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Wednesday, January 03, 2007
It Just Doesn't Sit Right
When I married my husband, he had a collection of matryoshkas, Russian Nesting Dolls. The figures were of Russian rulers, starting with Nikita Khrushchev, including Mikhail Gorbachev, Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Lenin, Nicholas II (?), Catherine the Great, and Peter the Great. Actually, I'm not quite sure of all the names..some of the faces are quite ugly, though.
My son has been playing with these over the Christmas holidays. He plays with them for hours, totally captivated by them. I know these nesting dolls are great for educational skills.
I have no problem with him playing with them. I also have no problem with him learning the names and a little bit of history.
But it doesn't quite sit right when I hear him using the names and talking about them like they are old familiar friends. Lenin and Stalin are not people I would like to breed familiarity. The names are being tossed around lightly. At age 3 he's too young to understand they were horrible dictators.
One could say we're teaching and immersing him early but........
What do you think? Do I cough up some extra money and get some other nesting dolls? If so, where and what would you suggest? Good (and pretty, but not too girly) ones for little money?
09:25 Posted in Musings | Permalink | Comments (5) | Email this
Comments
We have Santa nesting dolls that the kids love. This year I did not let the kids play with them because we are missing a piece, but maybe I should. They're not really girly either.
Posted by: KC | Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Here, where i live, there is a large Russian population and there is actually a store dedicated to nesting dolls.
I can trek downtown to the store sometime as I don't recall the name and I'll let you know...perhaps they have a website as well....
Posted by: Maria | Thursday, January 04, 2007
You could just speak of them as he does....."Higglytown Heroes" :)
Posted by: Fuzzy | Friday, January 05, 2007
We've got the standard Russian dolls. Dd calls them her 'Marys'. There are loads of different types available new on ebay -- everything from the Beatles to horses to icons!
Posted by: Elizabeth H. | Friday, January 05, 2007
If you are anywhere near an IKEA store, or know someone who is... they do a great set of nesting International dolls, representing the 5 colours of human beings. They do a female set and a male set. My children love theirs (we have both sets). At least they do them here (I am in Norway) but they have been available for over a year now. I hope that helps, Gill.
Posted by: Gill | Monday, January 08, 2007
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