Classically, when parents go to a toy store, it's their job to say "No" a lot. We're far from classical, apparently.
Mowgli now has a toy drum because his father thought he needed it. He agrees with his father, as it happens, but it wasn't his idea. Neither were the wooden puzzles, though he loves them, or the new vocabulary-building board books which give him so many opportunities to announce "Wheel!" and "Door!" He did pick out the little football, though.
The funny part is, we were looking for an airplane. Nothing fancy, just the kind of airplane a small boy can run around the house with, holding it overhead and going "Vwoooosh!" It appears that these toys are simply not available. He seems to be perfectly happy to let his foam letter T perform the office. No doubt this is good for his imagination. We live near an airport, which has turned out to be an unexpected boon to raising a happy child. He loves that we can say, "Hey, let's go look for airplanes!" and generally get one within a few minutes. He loves chasing them across the yard.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Things I've Learned From Children's Television
People with small dogs didn't love their puppies as much as they could have. (Clifford)
8 plus 12 divided by 2 equals 10. (Crashbox)
If you are lost in the woods, follow a frog. (Wow Wow Wubbzy)
Nature and animals are all friendly. (nearly all of them)
No-one can do anything alone. (WonderPets)
The use-mention distinction is irrelevant. (Word World)
Unaccompanied monkeys can accomplish a lot. (Curious George)
Corollary: Adults don't know much.
You can influence what happens on the TV. (Most Nick JR programming)
Cockoos have family ties. (Go Diego Go)
Pigs are a lot like people. (Olivia, Peppa Pig, Toot and Puddle)
Gorillas have kings, lines of inheritance, and coronations. (Go Diego Go)
A map doesn't need to indicate direction, forks in the road, or distance. (Dora the Explorer)
Dogs, cats, and other common pets don't talk; other animals do. (Most)
The wind will change direction 180 degrees when your boat reaches the other end of the pond. (Little Bill)
Rivers may be found next to gorges. (Go Diego Go)
Fairy tales all have happy cooperative endings. (Super Why)
8 plus 12 divided by 2 equals 10. (Crashbox)
If you are lost in the woods, follow a frog. (Wow Wow Wubbzy)
Nature and animals are all friendly. (nearly all of them)
No-one can do anything alone. (WonderPets)
The use-mention distinction is irrelevant. (Word World)
Unaccompanied monkeys can accomplish a lot. (Curious George)
Corollary: Adults don't know much.
You can influence what happens on the TV. (Most Nick JR programming)
Cockoos have family ties. (Go Diego Go)
Pigs are a lot like people. (Olivia, Peppa Pig, Toot and Puddle)
Gorillas have kings, lines of inheritance, and coronations. (Go Diego Go)
A map doesn't need to indicate direction, forks in the road, or distance. (Dora the Explorer)
Dogs, cats, and other common pets don't talk; other animals do. (Most)
The wind will change direction 180 degrees when your boat reaches the other end of the pond. (Little Bill)
Rivers may be found next to gorges. (Go Diego Go)
Fairy tales all have happy cooperative endings. (Super Why)
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