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Baby Talk -- Writer's Poke #206

She can't speak many words, but she is capable of making many meaningful expressions.

Every time she sees a kitty cat, she makes sure that everyone has the pleasure of seeing it. Every time she sees a ball, or anything that is round and remotely looks like a ball, she points it out.

The girl sometimes has the ability to surprise, like the first time she called out for apple sauce by name, or when she recognized Elmo even though we never watch Sesame Street at home.

Having a little vocabulary doesn't stop her from getting what she wants; it doesn't stop her from excitedly approximating sounds to express what she needs or sees. Baby talk, in other words, is about more than clearly-pronounced words. It's about facial expressions, foot-stomping, pointing, and the simple joys of toddler-hood.

What can you learn from a baby, toddler, or young child?

"My friend has a baby. I'm recording all the noises he makes so later I can ask him what he meant." -- Steven Wright

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