Friday, August 29, 2008

What Happens When Little Girls Do Their Math.....

It's a whole different story than when little boys do their math. I mean boys make noises....noises like cars, trucks, planes, helicopters, motorcyles, and even their favorite superhero! I remember that vividly from Colt! Girls, from my experience anyway, doodle, sing, or turn their math lesson into an imaginative fairytale story.



While I was busy cooking, Joy had completed her math page in her Math-U-See book and the math manipulative blocks that go along with it were still out on the table. Well I noticed her making several trips back to her bedroom and coming back in with.....well....stuff! The "stuff" multiplied into a table full of miniature doll houses. Every once in awhile, I would hear a frustrated growl or some sign of things not going her way (in other words blocks falling). After a bit, she seemed satisfied and called me over for a look. She created (with her math blocks) her own dollhouse, without a roof (since it wasn't raining). And of course, every house needs a family and furniture (that's my girl)! So with hundreds, tens, and every other size block we have, she created her own dollhouse. Who says you need all those toys from Walmart? Some kids just play with their math blocks!



Of course, this IS the same little girl (that her brother used to tease) because if she didn't have dolls to play with, she made them out of whatever was in front of her.....In the bathroom...the hairspray, lotion bottles, deodorant bottles, shampoo bottles, etc.....all became "people" and "families". She would line them up biggest down to smallest and have parades, or make them go swimming in the swimming pool (the sink of course!) So I'm asking myself WHY do I spend money on toys? With an imagination like that, who needs expensive toys? :)

33 comments:

JenW!~ said...

Isn't it great to see a child using their imagination. i find my 9yr son usng things around the house to create with.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

It is no neat to see kids learn through play and with the right tools, that's what happens without them even knowing it! Pretty cool house and family she created. Cute story!

QuiltedSimple said...

Good for her! It's great to see kids using their imaginations rather than the "latest" toys - which they grow bored with so quickly!
Kris

Jo-Anne said...

What a clever girl!

Happy Birthday yesterday!! I hope you had a wonderful day. :):):)

ghomeschool said...

OK now Bobbi wants to make doll houses out of MUS blocks. For Christmas, just give Joy the box from something big that you want. (Oh and some markers). She will be set. LOL

ohiofarmgirl said...

Oh...enjoy that...I was so sad when my girls left their toys behind and are now all boxed up. She is a sweetheart! Dianntha

Gettysburg Homestead said...

How wonderful to hear your child still has an imagination with all the toys that are out these days.

Tell her she needs to make curtains out of fabric scraps. LOL

Sharon said...

I just stopped by your blog and I must tell you that I enjoyed it very much.
It is so good to see kids using their imaginations to do things.
You are right who needs the latest and expensive toys.
Have a Blessed weekend

Anonymous said...

Tammy,
I went to Mississippi Gulfcoast yesterday and did not get back till late....Happy belated Birthday! Your daughter is very creative...she is so cute! Come on over to get your "Smile Award"..You deserved it....You make me smile everytime I visit your blog...:) Kathy

Katy said...

Awww...that is just tooo sweet! :)

Angie said...

Hey Tammy!

I love math blocks! We have a shoebox of those, too, for my son! We also have those little colored bears..so fun to do math when it is more visual. I am soooo sorry I missed wishing you a Happy Birthday yesterday! Our water heater went out and I was rushing around trying to find someone to come out here and fix it fast so we could all shower...lol. I didn't get to get on my usual nighttime surf. So, Happy Birthday! And...you so do not look 45...are you sure you are 45? I need to see some proof! HEHE.

~Angie

Colleen/And Baby Makes Five said...

Now that's just too cute, Tammy. It reminds me of Michaela's new favorite activity -- playing "car family." She and Connor made this one up. Their matchbox cars become members of a family and they both play and play...having adventures and narrating as they go. It's hilarious and I love it. Imaginative play is so important. Way to go, Joy!!!

Happy weekend, my friend!

Kindra-At Home With K said...

