Pouring My Art Out

Okay, that was a bad joke… but little miss Olivia does like to point…

If you think about it, pointing is a great way for little kids to learn how to communicate before they can speak. Obviously, it can be used to direct your attention…

But there is more going on than just that. Yes, on the face of it, she is telling me that there is something interesting to look at.

But she is also telling me that she wants me to tell her about whatever it is she is pointing at. She wants to learn about the world around her.

When a kid sees an airplane, they have no idea what it is. Talk to them. Tell them all about airplanes. You might think they have no idea what you are talking about, but the words and sounds go into their little heads and bounce around. They come back out as funny sounds while they attempt to master language. I constantly talked to my daughters when they were little… between the funny sounds and goofy noises. That’s why they are so smart today.

And pay attention to the facial expressions and body language. Pointing can mean so many things. It might be something they like, or it might be something they have never seen before or something they don’t like that they are concerned about. Oh, and play the pointing game all the time. Look for stuff you know they like, and ask them where it is. When they point at it, make a big fuss about it. This, in a nutshell, is how language starts.

So, yeah, my babysitting gig with my little buddy is over for now.

I might be doing it again in a few weeks… I sure hope so.

Because I am crazy about that little munchkin.

She is so sweet and smart and warm and cuddly.

And there is noting like quality time with a little kid.

I know… I’ve said it many times… but if babies, dogs and horses don’t trust someone, then neither should you.

But when they look at you like that… well…

On the other hand, sometimes she looks at me like that. That is Olivia saying to me: ‘Dude, put the camera down, and stop taking pictures for your stupid blog, because we got stuff to do.’

All I can say is, that when she points directly at me, and smiles that little smile that says: ‘I like you’… my heart just melts.