Social relations
3V0865.01 Counting with Mimi: alternate counting game (6/5/80) Miriam announced a game she and Peggy have been playing – a game of alternate counting. Miriam and Peg count alternately: M1, P2, M3, P4, M5, P6, M7, P7, M8, P9, M10, P11, M12, P12 6/8 note: Peg fast count from 4-11 by herself in the other …
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 …
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 …
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 …
3V0829.01 Counting; conventional now to six (4/30/80) Robby and I discussed Peggy’s counting and he informs me she counts now beyond four, to six, quite conventionally. He has waked and heard her counting in her crib “one, two, three, four, five, six, nine, ten” This is further evidence of the influence of hide and seek.
3V0827.01 Reading: naming and describing (4/28/80) When Peggy reads pictures, she primarily identifies, i.e. names the characters. Thus in Richard Scary’s books, she might exclaim, “There’s lowly worm.” Encountering some rarer figure, she asks “Who’s that?” Beyond naming, Peggy has begun to go on to interpretation of the pictures, describing what the character is doing.
3V0825.01 Words and pictures: [Peggy read pictures. Daddy read words.] (4/26/80) Peggy has taken a fancy to an old issue of National Geographic (she looks through it for the “ladies”). she brings it over to my chair, climbs in my lap, and asks (expects, commands) to be read to. Sometimes I ask her to read, …
3V0824.02 Hide and seek (4/25/80) Miriam and Peggy play “hide and seek” — and Peggy’s imitation is prominent. The place she picks to hide is always where Miriam hid immediately before. Counting has resurfaced as an issue in this context. Peggy hides her head and counts (1, 2, 3, 4…) then runs to find Miriam. …
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!”
3V0819.03 “I believe it” (4/20/80) Miriam noted Peggy’s comment about something she had said.
3V0819.02 She-teddy (4/20/80) Gender is not a forward distinction for Peggy yet. She played with her Teddy bear, saying, “Teddy tired…(lays it down)… He’s a good girl.”
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 …
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” …
3V0811.06 Birds (4/12/80) Miriam made a cardinal “Make it bake-it.” years ago; it hangs from the center of our dining-room window and is frequently remarked upon by Peggy. Since the birds have returned this spring, she has more to discuss at table. Climbing in a chair by the window shoe noted, “See more birdie…Right there…He’s …
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 …
3V0799.03 Wanting present mommy (3/31/80) Driving back from cub scouts after dropping Robby off — Peggy yawned. I said, “Tired?” P: Yes. G: Maybe that’s because you didn’t have a nap today. P: (loudly) I want Mommy…I want Mommy.” G: You have a Mommy, right here. P: (flat) Oh. G: (I chuckled) P: That funny …
3V0792.01 Context appropriate verbal accompaniment: remembered rhyme (3/24/80) Sitting with Peggy on my lap, I became aware that she was babbling to herself. As I listened, I realized she was reciting an appropriate jingle… something like “Go horsie… go town… take-a Peggy…all fall in.” Gretchen
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.
3V0788.01 Knock-knock again (3/20/80) This morning Peggy said to me suddenly: P: Knock knock G; who’s there ? P: Tim-mer. G: Timber ? Timber who ? P: (giggled and shrugged). She repeated this conversation several times. Gretchen
3V0787.01 Knock-knock variations (3/19/80) Sitting with Peggy and Miriam after dinner. somehow the phrase knock knock came up.. M&P: Knock knock M: knock knock P: Who’s there ? M. Tim P: Tim who ? (the first time I heard her make the appropriate response at this point) M. Timber ! – a second go: M. …
3V0785.04 Me dumb dog — a joke by Peggy (3/17/80) Gretchen was getting Robby from scouts. I was in bed early. Miriam put Peggy in her crib because she would not watch TV with her. Peggy was most unhappy. I rose from bed, rescued her, and we crawled under the covers together. After a little …
3V0781.01 “Peggy Lawler” – what symbols mean to her (3/13/80) Ever since Miriam’s gift of the Grover Book (wherein she wrote PEGGY LAWLER on the inside cover to show ownership), Peggy has interpreted any group of letters as meaning “Peggy Lawler.” She distinguishes (more or less) between four things: letters, seen as individuals; pictures in …
3V0774.01 Jokes as communication protocols (3/6/80) Miriam has been telling (surely in Peggy’s hearing) a knock-knock : M : Knock knock. V : Who’s there ? M : Tim. V : Tim who ? M : Tim – ber ! At supper this evening, Peggy said : P : knock knock. B : Who’s there …
3V0773.01 “Nice poo” (3/5/80) Miriam reports – on explaining that she had to stop play to go to the bathroom, Peggy said (as M. left) ‘Nice poo, Mimi.’
