Reading related
3V0918.02 Self-classification: “I daughter.” (7/28/80) Peggy confided to me thus that she was a daughter, sitting in my lap. Over the next few days, she refined that self classification. Mimi is the big daughter. Peggy is my little daughter.
3V0918.01 Non standard sentence: [Toast. That feel better me.] No further text available.
3V0917.01 Egocentricity and agent expression: very non-standard usage (7/27/80) At the beach: On their return, Peggy informed me of an event that was important to her(She has referred to it several times since, in nearly the same verbal formulation): “Go to the beach the beach and fall in the water, then somebody pick me up, …
3V0916.01 Commitment to an interpretation: [go pick the lady grass.](7/26/80) Miriam has been given the job of picking grass out of the driveway and she resists it mightily. I recently scolded her and told her to go pick out every blade of grass at the turn (the grass had slowed drainage and caused some flooding). …
3V0910.02 Possessive pronouns: non-standard forms [he lives in he’s house.] (7/20-24/80) Peggy was reading that Britanica book which begins with a picture of several animals and asks where they live. There are pictured on one page a horse, dog, spider, turtle, and others (?) and on the facing page a barn, pond, dog house, and …
3V0896.01 Letters as symbols for people’s names (7/6/80) In session P127 and P128, Peggy revealed the congeniality of her conceiving of and remembering letter names as associated with members of our family. Today she sat on the floor and help up a ‘P’. “That’s me, right?” she asked and later “That Robby?” (for a ‘B’). …
3V0893.01 Excuses: [No. I’m keeping my ears warm.] (7/3/80) Miriam returned from Boston with a hat I bought her, like the one I bought Robby the week before. The hats are too large for the children unless adjusted to their minimum size. While Peggy ran around with her head submerged in Miriam’s hat (which Robby …
3V0880.01 Reading” two words: [That say ‘no’. (in No more tangles)] (6/28/80 and earlier) Miriam reported to me two incidents occurring during my five days in Boston. First, she tricked Peggy. Pointing to the word “No” on the container of “No More Tangles,” Miriam asked if she could read it. Peggy said, “No.” Miriam congratulated …
3V0882.03 Reading as VERY specific knowledge: The Calculus Affair (6/22/80) Peggy climbed into a chair with the Tintin book unopened. Pointing to the title on the cover she asked “What’s that name, way up there?” “Calculus,” I answered. Pointing a little lower, she asked, “What’s that name?” My answer was “affair” and finally “The” when …
3V0882.01 More on “crack” and “bang”: [It DOES say ‘crack’] (6/21/80) Peggy sits across the room from me, reading “The Calculus Affair.” A few moments ago she read at the end of the book, “I love him and that one. I love Snowy and Captain Hack-uck.” (pointing at the pictures) I agreed Snowy was a …
3V0880.03 “Crack” and “bang”: correction by Miriam; that say “Peggy Lawler” Peggy clambered in Gretchen’s lap with “The Calculus Affair.” She read some words to Gretchen, That say ‘crack’; that say ‘crack’; that say ‘BANG’!” How did she ever learn that (“Bang”) ? Miriam explained that while Gretchen and I were off at Guilford Lake’s …
3V0880.02 Reading a word/image: lighting & thunder from Tintin Last night, after dinner, Peggy asked to sit in my lap, “Daddy, I sit you.” First we read a Tintin cartoon book that was close at hand (The Calculus Affair). We went over the first few pages identifying the characters (Snowy, Tintin, Captain Hack-uck). I identified …
3V0880.01 Using “shame on you” (cf. notes of 6/16) (6/20/80) Last night at supper, Peggy clambered into Robby’s chair while he was in the kitchen. He returned, touched her on the head from behind the chair and asked what she was doing in his chair. Peggy pushed away his hand saying, “Shame on you.” Miriam …
3V0876.02 Roots of reading: recapitulation of Benj. Bunny Peggy just said, “Bunny slid [/sit?] down in the road and went to Mister Gregor’s house.” Peggy was, of course, looking at Benjamin Bunny, pp. 10-11. The text is as follows: “as soon as they had passed (The McGregors), little Benjamin Bunny slid down into the road, …
3V0876.01 More role articulation: (toilet training) (6/26/80) Peggy has been much engaged with toilet training (mainly from social pressure plus a little direct instruction). For example, when I called home from Boston last week, she was so proud of herself she explained having taken off her coat and dress and that she had pissed in …
3V0873.01 Funny verbs: [I be a small-ey] (6/13/80) Playing on my bed in the morning, we began to talk about being big and small. At one point, she asserted, “I be a small-ey.” This is a weak example of her usage, to further examples of which we will try to be more sensitive.
