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5 year old doesn't play with toys, is that normal?

1 reply

SecretlyListeningToWestlife · 13/09/2021 14:20

Over lockdown I'm afraid our DS had rather a lot of screen time while we worked, we've since rolled back on that significantly so that he has a much better mix of activities but he seems, in that time, to have completely stopped playing with toys.

His first choice is screens, always. He loves gaming and watching YouTubers talk about gaming Confused We set fairly strict restrictions on that to a level we're happy with.

The rest of the time he mooches about, pesters us, or will occasionally play in a physical way (ie jump on trampoline, go on swings, races or chasing games). He'll play with us if it's a board game or similar, but in general he really struggles to entertain himself.

He doesn't:

  • play imagination games like his toy castle, his batman figures, cars etc
  • play building or construction games like Lego, magnets etc
  • colour or draw
  • happily play independently 'in his own world'

Should we be encouraging more play? If so, how?

He's possibly outgrown some of his toys but others he definitely hasn't, like Lego.

Any suggestions? I don't feel like he has a broad enough mix of activities and that he is missing out on key skills/concentration that comes from play. And he really struggles to entertain himself!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Pissinthepottyplease · 13/09/2021 15:56

It’s like he has lost the ability to play by himself. Imaginative play is fairly important so I would cut back on screen time (how much does he having now?) and if he says he is bored then redirect him to his toys. It’s good for him to get bored. You or a screen don’t need to be entertaining him 24/7.

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