I’ve noticed a huge change in Logan’s play over the last couple of weeks. He has always been a very active kid. His play usually consisted of pushing, pulling, riding, running, jumping… etc. He has always craved lots of big gross motor movements and proprioceptive input. He has never really engaged in a lot of pretend play with toys or much building play with blocks, legos, train tracks, etc. He has done these activities, but he was rarely the one to initiate–usually only when a friend started the play. And when he would engage in one of these types of play, it was never very long lasting.
I first noticed this difference several years ago when Logan’s same aged friends started building with blocks and playing with little figures. It was more noticeable when the boys went to their co-op preschool and then even more when Atticus started playing like this (since he’s 2 years younger than Logan). I noticed the difference but chose to not really do anything about it–other than maybe model some pretend play here and there. To me, that’s just been his personality. He’s very literal. Very black and white. No room for pretend and WAY too busy to actually sit down and build anything– actually his favorite thing to do when I would model building with blocks was to completely destroy my creations. He thought it was hilarious!
Imagine my surprise when I discover that over the past couple of weeks, Logan has been disappearing into his bedroom (with his door closed to keep that pesky, destructive sister out) and building with blocks and train tracks! He’s been playing with little action figure dudes– building their secret hideouts and making them ride the train. He’s been playing!!! Like really, seriously playing!!! All by himself… totally initiated independently. My heart is so happy!!! <3
The other big thing about this– he picked this type of play over screen time! Atticus was in the living room watching a movie and Logan’s Nintendo 3DS with brand new games were sitting on the shelf in his room. He picked building over TV and videogames. I’m in shock!
I can’t wait to see where this new love of play leads us…. and what other big developmental changes are on the horizon for us. Maybe he will magically start loving to write and color! 😉
