If you have a child with a speech disorder, you know the struggles as you try to communicate. She can't get the words out correctly and you can't understand what she's trying to say. It can lead to some interesting conversations!
As I was working on beading a necklace with my daughter, she looked up suddenly and said (what sounded like) "Who crapped in my bathroom?" I was beyond startled by these words from my angelic looking daughter, so I composed myself and asked the usual question...what did you say??
She repeated herself. "Who crapped in MY bathroom?"
I looked at her with a frown and explained that we don't say words like that. Puzzled, she said "crap?" and proceeded to c-l-a-p her hands. Ahhhh... the lightbulb flashed! She had been asking me who "clapped" in her bathroom. Her older brother had gone into the bathroom and for some unknown reason clapped his hands together.
Turning my misunderstanding into a learning opportunity, I modeled the way to move your mouth as you say the c-l blend and we practiced saying the word clap over and over and over until..yes! She had it!
We practiced this morning. Perfect words. Unfortunately, in her pride to show of her new word to Grandpa when he showed up, she looked at him and said "Crap" loud and clear and with a beautiful smile. Imagine HIS surprise! I quickly explained what happened, modeled the word for her again and she proceeded to say the word correctly.
Life with Apraxia has it's ups and downs. this week has been a rough week with a sick child, overloads at work and a broken garage door. Hearing my little girl say "clap" made me forget all the bad things and brought a little needed joy into my life.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
The Fascinating World of Preschoolers
Today my daughter begged to go outside. It was bitterly cold so the answer from Dad was "no". She begged and pleaded until he finally gave in while I was absorbed in another task.
She got herself ready and went outside. My husband told me I needed to look out the window because she was making snow angels. Yup. There in the snow was my adorable little angel, waving her arms and legs as she lay in the snow. The smile on her face was beautiful.
She didn't stay outside long. Just long enough to enjoy the beauty of the snow and get some fresh air. As she came inside, I asked if she was all done and she replied that her hands were too cold to stay outside. I began to help her take off her snow gear and that's when I discovered she got dressed for playing outside by herself. Without help from Dad.
I took off her lightweight knit gloves, all caked in snow and ice and I cringed. Her fingers were red and cold but she was babbling and enjoying the moment because she got her way and got to go outside to play. As I helped her off with her boots I cringed again - no socks. As I proceeded to help her with her coat, I was glad to see that although she had chosen pants that were much too lightweight for playing in the snow, at least she had on a long sleeve shirt.
As she stepped away from the pile of cold weather gear and the puddles of melting snow, she began to take off the rest of her clothes and strip down to her bathing suit. Yes, a bathing suit.
I took a moment to compose myself and then asked her about this interesting clothing choice. "Mommy, I need it for my pretend lake."
I watched as she walked to the living room, climbed onto the couch and then jumped as if she was jumping off the side of a pool. She laughed gleefully and proceeded to run around in the "water". I will never cease to be amazed at the fascinating and imaginative world of children.
She got herself ready and went outside. My husband told me I needed to look out the window because she was making snow angels. Yup. There in the snow was my adorable little angel, waving her arms and legs as she lay in the snow. The smile on her face was beautiful.
She didn't stay outside long. Just long enough to enjoy the beauty of the snow and get some fresh air. As she came inside, I asked if she was all done and she replied that her hands were too cold to stay outside. I began to help her take off her snow gear and that's when I discovered she got dressed for playing outside by herself. Without help from Dad.
I took off her lightweight knit gloves, all caked in snow and ice and I cringed. Her fingers were red and cold but she was babbling and enjoying the moment because she got her way and got to go outside to play. As I helped her off with her boots I cringed again - no socks. As I proceeded to help her with her coat, I was glad to see that although she had chosen pants that were much too lightweight for playing in the snow, at least she had on a long sleeve shirt.
As she stepped away from the pile of cold weather gear and the puddles of melting snow, she began to take off the rest of her clothes and strip down to her bathing suit. Yes, a bathing suit.
I took a moment to compose myself and then asked her about this interesting clothing choice. "Mommy, I need it for my pretend lake."
I watched as she walked to the living room, climbed onto the couch and then jumped as if she was jumping off the side of a pool. She laughed gleefully and proceeded to run around in the "water". I will never cease to be amazed at the fascinating and imaginative world of children.
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