time to things around the house.

That's totally age appropriate and should last the next 6 mos or so. However, this is a critical time for you to help her develop her self guided skills. Instead of leading play try giving her very open ended creative items (a few tubs of playdough, lego, paper/fun crayons, finger paint etc). You may have to show her how to use some things but give her some time and see what happens. she may walk away several times but you will be surprised that she eventually will get it. And everntually she will have favorites. Don't fall into the TV trap at this age as it is one way stimultion. she is not at the age yet to pick up dolls and play on her own but if you help her build her focus/patience she will have a much better focus and skill. You may try and circulate her toys, try putting some away for a few weeks, rotating them around the room, etc. Also with a baby in the house she may be feeling some pangs of jealousy and trying to get more attention which is totally natural and understood.

good luck