When we were house hunting one of the most important things for me was a safe, enclosed garden so that the wee girl could play independently.
In our previous house we had a garden that opened directly on to the street; which meant that I had to hover whenever the wee girl was playing outside. It was fun to watch her, and to play with her, but I really wanted to give her more freedom to play by herself (and in all honesty playing spot the squirrel does lose it’s appeal after a while…).
With the recent installation of a fence at our new house, we now have that safe, enclosed garden.
I wrote about the kids first investigations of this new garden space a couple of weeks ago. Since then I have been encouraging the wee girl to go outside as often as I can. I have also been working on her independent play!
She has become used to having me as a play companion, and although this is no bad thing, it is now time for her to learn to be more comfortable playing alone; more self sufficient and imaginative.
I’ve tried to keep my distance and not take too many photos. And slowly we’re building up the amount of time she is happy to be alone, albeit with me watching from the kitchen!
She’s still a big fan of digging, need to get that mud kitchen started!
The Jenga blocks are being used for lots of tower building…
Banging a stick into the ground is great fun…
As is playing golf…?!
And, of course, we must stop to play air guitar at regular intervals!
Our collection of garden toys is a little haphazard at the moment! But really, you don’t need much to have fun and play. In fact, the best games are often the made up ones :)
Over the next few weeks a new play structure is going to be built in the garden, it’s currently in boxes on the driveway… This will be fantastic for the kids, and I can’t wait to see them play on it. It will be wonderful for the wee girls confidence and climbing skills.
Although, I’m not as sure about it encouraging independence, as I suspect my days will be spent pushing the wee girl faster, faster on a swing…
I’m linking up with the wonderful Country Kids at Coombe Mill, as always. Click on the badge to see what everyone else has been up to and be inspired to get outside!
As you say, it’s lovely to play with them, but it’s also important for them to have the freedom to play on their own and make their own choices. Looks like she’s got a fantastic place to play. Love the pics of her playing ‘the guitar’!
Everything vaguely guitar shaped becomes one :) I’m so pleased to have a play area for her at last!
Ah, it’s great to see them playing independently. I love the air guitar shots! My Little Man tends to favour digging, and a little golf. But if there was a swing, yes it’d be all about being pushed in that! x
Yes, I suspect that the swing will be the favourite spot once it’s up :)
Independant play will give you some much needed time back, it looks like your wee girl is taking to it really well. I’m excited to see your new play things, though as you rightly say play can come from almost anything. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids
Absolutely! I am looking forward to being able to sit in the kitchen and just watch :) I’m hoping that the structure will start to go up over the next week, but it’s quite big so will take my husband a little while to build :)
Oh my word I adore all those pics, especially the air guitar!! Far too cute. I look forward to having our own garden for these very reasons. H needs some encouragement playing alone but think he’s starting to get there xx
I think most kids need a bit of help to get used to playing on their own, and it does depend on their mood, but the wee girl is getting better and better and it’s lovely to watch x
Gorgeous photos Sara – how lovely to have that bit of outdoor space where the wee girl can play independently and she certainly looks like she is enjoying herself. I love the photos of her playing air guitar – so adorable! :-)
Yes, the air guitar is very funny!
That garden looks like the best place-she looks like she’s having so much fun exploring! And yes, I rather suspect you may well be ‘invited’ to be chief swing pusher :)
Yes, I suspect so! But, I can’t wait for the slide and swings to go up, all the kids are going to love it :)
My Children love the garden, my youngest spends hours out there. I love how she played guitar with the racket bless her x
She does love being outside, I just need to work on her being outside without me right next to her :)
We have a very random collection of garden toys too, eclectic if you will ;-) it’s great that you can now encourage independence and it sounds like the wee girl is enjoying her time to explore her new surroundings. Great pics as always, hasn’t her hair got long! xx
He hair really is getting long, and still curly :) She loves to be outside, so it’s wonderful to be able to start creating a fun and safe environment for her, and the others x
Ah looks like she is having so much fun out there! We have been doing the same with Monkey and he is pretty happy pottering about out there by himself with one of us popping out every now and then… It is lively I have to admit, and good for him :) xx #countrykids
Exactly, lovely for all of us :)
This is a great post! Harry is very clingy to me but just recently I have encouraged independent play and it’s been brilliant, for both of us. Love the air guitar playing :) x
It makes such a difference doesn’t it, and they have so much more imagination when they go off by themselves x
You’ve got great space and she looks like she’s getting stuck in. So hard when it’s time to let them go and be free, but nice when you’ve got fencing up. Our garden is open on one side, so n can go wandering round to the farmhouse. Luckily we’ve not had to close the gate to the farmyard yet, as he’s not gone wandering down there yet.
Ah, the wee girl would wander, and has done! She needs to be contained :) So glad to have somewhere that she can now have a bit of independence x
How wonderful that you can let her explore on her own now. I love watching my two exploring their new garden – who needs toys when you can find sticks and mud!
Its so important for children to have the chance to explore on their own. Its great for their imagination.
I love the guitar playing photos, made me smile!