Today, Tasha and I were entertained by a pair of coffeehouse ballerinas. Our pre-farmer’s-market coffeehouse visit coincided with their post-dance class visit. They were not alone; their mothers were in tow. They were 2ish–the blonde probably slightly younger than the brunette–it was a serendipitous opportunity to observe toddlers in the wild.

They were not drinking coffee.

One was slurping down chocolate milk with the gusto of someone who had just learned to use a straw. The other favored plain milk–no yummy chocolate flavoring for her. She was also enjoying her straw–there may have been milk bubbles. It wasn’t all milk slurping; they paused periodically for birdlike nibbles on cookies the size of their heads.

Between slurps and nibbles, there was also toddler play and exploration. They climbed onto chairs. They climbed off of chairs. They climbed up on different chairs. They climbed off those chairs. The blonde struggled to snap her giant cookie in half. When it wouldn’t crack, she exclaimed with frustration, “It won’t open!”

They pulled games from the official coffeehouse game shelf, dumped the pieces, fiddled with them, then headed off for more chair climbing. Moments later, they were back to the game pieces for some fiddling. Then some arguing. Then a touch of hair-pulling. Then they were pals again. Next, more climbing, some running, a bit of fiddling–and spilled milk. It was a (mostly) joyful whirl of energy, activity, and curiosity.

No one cried over it.

No one scolded, got red in the face, or yelled.

One mom grabbed some already-at-hand napkins and started cleaning up, the other mom went for backup napkins, and the coffeehouse ballerinas eagerly helped with the cleaning. More milk was ordered, and the play continued.

And on it went. I got tired from watching.

Conflict Interrupts The Coffeehouse Ballerinas

The brunette got a short lecture and scolding about sharing when she wouldn’t hand over a coveted game piece the blonde indicated that she wanted with an outreached arm, opening and closing hand, and demanding screech. She made Brunette hand over the piece to Blonde. It was over in 20 seconds. Blonde was done with the piece 2 seconds after that.

Mom has obviously not read It’s OK Not To Share by Heather Shumaker (affiliate link):

I considered going over with an outstretched arm and clasping hand and demanding access to mom’s phone with the same demanding screech but thought better of it. I like this coffeehouse and want to come back.

I stayed put, and the play resumed as the brunette reclaimed the abandoned game piece.

Coffeehouse Ballerinas Takeaways

My time with the coffeehouse ballerinas was pleasant and refreshing. The moms were mostly chill with letting the girls play and explore. They allowed their children’s toddlerness to shine. That is so often not the case with toddlers in public. Instead, adults demand/expect toddlers to behave like sedated octogenarian nuns in public.

The other patrons were also cool with the coffeehouse ballerinas–plenty of amused smiles and no judgy eye rolls.

Contribute content to Playvolution HQ
Brought to you by Explorations Early Learning

Browse Trainings