SLP in Training

"Use your words, Ari."

I've said those three little words -- to both kids -- hundreds of times over the years. But today, they came from Max.

Tired after a long holiday weekend away and bored by the drive home, Ari could only muster "uh uh uh." But after Max's suggestion, she did, in fact, ask for water.

It's not the first time that Max played speech-language pathologist.

Some months ago when the kids were in the bathtub, Ari held up a bath toy and said, "It's a shark." Clear as a bell, but incorrect in species, Max corrected her," It's a whale."

Then, like any good speech therapist, he prompted her.

Max: Ari, say whale.
Ari: Whale.
Max: Say firetruck
Ari: Firetruck
Max: Say fireman
Ari: Fireman

I don't know what a firetruck has to do with a whale. But I do know that Max has been in speech therapy for three and a half years and in addition to learning how to speak, he's picked up on how to help others learn to speak.

Wonder if his services are covered by our insurance...