On Again, Off Again

Yesterday afternoon, Ryan mastered the light switch. He’s been curious about them for a while, and will often reach for one and poke it with the tip of his finger, but yesterday was the first time he managed to flip the switch at will – and recognize the results. The look of amazement on his face was priceless.

Unlike doorknobs (which he is also trying desperately to master), our house has very few light switches that are within his reach. There are a couple he can almost reach if he climbs on the back of the couch (which is highly discouraged), but there’s also one at the bottom of the basement stairs that he can reach if he stands on his tiptoes or stretches really hard. Or if Mummy lets him climb on her lap while she sits on the stairs (which is pretty common, since it’s the best way to stop him from climbing all the way up the stairs). And since that particular light switch is a double switch, it’s even more exciting!

The two lights that it controls are directly overhead and right behind him, so it definitely helps him make the connection between flipping the switch and seeing the light go on or off. We spent a long time this morning with him flipping the switch as I announced, “On!” or “Off!”, looking at the light that just went on or off, and then giggling. I love watching him delight in his “power” to make light. He would very solemnly look at the switch and deliberately flip it up, then throw his head back to see the light bulb that just went on and grin in amazement. Then he would look at me as if to say, “See what I just did?” And then he’d flip it down and do the same thing. Over and over and over again, on and off and on and off and on and off, light and dark and light and dark and light and dark.

I’m sure it’s not particularly good for either the light bulbs or the light switches, but I’d be happy to rewire half the house just to see Ryan’s fascinated expression. It’s not just the bulb that lights up, it’s also that adorable little face. And, I suspect, the adoring big face that’s watching.