Memory and Imitation

One reason Jonathan talks so well is because we talk to him like a real person. Children learn by hearing and by imitating. It is sometimes amusing to hear the things that he says. For example, he got a valentine's day card from Aunt Ellie, and as he saw the stickers on the back and was opening it, he said, "That's so sweet!"
Also, he remembers what we tell him. He was looking at another of his valentine's cards and said, "Is this my birthday? Oh. My birthday is in November."

Later, as he watched me order wallet prints of his picture (yes, I finally did it! Thanks for your patience...) he said "What is his name? That's Jonathan David." He had not remembered his middle name before that I know of.

Another thing he imitates a lot is praise. It is possible that it is strictly imitation, but I am thinking that one of his top love languages is Words. All day long he says "I love you, Mommy." "These scrambled eggs are yummy." "Thank you for getting me a kleenex." "Your dress is nice." "Mommy, I love you." "Thank you for sharing with me." and on and on. Mostly "I love you" (:
Posted by Heather Daley on February 15, 2006, 4:53 pm | Read 1904 times
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Between this post and Janet's recent one on learning Japanese, I'm thinking this kid would eat up the Pimsleur tapes as well as HIPPO. ;) I'm working on the Pimsleur Japanese and loving it.
Posted by SursumCorda on February 16, 2006, 4:15 pm
Our experience echoes yours, Heather. I think one of the reason Maya has such good sentence structure and vocabulary is our regular use of complex language around her. And I have to add books to this, too. While baby books are fun and colorful, we always prefer something with a real story, real sentences, and beautiful words. (My favorite book on this topic is _Honey For A Child's Heart_ by Gladys Hunt. I can't recommend it enough. You're welcome to borrow my *autographed* copy anytime. =) I haven't been around Jonathan a ton, but I already noticed a bit difference in his language from when we came to dinner a few months ago. Amazing how fast they change, isn't it?
Posted by serina on February 17, 2006, 10:55 am
Hi, Serena. I second the Honey for a Child's Heart recommendation. I'd lend Heather ours but either it's already lent out or I'd only borrowed it from the library.... I remember it was good, though.

Hmmm, maybe it's time to update and send the Sursum Corda Academy reading list. :)
Posted by SursumCorda on February 17, 2006, 11:02 am
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