Spanish Speaking dcb

[NoMoreJuice!]

I just finished up an interview with the nicest parents and their adorable 18 month son. He was a typical 18 month old, into everything, . My only concern was that the dad didn't speak a lot of English, and the little boy speaks Spanish only. He's never heard English, but his parents want to immerse him while he's young to make the transition to school easier. I really admire them for that, and I agree that it would make it easier for the little guy. Mom is a translator for our local school district.

My question to all of you is: have you been in this situation before, and did it all work out ok? I'm so worried that the little guy and I wouldn't be able to communicate at all for awhile, which would frustrate everyone. The mom said she would give me a list of common words translated, but I'm so unsure. Advice please?

[TXhomedaycare]

I had a dcb that only spoke Arabic and he was about 18 months old. Within a few weeks he was counting and singing the alphabet in English and understood me very well. There were some cultural differences with the family that made it interesting but as far as the little boy it worked out fine. I will say that he was a very open and happy child who was willing to try new things and had a great attitude. I only say this because his family referred another boy who was 2 almost 3 yo and he was very difficult but he was also more set in his ways and was a mamas boy to a degree that I think was hindering him (was still breast feeding and had never been to daycare).

[Febby]

One of my old centers had a lot of children who spoke little to no English when they started. They usually initially wandered around looking clueless for the first bit (more so than normal), but the language barrier usually isn't too bad. The younger they are, the easier it is.

[AuntTami]

I agre, the younger they are, the more they absorb and learn without even really trying.

At 18 months, he hasn't developed a full vocabulary in any language yet, so throwing him into English now is perfect timing. He doesn't have to try to "unlearn" anything nor does he know all the messed up things in the English language. Lol.

It's hard for adults to learn foreign languages because English is SO backwards and screwed up compared to any other language. There are "rules" that aren't even rules, more like suggestions(like I before e except after c, there's only a small number of words that this rule actually applies to )

[Sunshine74]

We've had many children throughout the years that I've worked at my center attend knowing little to no English. Definitely the younger they are, the easier they adapt.

Is he going to be full or part time? Right now we have a dcg who just turned 3 who spoke almost all Chinese when she started at about 2 1/2. She is only pt (3 days) so it took her a little longer to adjust than it would have if she came every day. But now she's doing great, and her dad is very pleased at how her English is progressing.

[DaveA]

Dealt with it a few times- it's worked out fine. There is definitely an adjustment period but nothing too bad. Like the PPs said kids pick up language much easier than adults.

[Laurel]

When I worked in a preschool we had a boy who was 3 and only spoke Chinese. He was the sweetest little guy but the kids couldn't understand him so they tended to avoid him sometimes and he couldn't understand them. The parents wanted him to be bilingual so the solution that worked was that at home one parent spoke Chinese and the other parent spoke exclusively English. That worked. The same thing also worked for a family we had that wanted their child to be bilingual with French. When mom dropped him off she spoke to him in French all the time but mostly he answered in English. It might be harder for your child if he hears 'only' Spanish at home.

That said, I agree with the others that it is a good time to expose him at his age.

Laurel

[Indoorvoice]

I used to teach special education and several of my 6-8 year old students with special needs (many had profound disabilities) spoke different languages at home than at school and did just fine in my English speaking classroom. Yes, it's definitely hard and different at first, but even kids with special needs can adapt. It's amazing how much they absorb when they're young.

[NoMoreJuice!]

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate all the wisdom! I feel much better. They were going to interview many more daycares, so we'll see what happens. Thanks again!

[Thriftylady]

I agree go about your day with him, talk to him as normal. It will be an adjustment but in a couple of weeks, I bet you notice him picking up some English!

[AmyKidsCo]

I'd definitely go for it! Think about how much (little) 18 mo olds speak as it is. It would be harder if he was older, but I think this is the perfect time to start.

[Lperry2124]

I think its a good idea! its be a great learning for all when i worked at a center living in florida we had a set of brothers one pre-school and one a one in a half year old and they spoke all Spanish however by them being around the other children they started to pick up English and the pre-school class even learned a little Spanish from there new friend It will be hard at first but diversity is good