Quantcast
Channel: The Old Milk Can » play
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 10

When one small toy creates an entirely new universe

0
0

When I was at university a friend of mine told me that if everyone played cricket there would be no wars.

Despite the idea of this being quite fabulous, his point fell over when we started discussing poorly behaved sports fans, drugs and corrupt corporate sponsors, lack of education among players and many other points that cause the violence and shameful behaviour we see associated with sports.

So the statement was altered to ” if everyone played cricket we’d only have wars over cricket” .

But that is a competitive sport, tied up with faith, money and all the things that draw lines between people.

What about Lego?

IMG_0005 (2)

There are two groups of people who play with Lego (yes people, not just kids) – the instruction followers and the creators.

I know this causes friction in our house, as I’ve got a couple of each kind.

But for all this – my two children, who have been at war since the end of last year, have rediscovered the joy in playing together through Lego.

We went to see the Lego movie and we all loved it – it is basically playing with that whole idea of there being two different sorts of Lego people and we could relate.

Although the husband assured the kids on the drive home that it was still not okay to touch his Lego.

The kids got home – TFG pulled out her built-to-instruction models and her box of random bricks…then got building from her imagination.

IMG_0052 (2)IMG_0051 (2)IMG_0050 (2)IMG_0049 (3)

OFG pulled the bottom drawer out of his chest (yes, no socks here, just a drawer full of Lego) and dragged it to the hall outside TFG’s room (he is not allowed in).

IMG_0011IMG_0010 (3)IMG_0007

And there they played.

TFG built from her imagination, for the first time.

OFG continued to and yet was suddenly admired for his skill by the ever critical big sister.

The have been playing since then – me vacuuming around the brick cluster bomb that is the site of colourful creation.

IMG_0053 (2)IMG_0018IMG_0017 (2)IMG_0016IMG_0015

Never had a movie, a toy, had so massive an impact on their behaviour.

Or for so long.

Which got me thinking that perhaps the world would be a better place if everyone played with Lego (or built, depending on what sort of Lego person they were).

Although leave it to humans to start introducing commercial or competitive elements – they most likely would.

But let us, just for a moment, see Lego as a bemused party of peace – the cubic dove bearing the 4 long x 2 wide you needed to finish that off.

The most rudimentary Duplo is respected and has its place in the world.

As do the thousands of pieces models grown men labour over – unaware that by making that unique mini-crashing sound as they sort through pieces, they are creating a new moment of childhood for themselves.

In a world where we need chaos and we need order in equal measure, Lego has the people for the job.

I lost my Lego, along with my other childhood belongings, when I transferred from one parent’s house to the other – and it is the only thing that makes me sad to this day….the loss of toys.

My husband was able to pass on his toys to the kids but I had nothing to give but memories of the Police station Lego I won in a Lego competition (Lego boats do not float – first lesson learned about the Lego water Police).

Distant memories of complex Lego towns and games that lasted days.

This sore point was poked a bit when, last night, OFG dubiously asked if I was able to assist him with construction.

He was then honestly gobsmacked that (in his words to the husband and TFG) “Mum knows how to do Lego”.

Gosh that was sad – my kids thought that because I didn’t collect Star Wars models like Dad or have any Lego from when I was a kid….I did not like Lego!

The mighty block and my worn out Mamma hands - if only blocks could talk...the hours my hands have spent in creation with them.

The mighty block and my worn out Mamma hands – if only blocks could talk…the hours my hands have spent in creation with them.

I think it is time I got some Lego.



Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 10

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images