How do your little ones play?

[tempnamechange98765]

My DS is 4, nearly 5, and I have found how he plays a bit odd for a while.

He loves toys - generally anything vehicle related including Transformers, Octonaut Gups etc. His main method of play is to push his vehicles etc around or make them fly, whilst making the relevant sound effect or singing/humming a little tune - sometimes the TV theme tune of whatever toy he is playing with. He doesn't seem to do very much narrating at all.

His imagination seems fine, not hugely creative, but spontaneous enough. He is fairly needy and always wants someone to play with him, and when I play with him there will be a very basic plot line.

I see other boys his age playing out elaborate storylines on their own with toys or in the park etc, and DS would just never do that, or if he would it's extremely rare.

Does this sound normal/familiar?

It’s certainly very familiar from my four year old - though I couldn’t say if it’s normal or not!

He sounds completely normal

That's really good to know thank you both. He's never been a boy to take himself off to is room and play on his own, whereas I know some of his friends do and they seem to do a lot more narrating an actual scenario/plot etc.

Sounds very normal! Oh for a child that happily took themselves off to their room to play for a bit. Mine don't do that.

My son is nearly 5 and makes up long winded narrations with his toys and voices
Etc. He is an only child but happy to play on his own (thank god). Children play in their own way I think.

TeachesofPeaches yes what you describe is what I envisaged to be honest!

Very normal, I wish mine would play independently sometimes as they love to involve me! I love it but it can be a hassle trying to do some housework.

Mine is 5 in February and it's very rare she'll play alone for more than 10 minutes and that's often only once a week 😂
If your not actively playing she's following you, nagging you to play or asking for TV

@tempnamechange98765 mine also often has the tv or YouTube in the background, perhaps that feels like 'company' to him so he doesn't nag me to play as well.

By the end of reception he will be assessed on communication and social elements. Have a look for the Early learning goals online. How does he play with other children?

Russell19 yes ok from what I can see, pre covid he would go off upstairs with friends or at friends' houses (I mean mainly my friends' kids!). He plays nicely with friends in the park on the playground equipment and he seems to play with friends in school from what I can gather. Seems like they mainly just run around on the playground though!!!

Just bumping this to ask for tips on encouraging independent play, if anyone has any??? My DS is almost 5 and he just hounds me and seems incapable of entertaining himself without a screen, it's exhausting!