Having three kids under the age of 5 results in an absurd amount of play in the house...in fact, if they are not sleeping or crying, they're playing (even when they're eating they are playing).
The play that happens in our house takes on many forms. There is the kitchen table play; coloring, play-doh, little pretend people and their little pretend house with their little pretend "things", puzzles, and reading. Ella spends many hours a day at this table with this play...she enjoys it and loves it when others join her.
Then there is the family room and basement play. Cars and trucks, dolls and stuffed animals. Tickling and rough-housing, jumping and dancing. Ella will find herself participating in the more calm type of play in these areas yet enjoys watching the more active adventures.
Then there is the entire first floor play. Our house is designed so that one can make a complete circle going from the family room, through the kitchen, into the dining room, past the living room, and down the front hall back to the family room. I can remember when we bought the house how I knew that when we had kids this would be a favorite route to run. Ava and Henry do this often. Many times, if Ella is in her chair, they will push her along with them and all three have a great game of chase. Sometimes, however, Ava and Henry want to run so fast that they do not feel like pushing Ella...besides, it would be too dangerous for her to go so fast. So she watches.
I watched her watch today. Ava and Henry sped past her every 12 seconds as they raced around the "Casten Track". For the first 3-4 rounds she silently watched; she hadn't much expression on her face. It was as if she were deeply thinking about something as the other two whizzed by her. Then I saw her expression transform...from contemplation to sadness. Her eyes looked down, her body slumped a bit more than usual. Henry trucked by her and her expression changed once more as she yelled, "Henry STOP!". He didn't obey but kept on his way. As he rounded the corner by her again she yelled the same thing.
She wanted to run.
Later that evening we were in the basement. Ella was propped in the corner of the couch and Ava and Henry were standing in front of the couch playing on a coffee table with little people. Ella had some in her lap but I watched as she listened to Ava and Henry play. That expression came back. I asked Ava and Henry to include her in their play. At first they didn't but then they obliged. Her expression changed back to her happy self.
Afterwards, Henry found a ball. He excitedly started playing with it which naturally sparked Ella's interest in it. I found a beach ball to play with her in hopes that she could handle it. She delighted in the play we engaged in. She buried her face in the ball, threw the ball, picked up the ball, and enjoyed the ball.
Such an important part of childhood is wrapped deeply in the pleasures of play. The mind and body working together to produce excitement and satisfaction. The reaching out to others to share in the delight of manipulating objects, building imaginations, and freeing oneself through movement.
I worry sometimes about this part of Ella's development...