That sounds like something I would of done when I was younger. I loved dolls. :) That math looks like fun!!

Have a great weekend!

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Hey Tammy, love that sweet smile on your little girl. I have to say I love that doll house! My kids always preferred channel selectors for their toy of choice! Oh my.
Have a lovely weekend!
Debbie

Wendy/TheCozyYellowHouse said...

Wow great imagination for sure!! Its great to see in a child this day in age!! Hope you have a great weekend!!
I have an award for you my friend come to my blog when you can!! Take care!~Wendy

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

What a sweatheart, and very, very, smart!!

Daffodil Hill said...

How fun! Me thinks Miss Joy is a lot like her sweet Mama. : )

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

To me, this means that Joy has NOT ben plugged into video games and movies and cartoons. She is using her imagination for entertainment, amusement, problem-solving....Perhaps this is how inventors get their start!!
A sure sign of good genes and good parenting....

Anonymous said...

testing

Donna

Anonymous said...

I set up an account it will not work but now anonymous works. So crazy. :)

Donna

Anonymous said...

hi! I have a new link to my blog... it's no longer kates kountry kottage it's now kathleenmoreland.blogspot.com

have a great weekend

Sandy said...

Reminds me of my girls :)

I keep checking every day for updated pictures on your kitchen.
Can you tell I am excited??? LOL

Drop on over to my blog, I have a Award for you.

Sandy

Catty Wampus said...

Hi Tammy I left you a prim award on my blog!

Raggedy Angel said...

that is priceless! Beth

Siri said...

Hi Tammy,

What a creative child you have. A possible architect in the future?? Just to let you know I've nominated you for the Primitive Excellence Award. Come on over for the details. Have a wonderful Labor Day. Prim Blessings,

Siri

Tammy said...

Tammy!
OK...first of all, I have to back up to last post because I'm so behind yet again!
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! (Just a little late- so sorry I missed it!)
I knew we were kindred spirits and all, but didn't realize we were exactly the same AGE!!!! Well, if it makes you feel better, I'm actually a bit older since I turned 45 way back in January! But growing up, we would have been in the same grade...:)
Loved all the photos of you!

OK...I so loved this post, too...that is adorable that your daughter took her Math-u-see blocks and made a doll house!
My youngest would probably do something like that! LOL Too bad Joy can't just drop on over for a play date with my girls! :)

HUGS,
~Tammy

Leslie said...

Very cool! I liked to do things like that, too! I had dolls but do you know what I played with the most? Pens and markers! I pretended they were people. I had quite the collection of pretty pens and the imagination. My brother still picks on my about talking to pencils but I was creative! I blame my Mom...when I was little she bought me markers and then taped the lids shut so I didn't write on the wrong things anymore. What else can you do with markers that are taped up?

Thanks for sharing such a cute story!

the said...

You are lucky she loves that, creativity is so rare to find in kids now days!!

Happy Belated Birthday! Hope it was a wonderful day :)

Stephanie

Leslie said...

Tammy,
I wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten about your question about the rugs! I wanted to take closer pictures of my rugs for you and send all the info to you. I know I had a heck of a time finding the true colors on the web and it might not work but maybe it will help a bit. I just haven't had time. Tomorrow hopefully! The kiddos will be off to school and it will be just me and the dogs...very quiet!

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

What a very cretive daughter you have! And what fun! I want to come play! :)

~*Marie*~ said...

That is too funny. Creativity! Isn't it great! I have given you a little blog award...come to my blog for all the details. Marie

Shay said...

Hi Tammy!
Too funny, that is so something I would have done! Very creative girl and a very neat house and people she made! Fun Math!! Thanks for sharing!
Have a wonderful day!
Shay

Anonymous said...

Tammy,
Thanks for stopping by...you are so sweet. Thanks for your prayers during the storm Gustav. It's was nothing compare to Katrina like thay predicted...We were blessed...Thanks for your prayers...you have a wonderful week...~Katherinelln~