I’m always interested in the way Nicky interacts with his toys. I’ve always believed in the therapeutic benefit of play too, and the way kids act out things or emotions through their games. Lately there has been rather a lot happening in our family and it has been curious for me to see how Nicky has been playing this out, particularly in the way he likes to build hospitals.
Soon after we returned from PE the first time we drove past a really bad accident. After a robbery at Pick n Pay the robbers fled, chased by police. Some people died and innocent people too. One was a motor bike rider. We saw a man being helped by paramedics. He was later airlifted to hospital but died of his injuries.
I talked to Nicky about this and he did have lots of questions. Nicky has a helicopter which has a police man. He also has a robber and an ATM. He calls the robber a “goblin” because of some lego YouTube video he watched which had a goblin as the bad guy who stole Lightning’s egg surprise. In any case it is fun for him to catch the robber, put him in the helicopter and make sure he goes to jail. Or hospital, because of injuries.
When we were at the hospital visiting DH it was a real thrill for Nicky to see a helicopter land. I explained how the helicopter helps transport people in emergencies. He was fascinated by this and likes to put the helicopter on his hospital that he builds.
Nicky likes to use plastic blocks to make the hospital. He also has a lego man on a bike. He re-enacts an accident and gets an ambulance to take him to hospital. Then he uses the doctor set to give him medicine.
Nicky also likes to build another building attached to the hospital and put lots of cars in too. At one stage he had walls of animals around too.
He chatters along as he builds and plays and it is the cutest thing to listen to.
Many of these lego racing guys do not have the best of expressions. I think they are gearing up for a big jump or race and maybe don’t like smiling. But this really bothered Nicky so we made a sticker of a smile to put over a frown. I think he doesn’t like them to be angry.
Nicky also likes to build houses and draw them too. He always makes sure someone is sleeping on the bed and someone is on the toilet! When we came back from our last PE trip he drew Granny and Grampa outside in the rain (it was raining in PE).
I have to admire the way he works through what he sees around him with the aid of his toys. I have to admire his helping spirit in the way he wants to help the injured person.
But most of all I am just glad to have a little boy playing in our home.
Smart boy… It’s amazing how kids process things. You have all been through so much in such a short space of time
How is daddy? And how is your hubby? Praying for you all
Dad is doing better, can breathe now and speak. Possibly going to rehab soon! Hubby much better!
It is amazing how kids process everything through play, although it should not be surprising as there is a huge industry of play therapists who make a lot of money 😉
Hope you are doing ok Heather, I’ve been thinking of you as your family deals with these challenges.
xxx
Thanks Sam. xxx
What a clever boy. Love that he drew smileys for the Lego men, that’s so much better!