There can be mental activity even when we are not talking. Here are four types of thoughts that do not demand the use of language:

1. Daydreaming: It depends on the mind to create

and visualise images. Artists paint what their minds tell them to paint. When people daydream, it is as if they are being carried away from a conscious to an unconscious state of mind. Snapping your fingers in front of a person who is daydreaming and it will startle him. “,Sorry, I was thinking of something else! I didn’t see you for a moment there.”

2. Composing tunes or music: Unlike songs which to me requires lyrics, words sung to express music, composing require notes or musci scores. In the end, when the music is performed, musical instruments are used. Singers are introduced if people so chooses. People can enjoy a good piece of music that do not have any lyrics to sing to, like the performance here by Andrei Rieu.

3. Many movements we make everyday do not require the process of language to activate them. Movements like walking, pouring, rolling, dancing and scratching are performed based on the internel monologue that happens in our mind everyday. These thoughts are unconscious in the sense, we do not communicate verbally when movement takes place.

4. Feelings of beauty and love teach us to think positively and be happy. In this regard quality of the thought exceeds language.

Parenting tip: When a child speaks with you while you’re daydreaming, thinking or focusing on your thoughts in silence, it does not mean she is interrupting. Typically, children do not know that thoughts are private and have to be done in silence. It is best to explain to the child why you are able to attend to him when you working on something, even when you are merely thinking, than to tell the child not to interrupt. “Not to interrupt” works against parenting methods that give children liberty to express themselves freely around people. The child cannot understand the difference between the two. It can lead to negative behaviour like throwing tantrums, shouting and sulking. We can explain by saying, “Mum is thinking of something. Wait a second.” Please do not speak to daddy now. He is working (reading his emails).” It takes patience to explain to children about the need for privacy of thought, that not people have to speak all the time to be heard. The end result however, is more positive and desirable.