Never Look Down On Toddlers' Ability

Li Syuen knew how to talk when she is about 10 months old. Everyone thought that the first word she learned is "mummy" or "daddy". Sad to say that the first word that she learned is "fish". Then, she knows how to speak "ball-ball", "want", "don't want", "daddy" and so on. Yup, even "daddy" she also knew already but not "mummy" until recently, she starts calling me. Of course, I feel so happy in fact, OVERJOYED. I answered with a big smile.

One thing I realised is that she only calls me when she needs me to be around. Every time when I tried to walk away, she would kept on calling "mimi, mimi". And she found that it is very interesting to see my response. Then, she will show you her mischievious look. I found that she knew many words just that she wanted to be praised and to be responded when saying some words.

Now, she is already 20 months old. She knew how to speak in sentences but I still couldn't make her to say what I wanted her to say. She will automatically speak in sentences when she wanted something especially when she is in anger. I'm indeed surprised when her nanny told me that she asked her husband "Uncle, are you eating meat balls?" From that day onwards, I do really listen carefully to what she is talking. And I never imagined that she does speak in sentences, just that we are so use to her mumbling and that we are 'looking down' on toddlers' ability, we never realized that she is good in talking.

Now, I do not force her to speak according to what I say but I just chatting with her to make her speak naturally. I think this is the best way to let her explore in communication.
Just weeks ago, I brought her to my elder sister-in-law's house to have some fun with her cousins. When they were playing ball, my daughter hit her cousin's arm. I asked her why she did that and she answered me "Because I wanted the ball." I'm so shocked that she knew how to use the conjunction "because".

Everyone in the living room were so shocked and of course, we were laughing away..So, never ever estimate toddlers' ability. Never ever look down on them. Don't think that they can't, just that they don't want to show their ability or maybe you haven't found the right way to encourage or to boost their ability and talent.