The ‘Ima’ mystery, solved.

Recently I noted that Koala picked up on the fact that Ima = mama. And when I go and get him at the gan, he runs up to me with his big hug and says, Ima! like all the other kids.

But since the week started, it became apparent that Ima has another expressive use for him. And for the life of us, we couldn’t figure out what it meant. Koala has been yelling Ima! Ima! Ima! as loud as he can, while appearing to be looking for something – when I’m standing right there.

So it became clear to me that it must have another meaning for him, but what?

Then yesterday I got it: He hears the other kids in gan call out Ima when they are angry or sad or upset or impatient… So I think he thinks you just yell it when your angry or sad or upset or impatient…

And, let’s face it, he’s not too far off.