‘ThemainreasonIinventedthisgameisbecauseIcan’tforthelifeofmedrawadonkey!’says Daisy. ‘But I can draw a face.It’samazingwhatbeingtrappedathomewithtwokidsdoestomyimagination... anything to stop a meltdown!’PinthefeaturesonthefaceGRAB...
●A pen
●Somepaperorcard
●Blu-Tack(orsomeplaydough
willdo!)
●Somethingto useasa blindfold
TOSETUP...
1.Drawthreequickfaceswith
differentfeatures(forexample,
onewidenose,onepointynose...)
onthepaperorcard.
2.Cutouteachfeature,thenstick
a bitof Blu-Tackto theback.
3.Drawanovalfaceshapeona big
pieceof paper, thentackit to the
wallora window.
4.Place thecut-outfeaturesabove
theovalfaceshape.
- Put the blindfold nearby.
TO PLAY...- When your little ones find this
set-up, show them how to put the
blindfold on.
2 Explain that, while blindfolded,
they have to pick one of the
features and try to stick it in the
right place on the face, and keep
going until they’ve made a face.
You can talk to them about the
feature they’ve selected, and
gently guide them towards the
right spot. - Once they’ve made
their funny face, let them
take off the blindfold for
giggles all round.
Help your little
one understand the
concept of time by settinga
timer for independent play.Set
the timer, put it somewhere
visible, and say ‘Mummy isbusy
while the timer is on.’ As a ruleof
thumb, a two-year-old will beable
todo 10 minutes of independent
play; a three-year-old
20 minutes.Don’t be
afraid to send your
little one away if you’re
busy working or have jobs to
do! Explain: ‘Mummy is busy
right now.’ Once you watch
where his imagination leads
him through independent
play, it will all be
worthwhile!Curb your
enthusiasm, and try
notto comment when
yousee your child fully
immersed in a task or a
game – despite your natural
inclination to praise! Let him
stay in his bubble, watch
from a distance,
and enjoy!Play
a quick
five-minutegamewith
yourtotfirst,giving your
full,undividedattention. This
willhelpkeepthemum-guilt at
bay,plusyourlittle one is much
morelikelyto continue
playinga gameif you’ve
shownhimhow to
doit first!Create an
invitation to play by
setting up three toys or
activities in plain sight. Your
youngster is much more
likely to explore the toys
himself if he can
actually see
them!5
tips for encouraging
independent play...GIMME FIVE!86 | June 2020 | motherandbaby.co.uk