Phrases

I've been neglecting a very important topic: Laurel's language development. Seven weeks ago I documented her first 73 words, and I continued to write down her new words on a notepad in the kitchen. I wrote down another 30 or so, then we went to visit my parents for a week and I got out of the habit.

How many words does she speak now? She's not exceptionally articulate, and some of her words can only be understood by a sympathetic listener with good context clues; some of her words not even I can decipher. But she speaks at least 200 words, and adds new ones every day; I am convinced she can learn any word that catches her interest. (Today's new words included "ham.")

I love to discover what new words she will add next; it provides such insight into her mind! But some of her most interesting developments are in the combination of words.

Like Isaac at the same age, she has a few strategies for building her two-word phrases. She is very good with names, and can easily add a personal noun to form phrases like "Laurel shoe," "Night-night Dad," or "Mama iPod." To a lesser extent she knows words that can be used to modify nouns, like "book please" or "more cracker." Finally, there are a few words she always uses in phrases, like "sit down" or "all gone."

Her longest sentences so far have been two two-word phrases combined, like "All done; bib off." Or, as another example, recently she sat on the potty, stuck in her hand, and said "Sit down; stick in."

I really need to write about this topic more frequently. Every time Laurel learns a new word I am momentarily thrilled, but then I immediately take it for granted.