Alone time
Independent play
You have things to do. They can play alone. These help.
Find yours in 10 secondsThe Invisible Journey
Close your eyes. You're traveling somewhere right now. Where do you go?
The Favorites Lists
Make 5 lists of your favorites. A different category for each list.
The Eyes-Closed Drawing
Draw something specific with your eyes closed. Open, look at the disaster, laugh, try again.
The Dream Location
Guide them to their favorite place in 5 sentences, then let them draw every detail.
The Tape Town
One roll of masking tape, the living room floor, and 60-90 minutes of self-directed play.
Sound Map
Eyes closed, three minutes of pure listening — then describe every sound heard and which direction it came from.
The Timer Contract
Before starting: 15 minutes of work, then a real 5-minute break, and keep both ends of the contract, every time.
The Order Choice
The child picks which homework to start and in what order. The work doesn't change, but who controls the entry point does.
The Drawing Dump
Paper on the table, pen in hand, 10 minutes to draw absolutely anything — no comments on what it is.
The Backwards Sock
Put the sock on their hand instead of their foot, and they'll correct you immediately.
The Check-In Signal
"I'll come back in 10 minutes", and the separation anxiety dissolves before you've closed the door.
The Brave Thought
"Think of one thing you're not afraid of", then build the list from there.
The Safe Room Audit
Two minutes checking every corner together, and the room is certified safe.
The Order Choice
"Socks first or shirt first? You pick", and the resistance to getting dressed disappears.
The Illustrated Book
Staple five pages together. In 45 minutes, they'll hand you a finished book.
The Taste Rater
Thumbs up, sideways, or down. Judging replaces refusing.
The Morning Body Scan
Start with the toes. Wiggle them, then the ankles, then the knees. And the body wakes itself up.
Box Breathing
Breathe in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4 — and trace a square in the air while you do it.
The Whisper Setup
Lean in and whisper the beginning of a world. Leave before you explain it.
The Window Report
Watch the window for 5 minutes and report everything that happened out there.
The Ceiling Map
Find 5 things hiding in the patterns on the ceiling, the blanket, or the wall.
The Sound Map
Lie still, close your eyes, and map every sound you can hear in the house.
The Imaginary Menu
Design a menu for a restaurant that only you would want to eat at — every dish, every name, every price.
The Postcard
One small card to someone they love, and you actually send it.