Ava's Language

Having spent some time with my granddaughter Ava this summer, I’ve been reflecting on her language. Her favorite word is “No!” meaning that is not what I want, “stop that,” “no way pal” or “you are giving me water when I want milk, what are you thinking?”

She plays a game where she says “Byeeee, byeeee” a twinkle in her eye, runs out of sight for a few moments and then returns back with a bright smile and says “Hieeeee.” She finds great delight in repeating this over and over again. If she says “”Kee kee” it means she wants to go find the kitty. Of course that delights me and I immediately scoop her up and we go on a hunt for the cats. When found I stroke the cat, she cautiously watches, then every so slowly she reaches out and lightly touches the cats back with the tips of her fingers quietly saying, “My keee.”

Some language is clear and complete, for instance she says “All gone,” for empty or there is no more and stucco for stucco. We can thank Eric, her father, for that one. He’s taught her a dinner party trick: “Okay everybody watch my 22 month old say stucco.”

“Kai” is color, which is one of her favorite activities. Crayons are preferable as markers make a terrible mess and we found that Cayola markers are hard to get off her hands. She is an avid “colorer” and thanks to Grandma Roxy she can now do circles.

She says “P” for please, “Ma” for milk , “Na na” for banana” “Aya” for Ava, and “Pree” for pretty. As I listen to her I remember Suzanne’s delight in listening to Eric’s developing language and now I have the same joy in watching Ava’s developing English. It’s a delightful process or as Ava would say, Hieeee………….. Byeeeee.