"Use your words..."

I can't deny the power of nonverbal communication; it's often far more powerful or important than verbal communication, but I also can't deny the power of using words.  As my son was growing up, we often would remind him of that phrase. Sometimes noises and whining just can't make things happen, but using words to clearly communicate what your needs are can.  When Gretchen G. came to speak to us this week, she used the phrase "Use your words" quite a few times, and I couldn't help but think of using the phrase with my son and how I've just started using it for my daughter; the cycle is beginning all over again.