B r i a n V e r k l e y

English and kids

2009-07-30 13:00:00 • by Brian Verkley

The English language is fascinating.  I've only started to have a real appreciation though when Hadley started to use it.

For a while now she has had a mastery of the word "fit", as in "no fit" when she means "this block does not fit in that hole".  She uses it for a lot, like "no fit" could also mean, "my sock does not fit on your foot, dad", or "this doll is far too big for that tiny chair".

See, she understands "fit" in that object A can not fit inside object B, (or vice versa in the sock scenario).

However, the other day we were putting toys away when she picked one up and said, "no fit".  It clearly would "fit" in the container, but it didn't belong there; it was from a different toy set.  She correctly identified that that piece was different and that it didn't belong.  And she chose to verbalize that with "no fit" in that it wasn't "fit" to belong there.  Sure, it "fits", but it wasn't "fit".  By the way, she promptly got up, went to the container for that misplaced toy, and put it there.

This isn't object A fitting inside object B, this is "the types of objects that are in object B are not similar to this object A, and therefore it does not belong".  That is a whole different meaning of the same word, and one she decided to use on her own.

The thing that fascinates me is that _she_ chose to use it.  She chose to use that word for a different meaning.  A meaning that happens to be perfectly normal English, although not used by Leanne or I much.  (we would say it doesn't belong or doesn't match instead of isn't fit)

How?  Why?  Fascinating.

Comments

by julie • 2009-08-11 13:17:34

I am glad you find all of that very fascinating. Just wait until she learns to spell more.... when teaching grade one and two I said "English is just silly sometimes" (sounds and letters don't "fit")
I am glad you wrote on your blog :)

by Brian Verkley • 2009-08-11 18:17:27

sounds are already silly. When learning the letter "K" why do they use "kittens" as a picture. Don't they know that kids will say "Cat". Or should I say "Kat". sheesh.