March 23, 2000 - Thursday
I've been doing this thing with Harry's legs for a while know. I take both his ankles, bend his legs a little, then stomp his feet really fast on the ground, chair, or whatever he's lying or sitting on. It's nothing rough, just jiggling his lower body at little as a diversion, and he's never really responded to it before. But this evening, as he was lying on the guest bed getting fitted with pajamas, I happen to do it again. He was in a particularly happy mood, encouraged by his mother's faces before I got there, and seemed in need of some kind of action. But, I didn't realize how much action.

I really don't remember how it started, whether I did the stomping thing a few times first or whether he picked right up on it. But, the next thing I knew, every time I'd stop and let go of his legs, Harry would stretch his legs straight out and kick his left one to maximum extension until I did it again. We've had our moments of communication of sorts plenty of times with the vocal game, and of course he tells us about his hunger and fatigue, but this is really the first time he's exhibited this kind of clear cause and effect interaction. The vocal game might be cause and effect, but it could also just be reactive on his part: copying what I do even if he does have fun doing it. And, hunger is clearly a reaction to stimulus. But, if true, this is the first clear occasion when Harry is not only wanting a reaction, but also, in a sense, calculating he can get one by doing a certain behavior.

To confirm I wasn't imagining things, I conferred with his uncle, who had recently arrive for a visit, and called his mother to see. Both seem to agree Harry was doing the classic "do it again" kid thing. What's more, in classic kid fashion, his enjoyment and commitment to the fun, yet simple activity lasted far longer than mine. Fascinated nonetheless, I indulged Harry and myself for quite a while, and then Harry a little more, but eventually picked him up for a different kind of diversion. Fortunately, he's not old enough yet to complain about a diversion lost. But, that day is surely coming and the precedent for Harry manipulating his surroundings has been set.


Comments, opinions?