3V0771.02 Scurry and cookies Peggy all too often shares her food with the dog, sometimes on purpose, sometimes not so. Today she took some cookies from a little easter basket made by Miriam and carried them over to Scurry. she then said (and repeated 3 more times) “Scurry eat some.” Here Gretchen censured Peggy, telling …
3V0769.04 Contrast: reading Cat in the Hat (3/1/80) I read this to Peggy for the first time today. It was very difficult to keep her interested in any specific page long enough for me to read aloud the relatively extensive text on each page. Realizing early that this was a problem, I decided to see …
3V0764.01 Many Lawlers: extended family (2/25/80) going through the catalog again: P: “Peggy Lawler… Mimi Lawler…Tree Lawler…” G: “Tree Lawler?” P: “Out there (gesturing).” Gretchen.
3V0762.01 [Robby… com-po-si-tion] (2/23 /80) (Bob calls to Robby from the living room -> no answer). Peggy says “Robby” and heads into the living room. I expect her to summon Robby, but as she heads out of the room she calls “com-pos-si-tion.” (She has heard us reminding the two older children about writing compositions for …
3V0755.02 Many Lawlers (2/16/80) Riding in the car, Peggy spoke to herself up in her car seat. “Peggy Lawler. Mimi Lawler. Robby Lawler. Mommy Lawler. Daddy Lawler.”
3V0754.01 [Robby offa chair] (2/15/80) Robby was given a chair by his great grandmother when he was 2. It was handed down to Miriam and now to Peggy, but he still feels privileged to sit on it (though much too big). Peggy asserts the chair is hers (after all, she is the only one of …
3V0733.01 [chin hurts] Variation anchor, abetted by questioning. (1/25/80) Peggy somehow hurt herself, and when asked what was the matter, replied, ‘Chin hurts.’ A few days previously, as I was changing her diaper, I became aware that she was talking away. P : ‘…neck….hurt (or hurts, I could not notice)…’ G : ‘Your neck hurts, …
3V0731.01 At the Childrens’ Museum (1/23/89) Peggy and the rest of us came to Boston for her birthday. My reasons for proposing this trip were that I though she would enjoy the infant’s castle at the children’s museum, to introduce her to the Kuehnle’s, and to introduce her to Logo. We all went to the …
3V0728.01 [Robby…lookit] vocative + verb example (plus others) (1/20/80) Another example of a vocative-verb to element structure. Peggy, just now, (1/29/80) came out with another, more directly comparable to ‘Mimi…did-it’), she carried a book to Robby and said ‘Robby, do-it.’
3V0720.02 [joke… knock-knock]: verbally formulated classification based on a single exemplar. 1/12/80) We all sat at table this evening. Either Gretchen and I teased and all of us laughed, Peggy too. I believe I asked her what she laughs about (the joke was one she could not comprehend). Peggy responded, “joke…” and then continued “knock-knock.” …
3V0718.02 Tirades: reappearance as singing (cf. P103-105); talking to Scurry. (1/10/80) Failing earlier to capture Peggy’s tirades mechanically, I’ve been delighted to find this behavior re-emerge. The most striking example appeared as Peggy led Scurry around the house on the leash. She spent considerable time yammering at Scurry as she took her on this inside …
3V0718.01 Who’s there ? (Original notes on homely binding and lonely discovery) (1/10/80) Peggy’s use of the knock-knock joke script has been monolithic — ie. she would not respond in the victim’s role, nor would she continue in any way no matter what response her victim made. This morning, when I brought some coffee to …
3V0706.02 Puppy in Boston: default location of “gone” animate things (12/29/79) Over the past several weeks, Peggy has often given evidence of distinguishing between the sound of a bark and the word as the name of the sound. One of the puzzles Peggy received for Christmas was a five piece Puppy puzzle. Peggy came crawling …
3V0704.01 Playing the piano. (12/27/79) Often since her early infancy, Peggy would come to me while I sat at the piano and ask to come up with me. It has been my practice to then play “chopsticks” with the middle range of the piano free for Peggy’s playing with me. I have shaped her playing …
3V0703.01 [Mimi…mad…Mimi…fall down] Expressed speculation. (12/26/79) Miriam has been playing with her old set of infant size legos which we gave Peggy for a Christmas present. She has tried through much of the day to construct a mobile dog (dragon?) and failed with amazing consistency. Lately cries of “awg !!” have been coming down from …
3V0701.01 [Mine…Peggy…Peggy’s…back]:clear use of a possessive, but one where syntactic structure is decidedly subordinate to the context; Peggy’s picture (12/24/79) I bought some Polaroid film the other day and today had taken a picture of Peggy sitting with me in my chair. I set it on the piano to develop completely. when her image appeared, …
3V0689.02 Singing. Play [morny dew]; ride [boton…lynn] (12/12/79) About this time, Peggy began referring to “Morning Dew” to indicate she wanted to hear some Irish Music (One of our newest records is Makem and Clancey’s “Two for the Morning Dew” with two songs referring repeatedly to “early in the morning dew” and “two for the …
3V0684.01 [Bye, Culdah] (12/7/79) Going out for a trip in the car, Peggy paused on the front porch to wave to Scurry, who was tied out on the other side of the drive, “Bye, Culdah.” Gretchen.