Other Blogs I write

Wednesday, 29 July 2009

Tip 180: Human figurines/dolls of family













At the beginning ages, either before 1 year old or just after, a baby is amused by playing with different cuddly cute animals. The baby is tickled by the different sounds of the animals and the different actions they make - whether they fly, wag their tails or jump from tree to tree. Mimicking these action and sounds stir their curiosity and interest. Baby could play by themselves after guidance from parents on how to role play these different animals.












As the baby's communication with adults and other children improves, they begin to love talking. They have a fondness towards friendly people and those that care for them. They understand the concept of family and love. This is the time when they are fond of human dolls and human character toys. Especially, those that form a whole family.












When playing nowadays, Haruka likes to associate old human toy characters she sees as her grandparents. After her visit to Ishigaki island followed by frequent phone calls, her fond memories stay. I would be making more trips to Malaysia soon so Haruka would also spend more time with her Malaysian grandparents.












Haruka would roleplay phone conversations with these human figurines. She would call them oba-chan (grandmother), ojisan (grandfather). Genki desuka? (Are you well in Japanese).












She would also try to speak some simple conversations that she overheard between daddy and mummy. Or common words we use such as itekimasu (leaving and coming back soon), tadaima (I am back), okaeri (welcome home), please eat, orikou ne (clever child). This is how she begins to learn to speak in full sentences and revise her speaking from memory. If daddy is free, daddy would introduce more creative situations in the play to have a variety of conversations. Though, Haruka is already learning to do that. Of course, she looks forward to be entertained by new ideas always or funny face expressions.












(Photos show Taketomi island, a small quiet neighbouring island of Ishigaki island (Tomomi's hometown), Okinawa. The island's main activity is the occasional tourism activity that includes a water buffalo cart ride around the sandy paths between the houses. A shisa is shown, carved out of stone and shells on a stone fence that surrounds Taketomi houses).

No comments :