Taxonomy for Dogs and Children
When my niece Susan (not her real name) was a baby, she adored my big dog Mina. One day, Susan and Mina were sitting with me and playing a game. I would point to my eye, and Susan would point to her eye. Then I would point to the dog, and Susan would point to Mina's eye. Then I would say "Susan's eye" and Susan would point to her eye. We played "eye," and "head," and "ear." Susan hesitated, but then lifted one of Mina's floppy ears and laughed. An ear is still an ear, even when it's furry and floppy. Then we switched, and I pointed to Mina's mouth, and then to mine. Susan said, "mouth" and pointed to her mouth. I said, "Auntie Lynn's mouth," and Susan pointed to my mouth. Then I pointed to the dog, said, "Mina," and pointed to Susan. Susan pointed to her chest and said proudly, "Susan!" Susan was learning both the names for parts of the body, and that those names belonged