3V0864.01 More on aspect: peculiar verbs (6/4/80) /In the note of 5/23/80, I remarked on Peggy’s use of “did” to specify what is probably aspect. Another example occurred today where Peggy on Miriam’s being away from home [sic]. I believe I asked her where Miriam was. She responded (and I remember this precisely, “Mimi’s gone. …
3V0862.02 Beginning reading: reading from Puppies book (6/2/80) reconstructed from a journal entry of 6/2/80 ) When Peggy offered to read to me (“Daddy, I read you”), I joined her on the floor. Her specific reconstruction of three pages via pictures were these: TERRIERS: “Once a morning, puppy want a dig a hole (this reflects …
3V0862.01 Roots of reading (6/2/80) Peggy has started reading to us. It began last night when I came to bed and found Peggy reading a Tintin book to herself. She offered to read to me, open[ed] to the first page and began: “once a morning, a ship (was) in the water…” then closed the book …
3V0856.01 Anticipating trouble; the unusual is forbidden (5/27/80) Miriam and Peggy were outside. Miriam wanted to go down to the beach without her sister, so she told Peggy that “Mommy wants to speak to you. Peggy headed inside remarking, “Am I in trouble?” Peggy was pestering me mildly as I sat at the table, so …
3V0852.02 More imitation: (Bob with cast on leg, using Rob’s boot) (5/23/80) Peggy was playing with one of Miriam’s old cowboy boots. She put it on one foot and stumped around remarking, “I have cow boot. I have a cast on my leg.” [bob had broken his foot on Good Friday, and has had a …
3V0852.01 Verbal aspect: self correction I do -> I did (5/23/80) Peggy has been to the beach with Gretchen. Returning from Boston, I heard of Peggy falling down in the water and began to talk about it with her: Bob: You fell ? Peggy: I fall in water. Bob: You do ? Peggy: (correcting me!): …
3V0851.02 Lonely discovery: another micro-script {This little piggy…] (5/22/80) Upon awakening late this morning, I could hear Peggy through the partition separating our rooms, talking to herself. She said, “This little piggy…wee wee home.” We have recited this game for Peggy for some while (and Gretchen did so when Putting Peggy to bed last night). …
3V0851.01 Inappropriate color names: red and blue are green also (5/22/80) Peggy is sensitive to color as an important descriptor. She interprets color names as such and uses them in her speech — but the application is all wrong. Her favorite color term is green — she applies it generally (and with no obvious uneasiness) …
3V0846.02 Directed speech: Peggy in multiple roles and reading (5/17/80) Peggy found the other day a toy candy dispenser with a rabbit head on top. Today she sat on the floor, playing with it and reading the Britannica ‘Thinking’ book. She asked the rabbit: Peggy: Wanta read it to me rabbit ? Rabbit: That’s a …
3V0846.01 Third person for intense emphasis: commands to Scurry (5/17/80) Peggy played with Scurry, trying to get her to SIT (a command which Scurry will obey when she chooses). With the dog on a leash, Peggy pulled her around for a while and in the course said “sit.” Scurry did not obey. Intensifying her command, …
3V0840.01 Using “then”: example of suitable temporal conjunction (5/11/80) This is a lost example. I can no longer recall precisely what Peggy said, but the import remains to me. She connected two sentences together with “then” explaining to me some earlier action of hers. It was a clear case of suitable temporal conjunction — a …
3V0839.01 Assimilation example: dragon/’snake’ (5/10/80) Miriam brought home from the library a recording of “The Hobbit.” Pictured on the cover is the dragon, ‘Smaug’ (as Tolkein notes, a “low gothic joke.,” the past participle of “smugen” to extrude from or through a hole). No one, I believe, has even mentioned dragons to Peggy and no …
3V0836.01 Imitation of role: (bob in chair, chasing away kids) (5/7/80) Peggy was sitting in Bob’s big recliner, reading. When Miriam came along, Peggy said to her, “Go away, Mimi… I trying to work.” At about the same period or slightly later, she chased Robby out of that same chair, telling him to leave because …
3V0833.01 “Meaning”: asking about unknown references (5/4/80) Peggy has begun to inquire about what some incomprehensible utterance means. At supper this evening, we were discussing my next trip to Boston (Peggy is beginning to claim she should come along.) When, among familiar words, I mentioned going to “Logo”, Peggy immediately asked, “What meaning ‘Logo’?” Gretchen …
3V0832.01 Peggy’s Typer: (5/3/80) Peggy asked today (with no prompting at all) that I get out her “Typer.” This is merely a further indication of her letter-interest.
3V0831.01 Names as unique identifiers: Rob is a person; she is a toddler, not a person. (5/2/80) Peggy has two toys, a dog and a cat, which were once containers of bubble bath. The blue cat she refers to as “kitty.” The pink poodle she formerly referred to as a dog. Recently I told her …
3V0830.01 Limit to script competence: ( fabricated date: 5/1/80) After Miriam’s “Timber” knock knock, Peggy began “knock-knock.” Miriam responded, “Who’s there?” Peggy appeared a little distressed for a moment, then responded, “Mimi said.” and smiled.
