More Communication, Less Throwing

James' primary way of showing us he wants something or is upset or just flat out angry at something is to throw something.

Considering that the majority of his toys are made of wood, this isn't going over very well with anyone.  We're doing the best we can to stop this habit, but the truth is he just gets frustrated.  He can't tell us what he wants, and doesn't know how else to express frustration when things don't fit.

Along with those wooden toys, he has the normal assortment of battery operated fun that most toddlers have these days.  From a cookie jar shape sorter that sings, to a magnetic farm with music and pieces to fit into it.

It's that farm that is what brings us today's tale in communicating with an 18 months old.

He loves playing with it, and recently figured out how to get it off the fridge and back on.  The pieces that fit into it are magnets as well, and he is learning to place them on the fridge, the oven, the dishwasher, and then into place on the farm itself.

James has also found great pleasure in placing the pieces onto the farm and then throwing the whole thing on the floor.  Why?  Because the pieces pop out and he thinks it's funny.

The problem with that one is that there is a 50/50 chance that the switch that turns the music on/off may get bumped on landing.  If there is no music to accompany the playing then life as we know it is coming to an end.  Or at least you would assume that based on the amount of crying when buttons are pushed and nothing happens. 

This is normally followed with the toy being thrown again as someone reaches full frustration, and then one of us calmly turning it on, pushing the buttons to show it works, and James beginning the process all over again.

Sunday morning, A was playing with him in his room.  James opted to leave him and come out to the living room to play, and A waited back there for him. 

He told me heard the farm, and a crash, and then no noise.  As he waited for the cry or another crash, James did something that apparently surprised him.

Our son brought the farm back to his room, placed it on the floor, looked at his father, and then calmly pushed the buttons.  When there was no noise, he stood, stretched his hand out to it and said, "uh oh" at the toy.

Then he waited for daddy to turn the toy on, test the buttons, and walked away with it to play on his own.

Seriously, the kid is learning daily.  Yes, everything that falls or pops open is told "uh oh" by us.  He now does this himself when he drops something, even if it is just a piece of cereal.

But where did he figure out that indicating the "uh oh" would work to his advantage to get something fixed?

And when will he apply that to everything?

Because I'm tired of dodging wooden puzzle pieces.

Just saying.