Can friendship be magic for all kids? I think it can.

My daughter, Miss A, has trouble with friendship and keeping up with her peers. Typical kids at the age of four have a lot of imaginary play.  Due to her developmental disability, Miss A isn’t quite there yet. I know some families with a older and younger sibling that have the same issue. Big brother or sister play one way, and little sib can’t quite keep up. Then they are excluded from the fun.

Friendship is hard when you can’t connect

It’s kids to make real connections when they can’t relate or participate fully in the games the others have created. So I’m always looking for toys that give her insight into what peers are doing, at a level she can understand.

Meet Baby Flurryheart

  

I recently brought home Baby Flurryheart – an interactive My Little Pony toy along with a few Playskool toddler My Little Pony toys. With a soft body and adorable wings, Baby Flurryheart is perfect for cuddling, she reacts to her little bottle and rattle with questions, laughter and even big snores.

 

She’s the perfect entry into the My Little Pony realm. And, she gave Little Miss A the context to gain a connection to kids who are already My Little Pony fans. I’m always delighted when I find something that acts gateway to comprehension of something that everyone is already very knowledgeable about.

It gives her a common interest and common language (Miss A now points to her tiny bottom and says “Can you see my cutie mark?”). Together these things give her common ground with her peers.  I hope this will be a foundation where true connections can be made.

Finding friendship at home

Our kids forge this connection in our own home.  Turns out my son loves My Little Pony too. They watch the show together. He reminds her to take care of Baby Flurry Heart.  They sing the songs together. He even has a My Little Pony stuffy in his bed.

Mr. S has also has hard time making friends. It’s not just kids with differences that find connecting to be a challenge. The Ponies foster a deep appreciation of friendship and why it’s worth continuing to seek out meaningful friends despite the trouble he’s had in the past.

My two may not have their cutie marks yet, but they’ve both gained some empathy and there’s no question that friendship is magic – especially when it turns out the kid living in your house is your best friend in the world.