Questions

Traffic conversations

J: Why you stopped?

A: Because the light is red.

J: You have to stop at a red light?

A: Yes

J: Why you going?
A: Because the light turned green.

J: You can go at a green light?

A: Yes

J: Red means stop?  Green means go?

A: That's right

Repeat every red light or green light or highway driving with no lights.

Another day:

J: Why are THOSE cars GOOOO-ING?  The light is red!

A: Our light is red, honey.  Those cars have a green light.

J: Huh?

A: There are two streets.  The cars on that street can go.  The cars on our street are stopped.

J: Those cars can go?  We have to stop?

A: Yes

J: Why?

A: Because that's how traffic stays safe.

J: Why?

A: Because these cars stop so those cars can go, and then it will be our turn to go.

Repeat several times

J: Our light is red.  Why are you going!?

A: I'm turning right.  It's allowed.

J: Oh, I see an airplane!

A: (Mentally) Whew!

J: Why you not talking to them? (Pointing to people in the cars on either side of us.)

A: They're in their car and we're in our car.  We talk to each other.  They talk to the people in their car.

J: Why?  Why you not talk to them?

A: I don't know them.  We don't talk to people we don't know.

J: Why?

A: Because we need to only talk to people we know.  That's what's safe.

Repeat at every red light

Swim Lesson Conversations

J: Why you not swimming?

A: This is a swim class for kiddos.

J: Why?

A: Because the teachers will teach you how to swim.  You're going to learn lots of fun things.

J: Why?

A: Because swimming is fun!

J: You come in the water pool with me?
A: No, I won't come in the swimming pool with you this time.  I'm going to watch from up there.

J: Why?

A: Because they don't allow the adults down here.  I'll be right up there.  You can see me through the window.

J: Why they don't let people down here?

A: That's their rule.  (Mentally...I think it's a dumb rule, too and I don't understand it either, but I'm not going to tell you that.)

J: Why?

A: They want everyone to be safe.

2 minutes later

J: You come in with me?

A: No, I will watch you.

J: Why you not come in with me?
A: Because this is a lesson for kiddos and you're a kiddo.

J: What's that over there?
A: That's a water aerobics class for adults.  It's exercise.

J: You going to that?
A: No, I'm not going to that.

J: Why?

A: Because I'm not in that class.

J: Why?  

A: Because I'm here with you.