Those Darn Fisher Price Little People

In the days when I was a teacher, I had a classroom filled with a variety of centers and stations. These areas were mainly designated to foster play in my students as a way to release stress or process emotions. Because the kids in my class were placed with me due to behavior issues, those areas were used quite a bit.

Often times I would see a child playing at the sandtable, muttering things to themselves. On the occasions that I could make out what was being said I would hear the child reenacting prior conversations (usually with a parent) or situations.

Play is a great tool for kids to convey what exactly is on their little minds, behavior issue or not.

Monday is one of my favorite days of the week because I keep us home on that day. I attempt to avoid scheduling any playdates, I postpone all trips to Target, and I usually cook Mac-n-Cheese for lunch...it is a great day. This morning we had quite the lengthy play session with some new toys from the consignment sale. As lunch time neared I decided a short video would help everyone start to settle down and give me 15 minutes or so to do some writing.

As Isaac and I (and no less than 15 stuffed animals) sat on the couch, E. found herself a place on the floor along with her beloved Little People figures. Soon Winnie the Pooh and Tigger filled our television screen and I became lost in thought as I jotted ideas in my little notebook. A few minutes later, I heard Evelyn talking. I glanced up, attempting not to catch her eye, and saw her energetically playing with her new Little People SUV (again, consignment find), the Mommy figure, and the baby figure.

Here is the conversation that ensued from little Evelyn's mouth:

"Stro-der" (Stroller) said while holding Mommy figure

"No! Walk!" said while holding baby figure

"Stro-der" Mommy figure again

The conversation went downhill after this little exchange due to the arrival of the Little People school bus on the scene and the distraction of attempting to tame the mane of the lion figure.

Like I said above, play is a great tool for kids to convey emotions.

Evelyn and I have a very similar stroller discussion on a regular basis. Seems that her Little People experience such issue as well.

Perhaps I should drop another dollar in the "Therapy Fund" jar on my way to bed tonight...