I am sitting in kids’s room right now watching Lyla play. H has so graciously shared her kitchen and kitchen toys with Lyla.
At first, Lyla did not know what to do. And then it hit me… she has never had toys to really play with, and doesn’t know what to do with them. I observed this in the orphanage. There was one red push and ride car that a child was sitting on, and I was sent a photo of Lyla on this when we officially got referred to her. She has played with some dolls and known to carry them around. And, she has toted a purse around, but I think it is because she sees me toting a bag around.
I put a little baby in a high chair, and started to pretend to feed the baby. But Lyla, did not like that. She quickly grabbed the plate and spoon away and held it near to her chest. It showed me she thought I was giving away food to that baby and not to her. I realized she did not even know how to pretend play.
So I started to pretend feed her and myself, and she started to mimic. We have been in here playing about two hours now, and she is getting the hang of it pretty well. In fact, I just enjoyed my third glass of pretend Chai tea. 🙂
Now I realize I need to buy her some kitchen toys. I have a little kitchen she can stand at, but no dishes and pretend food and pitchers. Our house is full of boy toys. KP has a little bit of girl stuff, but not much.
Get ready boys, we are about to get girly-fied up in the house! 🙂
She just came to me and motioned she was ready to take a nap… She must be tired… cooking, even when it is pretend, wears me out too!