It does. We have our own mini scientific experiment going on here in the Hergenrader House.
Catie has been busy at school for the past nine months, while the twins have been mostly home with me. Sam and Ellie and I spent our days between epic games of House in the playroom, art projects, snacking (lots of snacking), playing car games on the to and from trips to pick up Catie, and doing whatever else we did to occupy the unnamed hours. Sam and Ellie were fairly independent, took turns being opinionated, and directing the play–although in different ways.
And then the school year finished, and Catie was suddenly home all the time. Like the oldest child she is, she’s taken these three (me included) youngest children by storm. Sam and Ellie don’t know what hit them.
For example, their daily games of House: instead of their typical plots of driving to church, Catie has directed them to make-over the playroom into doctor’s offices (complete with operating rooms and waiting rooms and broken-arm rooms). There are birthday party areas and subplots about kids having to rush from the party to get to the Operating Room to check on their mommies having babies. Art projects are no longer crayons and Curious George coloring books but Play-Do castles, which Catie oversees the construction.
I can’t even describe what happens in the unnamed hours. That’s why they’re unnamed, I guess., Lots of dancing…and more directing. Sam and Ellie alternate between awe and disgruntlement.
I have to assume this is all healthy for their psyches. Sam and Ellie are developing into confident, creative kids, even with the constant instruction. And Catie will also develop into a sweet, secure kid–and not into the dictator of a small country.