3V0824.01 The joke’s on us: [that’s What !] (4/25/80) Upstairs, Peggy called repeatedly: “Mommy…Mommy…Mommy.” A bit annoyed, I called back, “What? What? What?” Peggy instantly replied, “That’s What!”
3V0822.01 Why did it?” (4/23/80) I changed a soggy diaper and dropped it into the diaper pail. Peggy said very seriously, “Why did it ? Why put diaper in there ?” Gretchen
3V0819.03 “I believe it” (4/20/80) Miriam noted Peggy’s comment about something she had said.
3V0819.01 Progressive Verbs (4/20/80) Peggy has used present participles as progressive verb forms in a descriptive mode (as on last page). In two incidents, the context makes clear her richer semantic framework served by those forms. Yesterday I sat on the front stoop. Peggy came up the path and before reaching the stairs said to …
3V0818.01 Directed speech (cf. 4/5) (4/19/80) Peggy inherited from Miriam a large number of small Fischer-Price “people” and toy animals. Today Peggy played with the toys in my hearing. Walking them down the piano, Peggy gave directions to the toys, as people — and language addressable creatures, about where to walk and what to say …
3V0817.01 No function words (4/18/80) Peggy and I walked down the drive way toward the house. She held her “Bear Hug” by its arm. Holding the bear at ground level and bouncing it, she said, “Bear walking me.” Playing inside with an ovoid on four wheels, painted as a lady-bug, Peggy remarked, “Playing Lady Bug.” …
3V0813.01 Why because! (4/14/80) Peggy has been driving us crazy with her “why?” queries (I am much more aware of this than I was with the two earlier children). Her use of the question is at least twofold (see also 4/12/80 entry), as conversation continuer and as argument. By continuer, I mean Peggy uses “why” …
3V0811.05 Multiple farewells (4/12/80) I was taking a bath and Peggy was in the room. She turned and went out, saying. “I’m going to see Mimi.” G: OK. P: “Bye-bye.” G: Bye, Peggy P: See you later, Mommy. G: See you later, Peg. Gretchen
3V0811.04 Surprising syngnosticity (4/12/80) Peggy’s toy elephant she names “Arroot.” Miriam received as a birthday present a pig hand-puppet which Peggy very much admires. She asked the name and Miriam called it “Alfred,” since which Peggy has been chasing and pestering her for “My arroot.” The resolution a half hour later: Peggy came in the …
3V0811.03 Correction (4/12/80) With my cast, I received a small boot to protect the plaster from the weather. I’ve told Peggy this is my “bootie.” I just sent her out to get her face and hands washed (she is very sticky after Miriam’s birthday party.) As she passed my foot, she leaned on my foot …
3V0811.02 ‘That’s what’ — a microscript (4/12/80) Peggy’s “Why?” question — which has come to follow our every utterance to her — has become quite annoying. Sometimes we ignore her question, treating it as an annoyance. Other reactions of ours, similar in kind, are “because I told you to” or in truncated form “because…” Outside, …
3V0811.01 Peggy writing ‘Daddy Lawler’ (4/12/80) I came home from Cambridge last night with a cast on my leg. Robby and Miriam both put their decorations on them. Peggy, this morning took a blue pen somehow indicating she wanted to write on the cast. When I asked what she would write, Peggy said, “Daddy Lawler.” …
3V0809.01 Letters and words: [QNA = “Peggy Lawler”] (4/10/80) Peggy played on the floor with her magnetic desk. On the surface, grouped together she put the letters, Q, N, and A.” She got my attention, pointing to the three “Who’s that, Daddy?” I answered that I didn’t know. She informed me, “Peggy Lawler.” Picking up …
3V0804.01 Directed speech (4/5/80) I consider the appearance of this phenomenon one of the most striking evidences of the elevation of control. Several days ago, Peggy approached me with her favorite toy, “Bear Hug.” She said to me, “Say ‘Hi bear’.” I did as she asked. This was repeated a few times, with Scurry as …
3V0797.02 The Scottie in Madeline: [that scurry. that name scurry.] (3/29/80) Reading again Peggy’s early favorite, we came to a page where a figure in the background walks a black Scotty. Peggy asked, “Who’s that who, Daddy?” Confused, I asked, “Who’s what?” She pointed, “That Scurry. That name Scurry.”
3V0790.01 Name: [Daddy name Bob] (3/22/80) Pointing to her father working at his desk, Peggy said, “That Daddy.” G: Yes P: Daddy name Bob.” Gretchen.
3V0789.01 Peggy Lawler again (3/21/80) A later, outstanding example of this interpretation by Peggy occurred as I read “The Fox” (by Peter Spier) to her. Peggy asked, “Who’s that?” pointing to words at the bottom of the cover saying “Illustrations drawn by Peter Spier.” She answered herself, “letters,” pointing to the first words of the …