Play Time

I read an interesting article last month, "Going Solo", in American Baby. The main idea of the article was about giving babies a chance to be independent players to develop confidence and to promote cognitive development. I thought it was such a change of pace from what I've seen on forums and other baby articles, but it made a lot of sense to me. If I structure Carly's day 100%, then where does she learn to think for herself or develop her imaginative play. I've started giving Carly this time each day, and gradually upping the time that she plays solo with a given toy or toys. It has blown me away to watch how she entertains herself. She will begin with banging two toys together, then throwing one and reaching for it - each time throwing it just a little bit farther than the last. She has also begun singing/telling stories to herself. (I can't quite tell with the tone she is using.) Unfortunately, I don't get to see her facial expressions while she is playing this way because as soon as she knows I'm watching her she stops.