Harvesting Words- Mom, Tell Me about It
There are times when even I the official JDaniel translator does not understand what he is trying to tell me. Sometimes due to the context of the conversation and sometimes due to where we are when we have the conversation I can figure out what he has just said. When I do not recognize the word he is trying to say, I ask him to tell me about it. Sometimes I ask him the following questions: What does it look like? What is near what you want or see? What color is it? Have we seen it before? Narrowing down the object of discussion usually helps him discern the word he is trying to say.
Lately, JDaniel has been pointing out objects we see when we are out in the car as a fire truck. After getting me to tell him that it is a fire truck, he says, “Tell me about it.” The first time he did this I wanted to break out laughing. I caught myself before the chuckle could escape from my lips. I am so glad I did. JDaniel was being serious. He was giving me an opportunity to share with him what I knew fire trucks. I do not know a lot. Most of what I know about them has come from watching videos on fire trucks with him and he already knows those facts.
I look forward to him asking for me to tell him about things again. This is a great opportunity to talk about shapes, colors, sounds along with introducing new vocabulary words to him.
What are you doing Mom?
This question comes up a lot of car rides or when I am doing the most mundane things. The answer to the question when I am driving the car is to say, “JDaniel, I am driving the car.” I have thought about it and am not sure that is what is asking. He seems content with my answer but, I do wonder if he is looking for more details just as he is when he says,” Tell me about it.” I have started putting what I am doing in sequence with details. “Well, I am driving the car on the highway, because it is the fastest way to the library. When we get there, we can look for books” I say to him.
Does he need all these details?
Yes, he must or he won’t be asking for them.
Do I think taking the time to give him the details helps his brain development?
Yes, I think it is helping him build brain connections that he will use as a foundation to build knowledge on later.
Does he just like to talk like his mom sometimes?
Yes, he most certainly does.
What questions are your children asking?
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I agree: The times spent doing chores together or pottering about doing not much are just as valuable as ‘doing an activity’ with your child, as you get the chance to chat about things just as you have suggested. I’ve noticed that at around the age of 3 my girls questions have suddenly changed and are about the wider world rather than things at home. I’m getting lots of questions about roofs and chimneys at the moment (maybe they’re thinking about Christamas already!)
Love to see you join in with the Play Academy on Friday x
I love this! Georgia is just now starting to point things out to me on car rides. Sometimes it feels like a two-part game of I Spy. I have to first figure out what she’s trying to say (and she’s signing it too, but I can’t turn around to look). And then after I figure it out, I have to try to find where it is that she’s looking so I can share in it with her. Right now, she’s not so much asking as telling me – I want to help. Read me a book. I want to go to the playground – more things like that.
You’re right, it’s important to answer them, and talk to them. They learn so much just from conversation. We always take the time to explain things to the boys, even if they can’t understand all of it yet. You have to start somewhere. The sooner the better.
I love those curious little minds. “What are you doing Mom?” is heard around these parts a lot as well. I sometimes feel like I’m giving a play-by-play of my life. But I love the spin you put on your answers… I think you really are helping him make connections for later on!
Taking care of my grandson Ben who is almost 4 wants to know what is next.. WEll, that is true for all of us,,,as we think about our day I think we start thinking ~ this is what I’m doing now and THEN I will do this. He seems to have a better transition when we change to do something different. HE doesn’t like transitions. so this has been helpful. Daughter made up some little cards that says Now and THen.. SHe will put the card that says getting dressed for the now and then eat breakfast for Then.. It has helped him immensley.(a Lot)..lol
My oldest son has Aspergers, and they are prone to anxiety about anything out of their usual routine, even a vacation at Disney, so I got adept early on at giving specific rundowns of exactly how we were going to roll. He’s 19 now and very detail oriented. I absolutely think it’s because we trained his brain to be that way. Keep it up.
Yes communication is so important!!
I love that you take the time to really listen and answer him seriously. You’re giving him a great gift, and both of you will reap the rewards, now and when he’s grown. As a mom of a 20-yr-old, I can testify to it. Those times of toddler communication were not wasted. Not one. (And I have so many fun memories of that age!)
And thanks for stopping by my blog for a visit!
Wow, this is really great. I had never thought about all of those questions in that context.
Thanks for sharing my SITS day with me!
My sons are both teens and one is away at Uni, so typical questions often revolve around money, mum-taxi and food 😀
I do remember the time when they would question me about everything under the sun. Enjoy it!
i am so looking forward to this
My now eight year old used to always say, “tell me about it” when he wanted more detailed information or to really absorb something I was telling him. It was really cute until the 15th time I was telling him the story. So funny to hear another child doing the same!
So cute! I love it that you talk with JDaniel. It makes me so sad to see adults say things like “I can’t understand what you’re saying, kid,” and then just ignore them. You can see the child get so frustrated. The lady in front of me at the pharmacy yesterday did that, and her son looked so dejected, I wanted to hug him. I know moms often run out of patience, and maybe we get tired of the constant chatter or stream of questions. And maybe she is usually a fantastic mother who engages her child in delightful conversation all day, and I just caught her in an off-moment. I’m sure that will happen to me in the future too, and I will regret it. In any case, that experience and this post have been a great lesson for me. Thank you! Visiting you from the Time Travel.
I really need to get better at giving better answers with more explanation. Good for you that you take the time to do it!