Snakes in the Tub

Ever since Kate was just a wee babe, we have talked, mimicked and imitated animal sounds.  When she was younger (and still into today), if she was/is fussy in the car (which was/is rare), just hearing her Mommy and Daddy ask each other what each animal says and hearing them then recreate that animal sound seemed/seems to calm our baby girl and kept/keeps her entertained.  (For the record, this is a fun game for us too, especially when we hear each other’s renditions of animal sounds.  Who needs conversation when you can belch out animals noises all day?!)  When we have spare time at home or are reading a book with animal pictures, we go through the respective animal sounds associated with the pictures.  Nowadays, we also incorporate our animal sounds into the tub where we have different animal tub toys to incorporate sounds with too.

Since Kate is learning physical motions very easily (clapping her hands, shaking her head no and yes, waving, etc.), I figured that it would be great to incorporate what animals do in addition to their sounds.  For example, if you extend your arms in front of you and clap your palms together, alligators go, "CHOMP!  CHOMP!  CHOMP!"  If you tickle your underarms, one at a time, left underarm with left hand, right with right, monkeys go, "Oooh!  Oooh!  Aaah!  Aaah!"  If you slither your hand through the air, snakes say, "Ssssssssss!"  You get the point!

We have nailed the alligator chomp down for sure!  I knew that would be a great one to start with because it’s similar to clapping and Kate has clapping down pat!  Whenever we ask her what an alligator does, she now claps her hands together!  The next animal I thought to teach was the snake, slithering through the air.  Tonight, while bathing, when I asked Kate if she remembered what a snake does, she said, “Ssssssssss”!  (Nevermind the slithering motion through the air.)

I was shocked!  Did Kate really just say her first animal sound or was this just a serious coincidence?!  Of course, I praised and applauded, but then I asked again, “Kate, can you tell Mommy what a sss-snake sss-says-sss?”

And, once again, Kate said, “Ssssssssss!”

A snake!  A SNAKE!  Of all animals and their respective sounds a snake sound is Kate’s first animal sound!  I would never have guessed this.  I thought for sure a dog or cat or cow would come before snake, but I’ll take it!  It is absolutely amazing to see Kate learn and understand what I have been teaching her.  AMAZING!  And it gives me so much joy to see that little smile and hear that little snake sound!

It seriously is the cutest snake you’ll ever see!  And I don’t know many people who think snakes are cute!  Now the hard part is not practicing our newfound skill, but deciding which animal sound/motion to teach next!  We are entering an extremely fun phase of animal sounds and I am so excited to see what the future holds!