Jacob, like most toddlers, is going through the "why" stage. I've witnessed other children in this stage; in fact, I must have gone through it with Hannah. But Jacob has taken it to a level that is nothing short of impressive. He can stretch the original why along a tangent so long that it's hard to believe each question is actually connected to the one that preceded it.
A sample (but even it won't do justice to a real conversation - I really just can't remember all of it):
Jacob: Why does the floor have a hole in it?
Me: Because it's an old house.
J: Why is it old?
Me: It was built a long time ago.
J: Why was it built a long time ago?
Me: That's just when the builders decided to build it.
J: Why did they decide to build it?
Me: Someone needed a house.
J: Why did someone needed a house?
Me: So they would have somewhere to live.
J: Why did they want a house with a hole in it?
Me: It didn't have a hole in it then.
J: Why didn't it have a hole in it then?
Me: Because it was new.
J: Why was it new?
And on and on and on. You get the general idea.
The ones I love though stem from misunderstandings. Such as:
Me (reading a story about ducks watching the geese fly south): The ducks watched their long-necked neighbours take off for the winter.
J: Why did they take off their necks?
Me: No, they watched them take off, like fly, like how a plane takes off. They watched them take off and fly away.
J: But why did they have to take their necks off first?
A Calloused Foot
13 years ago
Posts
my house has a hole in it : )
ReplyDeletenice ..... did Hannah ask the same "why" questions?
ReplyDeleteImran
So cute... I love how their minds take on language! It's amazing really.
ReplyDeleteCaroline,
ReplyDeleteKaiden's questions are much simpler because he counters EVERY answer with "But why?"
Kaiden, please put your shoes on.
But why, Nanny?
We're going outside.
But why?
Because we're going to the park.
But why?
So we can play. But why?
You get the picture. They're exhausting, but beautiful!!! donna