Solitary Play - How It Helps Development
September 16, 2022
What is solitary play, and how does it help development?
Child’s play is literally a child’s work – it’s through play that your young child learns about how their world works and how they fit into that world. As they play, they’re exposed to stimuli and challenges that help them explore and develop physical, emotional, cognitive, and even social skills. All this while having fun!
As your child has grown from a newborn to an active toddler, you’ve probably noticed that how they play has changed too. In fact, there are six recognised stages of play in a child’s development:
- Unoccupied play
- Solitary play
- Onlooker play
- Parallel play
- Associative play
- Cooperative play
Each happens at specific age ranges and help your child develop and learn necessary skills.
How does solitary play help in child development?
Between two and three years of age, children are typically in the solitary play phase, which is also called independent play. This is where your child plays alone for a period of time, being able to focus on what they’re doing and nothing else. Essentially, they’re unaware of and just plain not interested in what is going around them while they’re playing. While this may be a welcome reprieve for parents feeling the pressure of entertaining and stimulating a little one 24/7, this stage has some real impact on overall development:
- This is where your child is learning to entertain themselves, use their imagination, creatively explore how things work, and increase their ability to concentrate.
- Solitary play also gives your child the opportunity to gain some confidence in their independence. So, try to resist the temptation to jump in help them fix mistakes or solve problems.
- Their self-awareness and self-esteem also get a boost from independent play, and things they act out and problem-solve for now could help them find solutions for real-life issues they may be experiencing.
- Being in charge of the how and why also means your child has to think things through, and then follow them through. As a result, persistence and concentration are rewarded.
- Abstract thinking is also a benefit of solitary play, especially for older kids. Because even though this stage is most common in toddlers, older children also often enjoy periods of playing alone.
How you can help
Even though they’re doing the hard work here, there are still things you can to do help your child get the most out of this stage of play:
- Give them access to a variety of toys they can play with – building blocks, figurines and dolls, vehicles, soft toys, pretend play and dress-up items, etc. This means they get to choose how to express themselves in their solitary play, which will be different from day to day.
- Encourage your little one to play independently – this doesn’t mean you don’t love them or don’t have time for them, but that being able to function independently is an important life skill.
- Solitary play is not only an indoor activity. Swinging, sliding, climbing, and other playground play also help to target motor skills, coordination, and self-confidence.
- Supervise the solitary play for safety reasons, but leave your child to play as they like. Being “the boss” without your guidance is what really makes this an important developmental phase.
Read another Crawford International developmental blog article here.
A Lifelong Educator Mr Chris Herbst has spent 41 years in the classroom. With a Bachelor of Education from the University of the Witwatersrand, he has taught countless learners over the decades. He joined Crawford International Sandton in 1999 and currently teaches Afrikaans to students from Grade 8 to Grade 12. His role spans across five different year groups, a challenge he embraces. “I have my hands full as I navigate the excitement and challenges of teaching an additional language to five different grades,” he says. Why Teaching Still Matters For Mr Herbst, teaching is not a job. It is something he feels deeply connected to. “Teaching is my great passion and calling. The classroom is where I find my motivation and inspiration,” he shares. “When we have a really good lesson and I see our students leave having learned something new, or figured out a challenging concept, then I am motivated and inspired all over again.” These everyday moments keep him grounded in his purpose. They are the quiet victories that reaffirm his place in the classroom. Freedom to Teach with Meaning Mr Herbst values Crawford’s approach to learning, particularly the way it supports teacher agency and student-centred learning. “I love the fact that the focus is student-centred, and that as teachers we have the freedom and the responsibility to create a teaching and learning environment that works best for every learning need,” he says. He believes this flexibility allows for learning to become more meaningful. “If I identify that a particular topic or poem has piqued the interest of my class, I have the freedom to delve deeper and really explore the subject matter without being bound by rigid syllabus rules and time frames.” Connecting Language to the Real World Teaching Afrikaans in a school where it is often an additional language means finding ways to make it resonate. Mr Herbst understands that for many students, the subject may not come naturally. “For many students, learning another language may initially feel like a requirement rather than a passion,” he explains. To bridge that gap, he brings the language to life through content that students can relate to. “It’s important to integrate engaging, real-world content such as music, movies, and stories that align with the students’ interests.” These tools, he believes, help students see the language in context and build an emotional connection to it. A Teaching Legacy Over the course of his career, Mr Herbst has taught more than one generation in the same family. It is a milestone he reflects on with pride. “I have taught students who are now parents, and I am teaching their children today. It doesn’t get better than that.” But what stands out most for him is being remembered. “By far my biggest kick is when a past student recognises me and comes over to strike up a conversation and talk about their life and work after school.”
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: DYLAN BIZJAK Crawford International Sandton From the classrooms of Crawford International Sandton to the forefront of aeronautical engineering in the Netherlands, Dylan Bizjak’s journey is one of ambition, resilience and innovation . Pursuing a Passion for Engineering After matriculating in 2019, Dylan initially pursued Aeronautical Engineering at Wits University. However, six months into his studies, a new opportunity emerged, one that would take him beyond South Africa’s borders. He secured a place at Inholland University of Applied Sciences in Delft, Netherlands, where he embraced the challenge of international study, even navigating his first year remotely due to the pandemic. Now a graduate with a BSc in Aeronautical Engineering (2024), Dylan has stepped into the professional world, joining Eve Reverse, a pioneering start-up dedicated to climate-positive innovation. What began as an internship in his final year evolved into a full-time role as a Research and Development Engineer, where he contributes to the creation of sustainable, carbon-negative materials. His proudest achievement? Playing a key role in the development of the Eve Dry Tile, an innovative flax fibre material designed to reduce emissions and waste in manufacturing. Achievements at Crawford International Sandton Gareth Beach Award (2019) – Recognised for bravery, dedication, self-development and outstanding achievement in swimming. Sportsman of the Year (2019) – Acknowledged for excellence in swimming, basketball and boxing. Reflections on Crawford Dylan credits his time at Crawford for preparing him for both academic and personal success on the global stage. “Crawford’s approach equips you for university and beyond, whether in South Africa or internationally. It’s not just about academics but about becoming a well-rounded critical thinker and team player. Exposure to diverse cultures, teamwork, individuality and taking responsibility for my outcomes were invaluable lessons I carried with me.” Words of Wisdom To his younger self, Dylan would say: “Step out of your comfort zone sooner. Growth happens when you challenge yourself. Leaving home was tough, but the personal and professional growth was worth every stumble along the way.” Dylan’s story is a testament to courage, hard work and the power of embracing the unknown. From South Africa to the Netherlands, he is proving that the sky isn’t the limit, it is just the beginning.
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