How do I get this toddler to play independently?

Question

I watch a one year old boy during the day. We play outside when it is nice out and he roams free in my living room when I am in there with him, but if I need to go to the bathroom or make lunch or tend to one of my kids, I put him in a playard. The playard is huge and filled with toys that I rotate from day to day. The problem is, as soon as I set him down in there he screams, and he will scream until I am finished with what I am doing and come get him. As soon as he is picked up, he is fine. He is also fussy when I sit him on the floor, not in the playard, to play. He just sits there and screams. How do I get him to play independently? I can't hold him all day, nor do I think he should be held all day.

Answer 1

Let him cry it out. Its a shame his real mother isnt doing this as well...

I noticed you said she holds him.

Thats why he crys when you set him down..  

Answer 2

He is just used to be held. Its find for him to cry it out. He will eventually learn its ok to not be held & to be by himself for a short time.  

Answer 3

let him scream until he learns...and take extra time to make sure he learns...he can't scream forever!

Answer 4

Talk to his parents to find out how is is with them you moight find that its behaviour that is allowed in the home.

Come to an arrange with the parents on how to best deal with this so that it is handled in the same way.

If its not a problem at home the parents may offer you the best advise otherwise I suggest you let him cry for a bit until he knows that he won't get his own way