Has it ever happened to you that your little one, suddenly and out of nowhere, starts talking about an anecdote that happened weeks ago (or even months)? My son has started telling everyone that I was stung by a jellyfish in the summer! And you might be thinking… why bring this up now, in the middle of January?
I’ve also noticed that, for the past few weeks, when he plays, he talks or sings to himself. These soliloquies help them communicate and interact with their surroundings by expressing their inner world. They often say things about experiences they've had or project their most intimate emotions.
Even though it might surprise us, it shows that they have the ability to engage in reflective processes, which is a sign of healthy development. It helps them exercise their memory, express their feelings and emotions, and organize their ideas.
There are different types of monologues, for example, talking to themselves, where they start saying things as if someone asked them (like, for example, the jellyfish sting), and repetition (as with songs).
And what should we do? NOTHING! By respecting these moments, we let them stimulate their cognitive and language skills on their own.
And if… if suddenly they wake up and talk to you about a plate of fried calamari, that’s fine too!