Tip 169: Ask a 1 year old Why?

As previously blogged, an enquiring mind can be encouraged in a baby by internalizing the different forms of questions: Who, Where, What, How, Which, When and Why. I was wondering then, at what age can the most crucial question form of 'why' be understood. I found the answer. Haruka now understands and uses the concept Why at age one already.












I was even impressed that Haruka knows that the question why is always followed with the answer "because". She would reply spontaneously with the answer "because", drag it, pause and give whatever reason she could think of or even if just repeating the previous question.













Daddy asks,"Why do you like ice cream?". Haruka answers,"because ... oishii." (delicious in Japanese).













Daddy asks,"Why do you like dolphin?". Haruka answers,"because ... dolphin/or because Haruka like".












Notice that I would introduce the question "why" even when I would know Haruka would find it difficult to give an intelligent answer. It is part of communication. We are talking on items of interest to Haruka and these questions make her think. I noticed that as I continue to question her, the answers get more intelligent by the day.












I first introduced the concept of "why" to Haruka by giving her the question as well as the answer. I would ask,"Why are we going out?". Then I answer,"Because we want to see the dog." She is excited and repeats after me, "because see dog". After a while, when asked, she would repeat answers she previously heard, or even constructs her own reasons.












This is one step to a thinking baby. It reemphasizes the need for daddy to spend time communicating. Looking into the baby's eye, trying to understand his/her thought process and feelings.












(Photos show the Tokyo Imperial Palace. Had the priviledge to go on a free walking tour of the palace by very knowledgeable volunteers who aspire to be professional tour guides. Highly recommend the free tour. I now see the palace in a new light. From the Central Entrance of the Tokyo station that once was the only passage allowed for the imperial family, to the different gates of inspection which finally allows entrance to the gardens and the emperor's abode. According to rumours, if Tokyo does not get selected for Olympics in 2016, then the budget allocated for such a world event would be spent to be rebuilt the Edo Castle).