Chatterbox

All babies develop and learn at different paces, but from what I've read, they all eventually catch up.  Our little man was a late walker (we are talking sometime after 14 months), but he was an early talker.  As a language teacher, I am completely fascinated by how he is learning, what types of words he is using, how he is constructing sentences... everything really! 

Many of his first words were nouns: 

mama, dada, ball, book

But then came an adjective: 

hot!! 

Hot is always whispered, with emphasis on the "h"... so it sounds like "hhhhot". This adjective was quickly applied to all sorts of cooking appliances (stove, microwave, coffee pot, toaster oven, grill), but on a few random mornings, as I was holding him before I left for work, he would say "mama, hot." And I would look at him and say, "That's right." Thank you, my little guy, for the affirmation :) 

What happened next amazed me: he started using the indefinite article all the time, which we often omit in English, but is always necessary in French. 

a book, a ball, a "nack" a dog 

Even though he clearly articulates many words, there are some in which I have had to play close attention to learn.  Think you can guess what these are?? 

QUIZ TIME!!! (no peeking below)

1. ah fah fuh

2. ["f bomb"] (yikes)

3. a men uh

4. buhjies

5. ug!

6. booooo!

answers are at the bottom of this post :)

Anyways, he quickly moved on to two-word phrases. 

All done now. 

Outside now. 

And eventually added in a subject pronoun.  His first three sentences with "I": 

I sit. 

I poo poo. 

I bite.  (often said while smiling and attempting to bite my hand as I buckle him into the carseat.)

After the short sentences, we finally learned one polite word: please [peash]

Currently, we are using "peash" and "yesh" together to show a definite need for something. In addition, he uses a nod to reinforce his desire. Sample scenario: 

I am eating some pie. 

Ky: a bite peash, yesh *nod* *nod* yesh

If a bite is given, this will be repeated. 

If a bite is denied, a tantrum will ensue.  

And now it's off to find some books on disciplining/parenting a toddler! HAH! 

Quiz answers: 1. coffee (but also sometimes any drink an adult has), 2. frog, I NEVER swear, so this is super awkward.  And when he adds "a" before frog, it sounds like "oh." Big sigh. 3. melon (as in watermelon.  He's not a fan of cantaloupe), 4. berries (as in blueberries, strawberries, raspberries or blueberries" and 5. hug. The boy LOVES to give hugs, especially when he either has food on his hands or is strapped into a shopping cart, forcing me to lean over in an awkward manner.  But I would be crazy to turn down an "ug" from my sweet boy. 6. moo. Yes, my child thinks cows say "boo" instead of moo.  And in fact, even though he can identify at least 15/20 animal magnets on the fridge, he also calls a cow "a boo." When I correct him and say it's a cow, and cows say "moo," he looks at me like I'm crazy.