Though En & Xuan are now able to say a dozen words, a typical “conversation” during the day would end up like this.
[Munchkins point to the DVD player.]
Me: You want to watch DVDs?
Munchkins nod their heads.
Me: What would you like to watch?
Silence… (Probably vocalising the titles inside their tiny little brain)
Me: Would you like to watch Elmo (refers to Sesame Street series)?
Munchkins shake their heads.
Me: How about Hi-5 (refers to the Hi-5 series)?
Munchkins shake their heads again.
Me: Is it Nemo (refers to the movie “Finding Nemo”)?
Munchkins shake their heads this time with some displeasure on their faces.
Me: Then, how about Ah-Bu (refers to the character in the movie “Monster Inc.”)?
Munchkins shake their heads vigorously and start to make noise.
Me: Okay, is it Mickey (refers to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse series) then?
Munchkins grin from ear to ear, nodding their heads simultaneously.
You know what? Such “silent” conversation doesn’t always end on a happy note. There are times when I feel like quitting the human race when I’ve exhausted the list (and sub-listing like the titles under Sesame Street or Hi-5 series!!!) and still haven’t got the right answer! It is having to guess every single possible answer to their request that’s the silent killer! Forget those books which advocate giving choices to tots but limiting the options to 2. It doesn’t work all the time. I have come to realise a particular trick which works better – don’t even ask! Just play whatever DVDs I feel like it. More often than not, they’ll just watch along with me or run off to play on their own if they are not interested. Perfect!
4 comments:
I'm curious. What if you suggest one title and one of them nods but the other shakes then how?
Do they always want to do the same thing or watch the same show?
Hi hi... Well, it happens sometimes. One will nod while the other shakes her head. And more often than not, I'm just thrilled to have "finally" got the right answer for one of them, I'll just tell the other "Let's just watch this since your sister prefers to watch it. Is that OK?". Amazingly, I always get a nod for that as well.
I think they more or less prefer to do the same stuff (including TV programmes and DVDs), even though their personality is quite different. En prefers activities which are quieter and requires concentration (eg. peg puzzles and reading). Xuan is more outgoing and takes pleasure in activities which requires her to run, climb, jump (basically a playground fan). So when given the same activity, they'll both participate. The only difference is the duration which they spend on the activity. Hee!
Hello Aunty Faith,
Really enjoy reading yur blog on this posting & allow my mummy to be prepared for my upcoming terrible 2 stage.
Love from Hayley
Hi Hayley dearie!
Tell your mommy to set her mind at ease. From the look of it, she will not have a hard time with you entering the terrible twos stage, that is, if you ever enter that stage at all!!! Kekeke... You are so gentle & well mannnered, I've to tell myself it has got to do with your genes (just look at your mom & dad!). Else, I may end up feeling very depressed over my parenting skills. Hahaha...
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