When To Correct The Cute Way A Kid Says Things

When I was a parent for the first time to my son, I learned that it was best to correct improper speech patterns or mispronounciations by simply repeating what the child said correctly. No reprimand or put down verbally, just a simple validation of what was said, only this time said properly for the child to hear. And, I did this with my first born. I even managed to get a chance to do it with my 2nd. But, when my 3rd came along I find myself wanting to hang onto the cute little mishaps of speech.

Today, for instance, my 4 year old told me, "Mommy, do you know how I can do this puzzle so well? It's because I MEMBER-IZE where the pieces go!" Hah! I thought it was cute. Even cuter in my opinion is how she refers to a question mark as a CHICKEN MARK! These are just things I'm not ready to correct. Far too soon she will pick up on proper speech. For now, I enjoy these little childhood mis-speaks in that cute little girl voice that will also grow up and change.

Yes, there are words or phrases I will correct by repeating it in the proper form. But, there are some I'm just gonna hang onto for awhile because they make me smile.

Science for Kids: Physics Behind Levers And Catapults

Physics sounds ominous and way too far over the heads of many to be able to instruct it. But, it's not. The laws of physics may seem unattainable to teach, but much of these complex laws can be boiled down to simple explanations and demonstrations. These laws pre-date their discoverers such as Newton. King David put the laws of physics to good use when he pulled out a slingshot and killed the giant.

Yesterday, my children had a blast learning laws of physics involving levers and projectory. We build this easy-to-make catapult out of a paper cup that we had left over from a Christmas party, a rubber band that came in a bundle of mail and a plastic spoon. After we built it, the kids had fun launching salt water taffy into the air. Surprisingly, even my 4 year old shot that taffy clear across the dining room and halfway through the living room with her little hands launching the catapult. Don't worry! We did not aim the taffy toward anyone or anything that would be breakable.