?Fine line btwn teaching them to play by themselves & ignoring them?

[caspercat]

OK, dd now 11 mths. Generally plays with toys well by herself. MIL always told me it's important she learns to amuse herself so doesn't always rely on me. At the age she is now, obviously v. inquisitive about everything.
So, if i'm reading (or on MN!) while in same room as her, she plays for a while, then starts to try to play with photo frames, (fake) coals in fire (no fireguard as moving in 2 wks time where there will be no fire), candles etc (is crawling & cruising). So then i say a firm but nice no, and move her away back to her toys, and say 'good girl' for playing with her toys. This is then repeated till the only way to stop her is to play with her toys with her. So then she's not learning to play by herself, is she? Also, is this the beginnings of doing things she shouldn't just to get my attention??
Don't get me wrong, we have plenty of 1 on 1 time (singing, etc), but am not sure what to do for the best?

Sorry for long post!!

Yep, 10 minutes is fabulous. After that, I used to move us both to a different room and do something else there (eg me - laundry, dd - tipping the clothes pegs out).

Although neither of mine could move by 11 months so that made a difference.

And she doesn't know what she should or shouldn't do. And of course she's trying to get your attention - that's all they do for the next 10 years, its normal.

But as a general policy, leaving them to it until they start trashing the place, sounds good. Works for me!

Agree with the others.

Neither of mine showed much interest in actual toys until at least 2 (3 in DS case).

Both kids favourite at that age was playing with dry pasta and saucepan, wooden spoons etc. But never for long without company.

My DD is also 11 months, and you have just described a typical afternoon in my house I am assuming this is pretty normal. I leave her to investigate the room, picking things up etc, and just moving her back to her toys when she's playing with anything she shouldn't be (fireplace etc)

This thread makes me feel sooooo much better!!!