McDume,
i agree that it is important for a child to have his space and learn the 'joyful habit of independent play' but as someone mention, everything in life has to be balanced because humans since babies have to have interaction with others.
I remember when my grandson was aroun 16 month he sat on his pack and play and enjoy singing while turning the pages of one of his first books. He was really having a good time.
Thanks for this site, not only that link is very good but it takes us to others that are also very helpful. i hope the day has more than 24 hours.
Karma to you.