At the beginning of the day, R, E, and A build a block structure under the stairs. After about 10 minutes, they leave it to play somewhere else, and we do not ask them to clean it up. Instead, we offer the chance for others to come and use it or for the original builders to return.
About 45 minutes later, R and A returned and found it much as they had left it. “This is our house!” R says, and they both start building again. Other friends come to see what they are working on, and they join in.
After a few moments, another friend arrives. “Come on in!” B says.
“Are you going to be the baby?” E asks the friend who has just arrived. “No, the daddy,” the new friend replies. “I’m the daddy!” another friend exclaims. “Okay, we’ll have two dads,” B says. Everyone nods their head in agreement and the building continues.
J and E start roaring at each other. They both grin while they roar.
Soon they start roaring at other friends. “I’m not scared,” R says. “Me either,” J says.
E walks away, but turns back when he hears a block fall. It bumps J on the head. J rubs his head and says “Ouchie.”
“What happened?” E asks. J doesn’t answer, but walks up the loft stairs. E follows and keeps looking at J. “I didn’t like that,” J says. E sits down beside J, and several other friends join them. “If you want, we could cheer you up!” R says.
“Maybe we could go in the house again, and I’ll be happy in there!” J says. He gets up and starts running in a circle with outstretched arms making wind sounds.
J runs out of the room and returns with a book. E is still watching his friend. “What’s the matter?” E asks. “Are you mad?” “No,” J responds. “Oh,” says E. “Are you happy?” “Yeah!” J says. “I’m reading a book!” E sits down and they look at the book together.
November 7, 2013