Language has as much to do with comprehension as it does expression. After all, you can speak fluent French, but that won't do you a lot of good if the person to whom you're speaking doesn't understand a word. Fortunately, when a toddler is learning about language, they can add some non-verbal cues to help you interpret their not-so-articulate moments.
Rhianna is learning new words daily. Some she pronounces correctly but doesn't understand. Some, she understands but can't pronounce. And a few she both understands and pronounces correctly -- and even throws some non-verbals in with them. She recently aquired "bummer" which she knows is supposed to be said with a squunched up face after she tells us she had "hard poop." I'm not sure she really understands what it means, but it's funny to watch her face when she says it.
In order to understand her speech, you have understand that, as a toddler who is just learning to speak, one word can be an entire language. There really is no need for sentences, just the need for a mother who understands. Let me explain to you the language of Booger (Rhianna's most articulate word to date).
"Boogers!" = "I've got boogers!"
"Boogers!" (with pointer finger up) = "I picked my boogers."
"Boogers!" (points to tissues) = "I'd like Kleenex for my boogers."
"Boogers!" (points to Owen) = "Owen's got boogers."
"Boogers!" (finger up nose) = "Surely there are some boogers up here."
"Boogers!" (innocent look) = "I just smeared boogers somewher you won't find until after I go to bed."
"Boogers!" (within a foot of Owen with pointer finger up) = "I just picked Owen's boogers."
"Boogers!" (innocent look within a foot of Owen) = "I just smeared Owen's boogers somewhere they shouldn't be."
"Boogers!" (looking at pointer finger) = "I just ate my boogers."
"Boogers!" (looking at pointer finger within a foot of Owen) = "I just ate Owen's boogers."
"Boogers!" = "I like saying 'boogers'."
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Mayonnaise and coffee
Yesterday, I needed to re-read this email. Hope it finds you all well.
When things in your life seem almost too much too handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full they agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into t he jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things -- your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions -- things that if everything else was lost and only they remained your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.
"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
"Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always
room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
When things in your life seem almost too much too handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full they agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into t he jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things -- your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions -- things that if everything else was lost and only they remained your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.
"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
"Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always
room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)