"Mikayla, put that back!"

I have realized that I say "Put that back!" a lot to Mikayla. Typically at some point in the day Mikayla goes through these moods where she just tries to find everything she can that she isn't supposed to have. So, I say "Mikayla, put that back!" First, she usually freezes right where she's at to see what's going to happen. She may also give you this look that only Mikayla can give (she gave it to the Daycare teacher this morning). If I start counting (1, 2, 3) by the time I get to three she is taking off running and throws whatever it is down. I guess she thinks that if it is no longer in her hands she is no longer guilty. I have to watch it because sometimes she throws something she really shouldn't (like my glass of tea!), so in that instance I have to just quietly sneak up on her and take it from her!

Mikayla is now telling me "back." For instance, I gave her her juice out of the fridge, and she no longer wanted it, so she said "back." I now know she understands the concept that "put it back" means to put it where she got it from. She has learned a new word to say, but it has also helped me to realize that I really need to watch how I say things to her. She is now at the age where she really doesn't say what you want her to say when you want her to say it, but eventually it will come out of her mouth!