simplicity in play

One of the many child rearing principles that my husband and I share is a belief in open ended toys that inspire imagination and creativity.  We decided early on to critically limit the amount of electronic toys Gabriel has access to--with a few exceptions for gifts from family members--knowing that we wanted more for our son than to make something beep with the touch of a button.  We want Gabriel to grow, explore the world, and to learn without being overburdened and overstimulated by an electronic jangle of noise.

So, the toys he has are very simple but open ended and inspiring--a basket of toddler legos,  a couple of baskets of different style blocks, a wooden push cart, chunky wooden puzzle, and a basket of "treasures."  His basket of treasures holds a wooden spoon, a solid wood embroidery hoop, a small ceramic bowl, some play silks, a jar of fabric scraps, and a colorful tin with butterflies on it. 

Today, Gabriel played with another "treasure" he found around the house--a market bag.  I always use a canvas market bag to carry our library books back and forth.  And in perfect imitation of Mama he took a bag and filled it with bunch of of his books and carried them into the living room to read.

Being his mama, of course, I was enthralled and amazed at his endeavor.  His action was so purposeful and complete. I love that he loves books, and that he found pleasure in a simple object--just a market bag, but it provided more than any electronic toy could ever give him: the opportunity to use his motor skills, a task to carry out, and the success of accomplishment.  He did it all by himself!

Then as it goes in most toddler's lives, there is a time to be a big boy, and a time to cleave to Mama.  We had a doctor's appointment today for a weight check.  All was well with him physically, but he was overwhelmed by the scale and needed me right then and there--half dressed and still very much a little one--climbing up into the crook of my neck to snuggle. We finally got him weighed, he had a flu shot (just cried for a minute and it was done), and a nice visit with our pediatrician. He got a sticker and a copy of "Owl Babies," which made for a very happy
little boy at the end of the visit. 

This evening, before I left for the library, he brought me some books to read on the sofa. My little reading guy....