New DCG/Language Barrier

[Sunshine74]

We have a new DCG (around 2 1/2yrs) who started in our room at the end of last week. We discovered quickly that she speaks only Spanish, and understands very little English. When I talked with DCD at pick up, he said, "She will pick it up quickly." And that was about it because he was rushing out the door to pick up his SA sons at school. He does speak English to her when they are at daycare.

She has been incredibly easy-going, go with the flow, so far. Today was her second day. She gets a little upset at nap, but if someone sits next to her, she is ok.

Right now we are communicating to her mostly with gestures, and the small amount of Spanish I know. I mean, we are talking to her, of course, but she really doesn't know what we are saying at this point.

I am rambling a bit, and I'm not sure exactly where I am going with all this. I guess I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions to help us help her with the language? I can't imagine how lost she feels sometimes.

Also, is anyone willing to translate a few phrases to Spanish so that we can communicate with her better?

[Mom2TLE]

Maybe a picture schedule so she knows what is next, and I could translate whatever you need.

[coolconfidentme]

Does the parents want DC to teach her English???

[midaycare]

Talk about immersion! She will pick it up, and probably faster than you think.

[NightOwl]

I was in this situation once. When she said a word we recognized, like, roho (sp?), we would say, "see! Roho! Red!" because roho means red in English. Idk if it was the most effective way to communicate, but it seemed to help her pick up English, at least somewhat.

[Blackcat31]

Do you have an i-phone or i-pad available to you?

There are several really good translator apps. There is also a lot of fun Spanish-English learning apps too!

Otherwise I would go with the suggestion from Mom2LTE and use picture cards with her and just continue repeating simple words for each activity/need and she WILL eventually pick it up.

They say a child's mind is so much more open to learning language under age 5 than anyone ever is.

Good luck! Keep us posted as to how she is doing!

[Unregistered]

I have a fair amount of experience with 2 year olds who don't speak English. I do not consider myself an expert, but here is what I think from my experience:
Their brains truly are wired for language learning, and because most providers are good at using facial expressions and gestures as they speak, because they care for kids at different developmental levels, the non-English-speaking kids seem to pick up pretty easily from the context of what's going on.

If she doesn't seem frustrated, don't over-think it. Just be aware that there may be moments where she doesn't quite know what's going on, and accommodate that by leading her or helping her to do what you're asking.

Most likely, the naptime crying is either just a normal part of her adjustment to the new place, or she is letting out the stress caused by working so hard to understand. That's the time to provide support, just like you would for any new child at that time, and it sounds like you already are doing that by simply sitting by her.
Try to use the same language for the same requests, like, Come to the table, Time for lunch, Let's go outside, Put it in here, that type of thing. It will help her to know what's expected if she hears the same phrases regularly, and it builds her understanding.

When you feel that she's comfortable being there, do some gentle tests of her understanding, within the group setting. Play games relating to colors, or inside-outside-under-above concepts. You know the stuff - cognitive concepts. See if she will answer, and give her feedback (smile! she will understand that) for even trying. It will help you to see where she's at (she may understand more than you think) and will also build her understanding and vocabulary.
Free play, lots of free play, whether it's outdoors or indoors.

She's barely more than a toddler, and you know how toddlers play - they don't necessarily use a lot of words. But the others will be talking and because there is a context, she will start to understand. This is where she is most likely to speak spontaneously, in my experience.
Hope any of this helps you and her. A lot of it, you just do what comes naturally with a group of young children.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I started a 2.5-year-old who only spoke Spanish a couple of months ago. It took about 7-8 weeks to fully transition her in since Abuela/Grandma took care of her (LOTS of tears, screaming, etc.).

She is now saying various things and says all of our standard phrases (Please stop, handwashing song, good morning song, etc.) in addition to knowing what we are asking of her in English now (Please sit down, please come here, lunch time, potty time, time to wash our hands, etc.).

[midaycare]

I have friends who recently moved here from a Spanish speaking country. About 9 weeks ago. Their dd, age 5, is speaking almost perfectly now. Children really are wired for language.

[SignMeUp]

Songs help a lot, just like they help toddlers acquire language. Sing to her, with her, and with the group. It's less intimidating to sing with a group too, than to speak by yourself.

[TickleMonster]

We have had this happen before. To make her feel more comfortable, there are websites that translate languages. If you have a microphone for your computer, you say the phrase into the microphone and the website will translate it into Spanish and say it back for you. Take the phrase like "Time for lunch" Translate it for the child but also make sure you repeat it in English a few times as well and slowly the child will learn English too. Good luck!

[TheGoodLife]

I was an ESL teacher before I started my daycare. If you want to use picture cards and label common things around the daycare, that would be great. If you have an older child who could be her "buddy" sometimes- ask them to help talk to her a lot and show her around. Do as much talking to her as possible, read a lot of great picture books- at this age, she will learn VERY quickly! Don't be afraid to ask her questions so she can get used to the language. I'm not sure if it's easy to use on a phone, but google translate is a great resource. Type in what you want in English and it will translate. And vise verse. Depending on her exact dialect it may or may not be very accurate, but it's a great way to translate. Gestures, body language, actions- they all help too! Good luck!