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Expert Q&A
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| By Rae Pica Physical Activity Specialist | ||
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Is it OK if I sometimes let my children play by themselves?
Yes! Parents often worry that if they're not facilitating their children's play, or playing with them, their children won't be learning anything important. But children who play on their own learn to solve problems, negotiate, resolve conflicts and discover their strengths and weaknesses. They get to experiment, take calculated risks and test themselves. Play is the only arena in which a young child gets to be in control, which helps him learn to be self-sufficient and independent. So, while you certainly want to sometimes play with your child, you also want to ensure he has plenty of chances for self-directed play!
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