Connection-Pronunciation: k&-'nek-sh&n
Function: noun
1) causal or logical relation or sequence <the connection between two ideas>
2) a relation of personal intimacy (as of family ties)
When children connect their thoughts, it’s often amusing to adults. In trying to grasp language, children express ideas that have a “sound” connection (eye, I) or a function relationship (“go’ed” for went). Obviously then, given the context of the moment plus the child’s understanding and their developed language skills can make for humorous moments.
Drawing from my family experience, and those of my friends, I want to share some of these precious moments spoken with such innocence that it warms our heart and makes us chuckle out loud. Please share your humorous occurrences with us as well by clicking here.
§ My daughter was sitting on her great uncle's lap getting acquainted, as she had only met him twice in her life. At one point she looked up at him and said "You're starting to love me, aren't you?"
§ After looking at a bowl of goldfish, my son said, “Mom, all they do is say No!”
§ When my daughter saw a picture of a mummy, she said, “Look, he’s hurt all over!”
§ “My stomach feels a little weird, Mommy.” How does it feel? “It feels cranky.”
§ “Give me the chocolate.” Give me the chocolate… what? (trying to encourage the word please). “Give me the chocolate now.”
§ Holy is when you wear clothes without holes in them and then you pray.”
§ “My name is Rachel and my eyes are khaki.”
§ Just before Chanukah, I asked my son, “What happens when you squeeze olives?” He answered, “You get Aleph-Bet.”
§ My son told me that even if we don’t see angels, we can hear them in our heart. He later said that angels are invisible so that no one should be jealous of one another when they give presents.
§ My son showed me a card addressed to him as “Mr.” He said, “I thought I had to be married to be called that.”
§ My daughter's friend said to me, "This is a really cool car.” "Yeah, she’s a good girl, isn’t she?" I responded. “You’re car is not a girl" she replied. Well, how do you know? I asked. Without pausing, she said, “Only mini-vans are girls, the rest are boys.”
§ In teaching the story of creation, we were discussing the greatness of the Creator of the World. “G-d can do anything,” I said. David shot out of his seat with excitement and said, “Yeah, He can even make Slurpies!”
§ “We can’t be wild or else we’ll erupt the class.”
§ I once asked a student how many brothers and sisters he has. He responded, “Me, Eli, Chaya, Rachel and Sarah.” Which one is Sarah? “My medium sister.”
§ “Here Mommy, I cut hearts out of paper and I want you to have the scraps”
§ “When the candles are burning, they’re also crying.”
§ My five and seven year old were having a conversation about getting married. The five year old said she was going to marry a boy named David. When her sister laughed at her response, she put her hands on her hips and said, “What, he’s a real nice guy, you know?”
§ In the same conversation, my seven year old told me that she wanted to marry a little boy who loves everything related to space. But then she immediately changed her mind. When I asked why she said it was because she didn’t want to marry someone who would never be home. When I asked where he would be, she calmly said, “Mommy, he’s going to be on the moon.”
A child’s speech/wisdom is profound because nothing is masked in its expression. The delightful glimpse into their world reminds us that we are all children when it comes to learning. That is why even the wisest sage is called a Talmud Chacham (literally, always learning). Language is a door to learn the wisdom of our Creator, and when used properly, a vehicle to connect to Him. May all of our language speak the truth and bring joy to others just like the speech of children!
LOGIN
ASK THE RABBI
