Yes...He understands!

"I don't think he understands".  I have personally said that phrase and heard it said by many parents referring to their young child.   So, you asked the child not to touch the bookshelf, not to put their fingers in the outlet, not to open Mommy's purse...and you think they don't understand you.  UNTIL.... 

Julie: "Nathan, please put this in the trash can."

Nathan: (walks to me to take the napkin out of my hand, walks to the trash can, opens the lid, puts the napkin inside the trash can, closes the lid, walks back to us and looks at us with a smile on his face)

Brian (to Julie): "Did you point to the trash can?"

Julie: "No."

Brian: "Wow, he understands much more than we think."

Julie: "Yes.  He does."

So, if he is able to put an article in the trash can and you didn't even know that he knew that bin by the back door is called the trash can, do you think he understands not to touch the bookshelf, the outlets and Mommy's purse?!