[DK615617]

Here is an odd question.
I would love for Tiffany to learn another language. But, I don't know one. (well I know a lot of German words, I just stink at the whole structuring the sentences properly)
I had a friend tell me that her child took Chinese lessons from a lady as a young child. And that going once a week, adn watching videos and cds worked and he was learning it. Now, I am not doubting her. I think that sounds logical. Kids are sponges.
Do you think that it would be beneficial for me to try to do that with Tiffany. How early would you start trying to teach, she is 15 months. I don't want to be a mother that is pushing stuff on my kids, especially this early. But, I don't want to miss the window of time where it would be easy for her to learn 2 languages.
What do you think. Am I nuts?
My dad speaks Polish fluently, (as he is from Poland) or I have a friend that is German. But wear I live Spanish would be a great thing to know.....
I should also say that I am a bit of a freak, and she isn't alloud to watch any tv yet. Not even educational stuff. I think under 2 they don't need that yet. (just my opinion)

[Alejandros Mommy]

I think it is a great thing for a child to learn a second language. DH is bilingual he knows French and English and I know Spanish and English.

BUT if you don't know the language that may confuse your child even more. If you are thinking about Spanish try a few words at a time. Things that are common in her day to day life. Such as when she wakes up you could say "buenas dias" instead of good morning. Simple things like that Then you can both learn together.

[wanttobemommy]

i plan on teaching jaxon to sign. they have a free website i can find a link if you want it where it teaches you everything from the abc's which i already know and then signs for simple things like sit and more. We learned a lot of sign language when my sister had her oldest. He wasnt talking or making noises and failed to respond to hearing tests like loud noises in a room or clapping behind him. I know that sign language isnt a neccesity but it is good to know. Where I am working at now we have some people who are deaf and mute so it has helped me say things to them to help them calm themselves down or figure out what is wrong. I work with people with developmental disabilities.

[twinzplus3]

I think that unless there is a fluent speaker in the house, starting a child out that young in foreign language is a lesson in futility if you want a child who actually speaks the language. When she gets old enough to watch Nick Jr. (I'm right there with you on the no t.v. thing.) then she can watch Dora and will actually pick up quite a bit--but until then I wouldn't worry about it.

I know everyone says that you learn languages young but actually, what you learn easily is the accent. ( Personally, I think the people who put that idea out there are those who want to sell you foreign language programs.) It is very, very difficult to teach a child a foreign language when no one in the home speaks it. (Signing by the way is different. . . )

In order for your child to actually learn to speak the language--you need to to--Lessly hit it right on the head. . .do with your child what you yourself are willing to learn.

I've actually written about this quite a bit in both the baby blog and the homeschooling blog. I'll see if I can find links.

[MiaCamille]

i agree with Val the child has to be in daily contact with the person who speaks the other language i speak both english and french and my 2 oldest are pretty good and now i'm teaching my youngest dd.

[twinzplus3]

My own children speak Spanish moderately well to varying degrees but it's bc I speak it and they hear it constantly in the neighborhood. They can't even order fries at McDonald's without knowing how to say it in Spanish. . .they can't play with peers (at least my preschoolers) without knowing some Spanish, etc. At the laundromat where my oldest two come to help--all in Spanish. If they need change, or to get by, it has to be spoken in Spanish. But it's daily exposure to native/fluent speakers that does the trick. Unless you're the mom that's super committed to learning the language along side of them.

[ruthann8]

"If you don't use it you lose it" That is what my Spanish teacher always said. And after years of Spanish in high school and college I don't remember a thing! You could spend time and money to teach her but unless there is someone that fluently speaks it with her regularly she will loose it. I would wait until she was older. She may end up having a few friends that speak Spanish. I have a cousin that has Spanish speaking friends and he has learned to speak it very well. He is currently taking Spanish in high school but he is having a hard time because he can't spell it!

[mommy2067]

Ditto to all the info provided already...just like to add to what Kristin said about the signing...I think it is a great tool when the kids are pre-verbal (although all those cooing and noises they make are communications in their own right!!!) b/c it allows you (and others) to communicate with baby using non-verbal cues...babies seem to respond well to sign language for the most part and it limits the frustrations that baby may feel when asking for something or wanting to tell you something...they may not have the spoken word yet available to them but they can sign the message to you...speaking the word/message while signing reinforces the communication too for later when they do begin to talk....I didn't have this knowledge back when my oldest were young...but I am hoping to implement signs when we do have a baby this time round...Good luck if you decide to give it a go with Tiffany....

p.s.-I know some people who made up their own signs for certain things and used ASL for more common things...

[DK615617]

Thank you all for your responces. I do agree with you.
I am however willing to learn along with her. (If I can get any of it to sink in!!!)
She sees my dad almost every day. Or at least 5 times a week. So I am half tempted to have him and my mom speak only Polish to her. But unles she goes to Poland there isn't much she could do with that.
Is there any truth in what people say that if you know 2 languages it is easy to learn a 3rd?
I agree though, maybe I am the one who needs the lessons!

[DK615617]

Originally Posted by Jaxons_mommy

i plan on teaching jaxon to sign. they have a free website i can find a link if you want it where it teaches you everything from the abc's which i already know and then signs for simple things like sit and more. We learned a lot of sign language when my sister had her oldest. He wasnt talking or making noises and failed to respond to hearing tests like loud noises in a room or clapping behind him. I know that sign language isnt a neccesity but it is good to know. Where I am working at now we have some people who are deaf and mute so it has helped me say things to them to help them calm themselves down or figure out what is wrong. I work with people with developmental disabilities.

Thank you! If you have links I would love to check it out.
I have a book about signing, and I am going to start teaching her some signing. That would be so helpful.