Now, we're working on manners again. It's a whole different ballgame now that they're verbal. Their language acquisition simply amazes me. Gus in particular can and will parrot just about everything I say right back at me. (I have to be very mindful of what comes out of my mouth now!)
I taught the boys to say "I want na-na please." Na-na is our word for nursing. I would say it to them, they would say it back, and they would get to nurse. I could just see the light bulb blinking on above their heads. "Hey!" their expressions seemed to say. "These sounds get me what I want! Cool."
And now they have figured out that they can put other words into this sentence with the same amazing results. Last night Gus said "I want mamera [camera] peez." Keeping in mind Alfie Kohn's advice to make yes the default answer, I agreed. We then joyfully took pictures of the ceiling, up Gus' nose, and Jack's forehead together. Next we made a movie. It was so much fun!
Both boys have now learned to create new requests from the template. They are able to voice their wants to parents who are willing to fulfill them, and the satisfaction is evident in their faces. They are learning to talk, learning manners, learning basic communications skills.
Being their mama is amazing.
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| A portrait of Jack, taken by Gus. |
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