Learning to Label

Drawing by Anna on the chair. She tried to hide it with her hand while doodling it during our conversation.

Recently we have been catching Anna writing with marker on things. It first started with drawings of characters she likes, or creative portraits of her and her sisters, but now she is writing labels on things. Like Anna`s cup, Everybody`s chair, and the like. She is learning the fun of labeling and it is getting a little out of control.

My first reaction is to sigh and get angry with the fact that she hasn`t stopped even though she has been warned, but then I step back.

In her world objects have little or no value. She doesn`t know the price of the chair or cup or book. To her they are just things and things have a purpose and that is for people. The innocence of her actions tell me that for her it is important to know who is using or should use those objects.

At such a young age it starts with labeling your stuff but soon it moves to labeling people and places. And that can become a tricky subject to say the least.

But it has begun, she is developing the ability to clearly label the world around her. Now comes an important time as a parent to guide her and help her understand such concepts and teach her in the way she should go.

I am in awe of it all, like watching a flower blossom. But also aware I need to protect that precious flower within her.

Thanks for reading