My granddaughter, Blair (8 months old), and I enjoy playing with Fisher Price Little People. Her toy bin is filled with them…some inherited from my her dad (my son). On days when I babysit, I carefully unzip the plastic case where the Little People live when not in play. Then Blair and I spread them all over the play area (not so carefully). My daughter-in-law, Blair’s mom, used her Cricut to label the case “Little People.” I always point that out to Blair. It’s a great way for her to learn that, not only do her toys have a name, they also have a special place to call their own.
Once the case is unzipped, Blair and I pretend that it’s a huge glass-bottomed boat.
I line up the little dolls, clustering characters from the same sets together: Woody, Bo Peep, Ducky, Jesse, Buzz, and Bullseye from Toy Story; Santa, Dasher, and the red-tobogganed elf from the Christmas Eve set; a snow skier, snow boarder, and white kitten (We call her Snowy Cat!) from the Little People Advent Calendar; Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto from the Disney set; Elphaba from Wicked (We’ve lost Glinda…); several princesses, including three Belles, Princess Peach, Ariel, Jasmine, and Rapunzel. Oh, we have quite the set up!
I hide Little People in Blair’s stacking cups. She finds them and rescues them, making several attempts to scoop them out of the cups with her pudgy little fingers. Once the toy breaks free and spills onto the carpet, we celebrate by clapping our hands.
Sometimes, Blair chooses a little person to act as the villain and uses him or her to knock down all the people I’ve lined up. Then I set them up again, calling roll as they take their place in the clear plastic case.
“Get on board the boat!” I say cheerfully. Blair smiles, showing her three perfect bottom teeth. Her villain knocks another toy overboard.
At only 8-months-old, I’m not sure if Blair will remember these days; but I’m confident that she’s learning that I can be counted on for hours of fun. Today, she applauded when she saw me walk in the door. What a great way to start the day…confirmation that my retirement was the right move for our family, allowing me time to spend with my favorite little person!
10 responses to “Learning to Play with Little People”
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“I’m not sure if Blair will remember these days; but I’m confident that she’s learning that I can be counted on for hours of fun.” This is full of compelling writing as well as the pure joy of being a grandparent! I love that Blair applauds when you arrive, and that you celebrate by clapping hands when Blair rescues her little people. (My grandson has said, “Yay Trishma” and made my day.) No wonder she’s napping. Maybe you ought to, too, because today’s post is done and napping is the pause to recharge. (I also investigated Cricut a bit, wondering if I could explore it further. Always new things I find when I engage with this community.)
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Thanks, Trish! I love that your grandson calls you “Trisha!” My daughter-in-law enjoys her Cricut. She can make vinyl lettering.
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So joyful to read! Memories you will cherish and that are planting love and learning in that little heart.
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Thank you, Diane! I’m so happy I get to be her babysitter!
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What a fun time you both have. Memories are being made for both of you. I think it is great that Blair is learning that when done playing, there is a special place for the Little People to go and not just be left out.
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I hope that lesson sticks. Both my boys struggled with picking up their rooms. I remember the battles!
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This is delightful and while she will not likely remember this game, she will remember you come, care and create fun. I figure it is planting seeds for the future filled with smiles and people who care enough to create vivid scends out of Little People and to bring endless boxes of markers and papers to eager little artist!
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We have so much fun already, it’s hard to imagine how much more fun we will have when she’s able to color and draw and dance!
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Lori, what lovely memories you are making in the day to day interactions with Blair. Your presence in her life and the fun and play and learning are gifts I wish every child could have – – learning from those who truly, truly love them. She is a blessed little girl, and you are a blessed grandma! Oh, the Little People!!! I still remember them.
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Thank you! We’re enjoying our play days!
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