I don’t need to learn to talk, though I don’t mind pleasing my parents now and then by making the effort. They seem so pleased when I do things like point at the door to the garage and say “cah” when I want to get in the car to go to daycare.  But I really don’t need words to communicate. I have a language of my own that works perfectly well.

For instance, at lunchtime when I am in the highchair and I see that there is an item on my parents’ plates that is not being given to me, I merely have to point and make a disappointed grunt. The same sound works well when the food that is being provided me for lunch is not something that I want to eat. I just point at the refrigerator and make the same sound. I know very well where they keep the good stuff.

I also have this squeal that is very versatile.  If the sound goes up at the end, it’s a question. If it goes down at the end, it’s an indication that you are doing something that I disapprove of and, if you persist, I will have to start roaring.

Giggles and smiles are more fun than roars and work well also, especially when it’s time for you to stop whatever boring adult thing you are doing to come play with me! I make it a point to demand that my parents play with me at least several times a day. It’s good exercise and they always look happier afterwards.

Instead of talking about music, I like to dance to it, especially when Grandma brings over the special toys that play music when you punch buttons. If you punch enough buttons, trumpets and violins play loudly. When that happens or when Grandma sings a song I really like, I dance.  My way of dancing is to shake my head back and forth vigorously as if saying no no no. Sometimes I can get Grandma to dance with me, but she does it differently.

If I point enough, Grandpa will get out his phone to show me stuff. Or with his Apple watch, I just swipe with my finger and see all kinds of interesting things.

When I want my Mama, all I have to do is run up to her and grab her legs.  If she’s out of the room, a loud cry will fetch her quickly. Or, if she’s cooking in the kitchen, I can run towards the kitchen and stand and rattle the gate. That works well and then I can also see what she’s cooking.

To bring my Papa running, I just have to grin or giggle at him.  He’s the best at doing funny things to make me laugh.

I certainly don’t need words to get my Grandma to play with me. All I have to do is run between the ottoman and the sofa and she will throw the special ball for me  (the big soft one with a bell in the middle).  Or (Grandma’s favorite) she will put pillows over the gap between the ottoman and the sofa, and I will crawl through the tunnel, chasing the ball.

I don’t need to use words to ask for help, either. Like the other day, when I woke up from my nap too soon and couldn’t stop crying.  Grandma just held me and rocked me and sang “The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round” (my favorite song) over and over again.  She even made up a verse for me.

So you see, I can communicate with the adults in my life and get all the help and food and fun I need, without speaking actual words.

But I might go ahead and learn to talk, one of these days.  Just for the fun of it.