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DS (2.4) won't play with his toys - help/advice needed!

7 replies

EnglishTeeth · 24/10/2007 10:18

At home the only playing that he'll do is painting and making things (needs lots of supervision) or role play games that require me to take part (usually firemen at the moment). I just can't get him interested in playing with his toys which I don't mind in itself but it does make getting on with anything very difficult! He'll play with toys if there are other children doing it, at toddler group or if a child comes to our house, but that's more to join in with them than because he wants to play with the toys. As he's an only at the moment his playmate most of the time is me. Most of the time that's fine but there are times when I need to get on with things and the only way I can do it is to park him in front of CBeebies (not ideal). He'll join in with 'helping' for a short while but not long.

I'm also worried that he's not learning to entertain himself apart from by watching TV. Does anyone have any suggestions about how to encourage him to play more, or to tell me that this is a phase that he'll grow out of?!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
LAB1009 · 24/10/2007 11:17

My DD was exactly the same as this, she wouldn't play with any of her toys and either wanted to watch the tv or me to play with her. Its definitely just a phase though as she now, at 4, plays quite happily on her own making up games and drawing etc.

GooseyLoosey · 24/10/2007 11:58

Ds (4.5) does not really and never has played with toys. Now he is older, he will play with contruction type toys like lego and magnetix and even play-doh and absolutely loves books.

Have you tried big lego blocks and play-doh?

Ds would never entertain himself at 2-3 but will now. When he said he no longer wanted an afternoon nap at nearly 3, we agreed he would have "quiet play" in his room, which he always did as he regarded it as a treat instead of sleeping. The other time he plays on his own is early in the morning - he does at times get up obscenely early - he is not allowed out of his room or to make any noise but he is allowed to play (if its after 6.00am) and he spends the time buidling amazing things.

Flibbertyjibbet · 24/10/2007 12:05

The clue is in your OP. He plays wiell with other children. He is a sociable child. Have another baby. Once mine got through the fighting stage they play happily together.

GTE · 24/10/2007 12:10

Perhaps he likes to do actuve stuff rather than play with toys?

Can you bear to let him get really messy and enjoy himself painting alone? Or give him a bowl of water and lots of plastic cups? My daughter loves that. Or she gets totally immersed in the kitchen cupboards or making her pens have conversations. She never played with her toys on her own until about 3 and still never plays with them as they are 'meant' to be played with.

Or pouring - give him some pots of sand/flour etc and just let him pour stuff from one to the other! Really this is the kind of things we pay Montessori schools good money for!

sorry not very inspiring oh, I know - give him some chores? Like ask him to wash some things for you - J could spend hours with soap, a bucket of water and some pots/clothes etc!!! Good luck.

doggiesayswoof · 24/10/2007 12:25

Dd was not keen on playing with toys either - she will now play on her own at 3 (mostly barbies/dolls/cars and people).

If you're working in the kitchen you could fill the sink or a bowl with soapy water and let him play at washing up - this worked well with dd when she was 2 (and she will still do it happily for ages).

doggiesayswoof · 24/10/2007 12:26

And as he gets a little older he may start role-playing/imaginative play on his own - dd did this before her 3rd birthday with different voices etc.

EnglishTeeth · 24/10/2007 14:10

Thanks everyone. He does love Play Doh (trampling it into the carpet mainly I think! ). He's never been to fussed about building blocks as he's struggled with the dexterity needed, but I'll try him again, thanks. I love the idea of making pens have conversations! Flibbertyjibbet, I think you may have something there about another baby being a solution! Thanks again

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