I bought this train set in Florida exactly a year ago. It was the day Tropical Storm Fay started to bear down on us and we were desperate for indoor activities to pass time between tornado warnings and thunderstorms.
L was barely 3 then and C, just 15 months old, had yet to gain control of his fine motor abilities. So when we peeled open the package I was the only one interested in playing.
As I slid the smooth, wooden tracks together that day, I dreamed about all of the fun we'd have with it as a family. I envisioned all four of us huddled around the area rug, piecing the little village together and letting it be the backdrop for some amazing stories. I was eager for my children to start leading the play.
In a matter of months, L caught on. My heart trilled as I watched her master making loops out of the tracks and carefully setting out the tiny houses and trees to make her neighborhood of make believe. L managed the train and other miniature vehicles as if they were her pets, requiring food, beds and cradling.
I couldn't wait to see how C would use the pieces for his own type of play scenarios. This week, he finally sat down and spent a good chunk of time with it.
He ran the train round-and-round the tracks on hands and knees, making lots of mechanical sounds and saying things like: "Here comes train! Choo-choo!"
He gingerly pieced the box cars together whenever they would jump the tracks and I smiled as I watched him make that railroad come to life in his own way.
Soon, however, C quickly became frustrated with having to reassemble the tracks and the loading crane whenever his not-so-nimble fingers pushed a little too hard on the pieces. And after repeatedly stepping in to help fix the problem, while trying to get dinner prepared, I insisted on stowing the train set for the night to avoid further aggravation.
In time, he'll grow more patient with the menagerie of movable parts and his sister will see that he's ready to set his mind to some serious railroad manipulation and she'll join him.
I can't wait to see what their unique brands of creativity will produce when they put their busy brains together.
Precious little hands.
ReplyDeleteThat is an adorable train set. My MIL just got us a plastic set that's quite unsightly, and difficult to assemble, at that. I'd love to have such a cute train set! (Wow - greedy lil' thing, aren't I :) ) We're still trying to manage the little hands being too rough with the trains and knocking stuff over, but you're right - it will come. The creative possibilities here are endless.
ReplyDeleteI love that photo of C in front of the couch - I can just hear him choo-chooing :)
We have spent many a rainy or snowy afternoon with our train set as well. I bought our big wooden one when we were trapped inside during a Hurricane at the beach!!(too Funny)
ReplyDeleteTry adding some playsilks to the mix for water, snow, land and see where it takes them!
Fondly,
MaryLea (aka Pink and green mama)