Even as a professional specializing in speech development, I am awed by the rate at which babies/toddlers pick up new words. In a week's time my 19 month old daughter has blossomed from about 65 words I was absolutely sure of, to close to 100.
My favorite this week is "Gonkine" which is her version of penguin. Sure, there are people who would argue this is not a word, but let's looks at this carefully; she uses it consistently to mean the same thing, with the same intonation and inflection each time. In my book, that makes it a word.
Another wonder this week, has been the beginning of referencing herself by name. It is cute and we elicit it as many times as possible. She knows she has us captivated and is beginning to toy with the power of when and for whom she will perform.
At the same time that this is happening, I have been reading "Einstein Never Used Flashcards". http://www.amazon.com/Einstein-Never-Used-Flash-Cards/dp/1579546951 The timing couldn't be more perfect. I needed a healthy dose of reality right about now. The research in this book reinforces the idea that children need time to play and follow the biological plan for development that cannot be improved upon by drill, flashcards and multi-lingual electronics. What kids need most from us right this very minute, is just that; more of us.
So, my friends, right now, I am going to go round up the Gonkine and my babies and play.
Happy Saturday to you!
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