Child Led Play - BBQ

(Goblin is 34 months)

Today we went to a BBQ with some good friends. Our group is breeding and as a result there are lots of kids at all our gatherings (and more on the way). And there is a level of communal parenting that goes on with everyone taking their turn to entertain the toddlers, rock he babies or cook the food.  

All the parents bring loads of toys to make sure the kids are occupied. But one thing I love about Goblin's age is that they seem able to make their own games and entertainment. 

For example Liberty decided to decorate the "Christmas tree" with clothes pegs. Soon all the toddlers were having a go and the tree looked wonderful. Check out the fine motor practice - pincer grip skills.

Goblin investigated the flower beds. Our friends are very cool and were completely relaxed about toddlers running in and out of the shrubbery. And they didn't bat an eyelid when all three toddlers started to dismantle their concrete edging and move the bricks to middle of the patio. 

Once at the patio the kids stacked the bricks up and jumped over them. Goblin declared "I'm doing sports" - I guess the Olympics made and impression. While Goblins's approach was a very long run up and launching himself off the other end, Liberty opted for a more gentle balance with a controlled landing - we even managed to convince her to put her arms in the air when she landed like the Olympic gymnasts. Some serious gross motor practice going on here - jumping, running and balancing, not to mention lifting and stacking. When they'd finished jumping they took the cushions from the garden chairs, stacked the bricks on them and pulled them around. Who needs to buy toys!

Meanwhile the men did manly things like cooking meat and other manly things like caring for their kids. Even the pre-dads were getting some practice in.

And if anyone is concerned about  the quantity of babies and beer bottles, you can be reassured that we have discovered some amazing alcohol free beers and wines at alcoholfree.co.uk. Even the preggy mums were getting their 'beer' on.

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