Horsing Around | 2007

Jakjak has always shown a fascination for animals. I think most kids have. His books introduced him to the different kinds of animals, but then, I don't believe children would really understand what these animals are until they see them. 

The first animal that we probably introduce to our kids are our pets. They may be dogs, cats, fish, hamsters or even snakes (although I don't really recommend introducing your python to a 1 1/2 year old child). By then, he would show interest because, well, they're different from him. Admit it,a horse with his personal belongings hanging out from his underside would be a very shocking sight to a small boy. But with kids, feeding their curiosity in the right way will make them appreciate, or at least understand the things around them.

Whenever Jakjak sees something he has never seen before, he asks, "Dad, what's that?". And we always tell him what it is in as simple as possible. And when he comes across something that we have taught him before, he becomes excited and points it out "Dad, look! It's our car!", or "Dad, it's a van!". Sometimes what he sees are just similar, but not necessarily the same. And when this happens, we correct him slightly and explain the difference. I reckon, baby talk only works until the child learns to talk. When he is talking concrete words, it's time to upgrade the way you talk to him as well. We talk to Jakjak now as normal as the words he can understand. And it has so far enhanced his vocabulary and understanding.