In addition to playing "at the zoo," a game that involves walking around our house in search of imaginary animals (baby polar bears, monkeys, and elephants seem to be the most common in these parts), Celie's favorite activities are those that involve her hands. "Celie loves Sensory," her teacher Ms. Kei Kei recently told me in a conversation about her strengths. "Whenever we do anything hands-on, like pouring water, measuring rice, playing with shaving cream," she said, "Celie is in her zone. The other kids can make all the noise they want and it doesn't bother her one bit...she's totally focused on what she's doing."And it's true. Give the girl some paints or Play-Doh and she's all set. Total concentration--and for me, pure joy. As a maker of things myself, there's nothing that makes me happier than seeing her at work in a world of her own.
