Hypothesizing about abstract concepts.

[rivka]

Recently, Alex has been learning about the concept "hot." Mama's tea is hot. Papa's coffee is hot. Sometimes she has to wait for her food because it's too hot.

At first, it was only a word that she repeated after me. Next, she applied it in situations where I had used it before; for example, she'd point at my steaming mug of tea and say "Hot! Hot!" I would agree, and remind her that she can't touch Mama's cup because it's hot.

Last week, I gave her a piece of cheese toast that was quite warm, but not hot enough to burn her mouth. She touched the cheese with her finger and said, with delight, "Hot!" She'd made the discovery that the property "hot" could apply to things that she is allowed to touch, and not just to dangerous and forbidden things.

Yesterday, as we crossed the street on our way to church, Alex noticed steam coming up from the sewer grates. "Hot!" she suggested. Yes, we agreed. Steam is hot.

And we presented Michael with a large pottery coffee mug with Alex's handprint and footprint on it. As he was turning it this way and that, admiring it, Alex pointed at it. "Hot." Well, not now - but when there's coffee in it, it will be hot.

Abstract concepts are a bit tricky.

Comments

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

Understanding that the steam is hot is pretty dang good. (well, so is the rest...) :-)

[aloha-moira.livejournal.com]

Hee. Maybe she meant she found the mug extremely attractive? ;)

[tammylc.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, she's adorable.

Liam uses "hot" for all extreme temperatures, not just the hot ones. So ice cubes are hot as well.

[ljgeoff.livejournal.com]

"Hot" was my son Jake's first word (not counting mamamamama) - he put his hand in my coffee cup, poor thing.

I remember when Carl was around 2 - we'd had this terrific storm, and some trees had got knocked down. We were out walking, and Carl had looked at them, amazed. "Mom! Trees! Fall Down!" and then, awed, "Trees fall down!"

It is so beautifully wondrous to watch them grow.

[wiredferret.livejournal.com]

Kay is just finishing a phase where all food is "hot!".

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

One of my favourite memories is coming across my oldest nephew (at about age four, I'm guessing) with a stick in one hand & wilding thrashing the dragon that had disguised itself as a tree.

Then there was the visit where the youngest 'phew, scampered up another tree, streched himself across a large branch, arms flopped over the sides, and announced, "I'm a puma." (I have it on tape.)

[zeldajean.livejournal.com]

I remember when my sister (now 10) was learing about hot. For awhile, with respect to running water, it applied to any water not comfortable to her touch. Too hot? "Ow! Hot!" Too cold? "Ow! Hot!"

Thanks for reminding me of that memory :)