Learning to Play

will see it. What do you do with a child that does not play? My daughter just turned 7, she was adopted from Guatemala at 13-14 months of age. She stayed in a crib all day watching TV until we brought her home. She never understood toys or what to do with them. She has every toy under the sun, barbies, Bratz, doll house, dolls, cars, light bright, art stuff, balls, jump rope, bike, dolls that you can fix their hair, play kitchen with food and pots and pans. But she won't play, all she does is "wonder around". When I ask her why she does that she says its "fun". I thought once she went to school and started to interact with kids more (although she was in daycare for years) that she would figure it out. She wants to play with other kids, begs for it, but when she finally has them to play with she ignores them. The other day a little girl came over with her barbies, M got her barbies out dumped them on the floor and then stood around, wondered but never once played. I have tried to show her how by playing with her but she just doesn't care to. She loves to draw...that appears to be her favorite pass time, that and listening to her CDs. Is there anything I can do or should do that would help her or is it possible she is just happy with doing what she does and I should be concerned? Thanks Kim

Hi Kim, Thanks for your post. I'm wondering if your daughter is introverted and enjoys being by herself. Most play is social and involves others. Your daughter's interest in drawing may be a way she uses her imagination. Does she enjoy talking about her drawing? Does she also enjoy reading? Would she enjoy 'dressing up' as someone else? I'd love to hear a little more about her. Nancy

she draws cats and mommy and daddy and our house and flowers. She is always drawing a picture for us to take to work. She used to love dress up and she has a box full of clothes right now she will occasionally take them out. She loves books, she is just learning to read but from the time I picked her up books have been her favorite things. She is having some trouble learning to read and she is starting to loose interest in them from frustration. She always asks to go play with other kids. Like last night. We got home and the little girl across the street was outside. She wanted to play so bad so I gave them a few minutes to say hello and catch up on their day but the minute the little girl came over M is off jumping and dancing and not even paying attention to her. She is telling me how much fun they are going to have over and over again instead of talking to her or something. When we went inside she was sad because she was going to miss her. She did have severe language delays when she was younger and she is very sensative, we feel like she withdrew into her self because other kids did not understand her and she didn't understand them. She is taking language class 3 days a week and she communicates well now, she still struggles w/some comrhension at times but she improves every week. I really appreciate your impute, thank you. Kim

Hi Kim, I think it's the language delay that was making it difficult for her ... imagine how it would be if you were trying to communicate and people didn't understand what you were saying. Perhaps she gets frustrated because she is trying to communicate and is not getting through. Once she understands more she will be able to communicate better and will be able to enjoy her friends. It's great that she is outgoing and likes to be with friends. It's also great that she has lots of interests! Keep in touch with us and let us know how it's going, OK? Nancy