My grandchildren love small figures (my grandson calls the human ones his 'guys') that they manipulate in various dramas. They've done this since they were old enough to talk. It fascinates me how well young children become story-teller, director, animator, stage and prop hand, camera man/woman - maneuvering among these roles with ease.
Often we film these mini-dramas (I take photos & compile in slideshows; lately they're doing their own with a Flip camera.) On our recent trip to Maine, we took along some 'B movie figures' that I had found (like the man on the left above) and a couple artist models (like the one at right.)
The figures went everywhere with us and the grandchildren: to the dock, to the lawn, to the picnic table, in the car. I brought some home with me. They're like book characters - set them up and see what they say and do.
I've lost my mind, right?
Sounds like you have lots of fun! FYI, Barbie clothes fit the artist's mannequins pretty well.
ReplyDeleteYou most certainly have not lost your mind. I LOVE this! In an age where kids stare at TVs or play mindless video games for hours, it's awesome they use their imaginations and create things. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. Did you get the cucumber recipe I emailed?
ReplyDeleteLori: yes - sent you an email back . . .
ReplyDeleteCreating 'dramas' with my little green army men entertained me for hours. Amazing what kids will do to make their fun.
ReplyDeleteTry asking them to describe in detail how to take a bath, not a shower. I used to find it interesting to have my senior high school students questions like that, not bathing, but how to tie shoes described in details good enough so that someone listening to the description makes attempts to tie shoes...
ReplyDeleteSuch play should be encouraged... and cherished. Creative little minds (as in those of children) are a marvel.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a child, I collected model horses. I used to take them outside, pose them and take their picture. The backgrounds in the photos varied: trees, farm buildings, whatever worked. I still have the photos and I giggle inside whenever I look at them. My intentions were good but the photos were so bad. It's hard to make plastic "come to life."
Some of us never mature beyond such creativity. I am actually quite happy that I never did. If you think you may have lost your mind, you may want to take a moment to see a recent post on my blog... Roma Makes A Friend. (check Blog Archive) I was sure people would think I've lost it when they saw what I did with one of my cherished Roma tomatoes.
Of course you haven't lost your mind! I like listening and imagining, but I just cannot get myself to play the part/role when I am with my nieces. When does the pretending flee from children?
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon...read your post about Maine. I've not been there, but it sounds paradisaical!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to say I haven't checked to see if your books are carried by B&N. I shall do so the next time we stop there! I would guess they are...but I'll let you know.