talking herself down

Talking to yourself and the ability to create a coherent inner monologue about what is happening and should happen next-- those skills are actually pretty important.  It's called self-regulation.  They're important enough that my profession dictates that I directly address this with appropriate patients.

But this blog post is not about any patients or speech therapy.  It's about watching this skill emerge in my kid... totally unexpectedly.

Addy cut her thumb this morning.  We cleaned it up and put a bandage on it, but it continues to bother her.  Every time she tries to use that hand, she cries and says, "owie!!! no!!!" It's been a rough morning.  So, I decided we should get out of the house for sanity's sake.  On our way to the store Addy was behind me in her car seat (away from my help and comfort), and she was continually pained by her minor wound as she tried to use her snack cup.  But, multiple times, she talked herself down and out of the distress of her plight to the tune of, "NOOO! No! Dat owie. Yea... Boo-boo. Oh yea."

Y'all, I just had no idea how early this skill starts.  I'm proud and so impressed right now.