This week I have had the opportunity to watch how my kids play and interact while at home for the school holidays. I now know some interesting things which I thought I would share…
1. Last week I would have said my son didn’t play with toys. He usually spends his time at home watching TV or drawing pictures or writing comics or reading. He doesn’t often just play with things in an imaginative way (he is a facts boy, after all!)
2. This week, I have seen him playing with a Lego Ninjago figure and I have been spellbound by it all. From the moment he got it as part of a kids magazine he insisted on building it himself (I am usually the Lego Foreman around here, he never wants to build things himself) and I have loved listening to him setting up scenarios and concocting missions for it to complete.
3. I’ll be honest and say that I have not been so spellbound by some of the language he has used as part of his game. He seems to be quite taken with some not ideal language that can be found in the Toy Story films (his favourites are moron, idiot and doofus – charming) which he thinks are fine to use because they are not swear words and are in a G rated film. Sigh…great logic but terrible words, regardless.
4. Both kids have been on mini sleepovers and came back happy and ready to go again next time. Gilbert in particular had a wonderful time before the weather turned bad while Matilda was disppointed she didn’t get to do as many things on her turn later in the week. But it was still amazing to let them go for a few days and see them come back happy and with an even better relationship with their grandparents.
5. The kids have also enjoyed lots of social interaction this week as we flit from playdate to playdate. They have met up with friends at an indoor play centre, visited a local all-abilities park with their scooters, gone to tennis coaching and shared morning tea at a local shopping centre.
6. Today they are off to the newly opened Newcastle Museum where Gilbert is going to meet up with his best friend from school for a one-on-one catch-up. It’s wonderful to see his excitement for both the outing and or seeing his friend!
7. Matilda also enjoyed a successul one-on-one playdate earlier this week with a friend from tennis coaching. She had a wonderful time at her friend’s house, playing with her collection of My Little Ponies and taking turns being the big sister!
All in all, I know that I am a proud mother this week seeing how well my kids are playing and interacting with others. It shows fantastic progress and I can’t wait to see how much more progress they will make in the coming year!
Lovely post!I love watching children play!
I have really enjoyed having the time to watch them play this week and to be involved in the odd game too! Wish I had that time more often…
Yay for progress 🙂
It’s all good – progress is great!
That’s such great news, Kirsty. I really enjoy their imaginations taking over when they play. I especially love seeing how Ella and Baby Holly are starting to interact more when they play. Very cute. x
It’s great, particularly when it doesn’t come naturally to them. Of course, they could pick more appropriate times to try their new skills out than just before we’re ready to leave for school (they were playing Care Bears very loudly this morning – Matilda was all the Care Bears combined while Gilbert was the villain, No Heart!) Lovely to see but not very convenient for getting out the door on time!
Fabulous new and wonderful to read about all your recent progress Kirsty! I love the imaginative play! Something I know seems to simple and expected. I like watching the uniqueness with which children on the spectrum discover things in their own way, but it is also so heartwarming to see them extend themselves. Beautiful! xx
Glad the sleepovers went well and I look forward to following your future progress too 🙂
I loved your recent post about Big Bear’s progress – how fantastic! Those milestones, however little, never cease to amaze. I remember doing a dance of joy when Gilbert finally learned to use the toilet for numbers 2’s at the ripe old age of 4 – that took time and energy and perseverance and we were so proud that he finally got there! Looking forward to reading all about your ongoing journey too!