Delaying preschool because of language issues

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your kid does not have a speech delay at 1. Relax.

So, great expert when do kids have speech delays?

[Anonymous]

40-50 words is not abnormal for a 21 month old. If you're concerned, try doing the developmental assessment the doctors use (which is the same thing early intervention would use) for his age. He isn't expected to have anywhere NEAR that many words. Many kids do, but it's very normal not to. I wouldn't dream of delaying school over that.

- Mom of a speech delayed 21 month old, as well as a very verbal child

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your kid does not have a speech delay at 1. Relax.

So, great expert when do kids have speech delays?

NP. Kids definitely do have speech delays at 1, but what OP is describing is not remotely indicative of one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:40-50 words for a 21 month old is fine and definitely "on track."

Pediatrician told us 50 words is low end for 24 months and he wants to see some word combinations. Seeing how DS speaks now, I just don't see that happening in the next two months.

He has THREE MONTHS until that happens. You're claiming he is on the low end for a 21 month old when your own pediatrician said that would be the low end (but still normal!) for a much older child.

The 4 languages would probably be confusing for ANY kid but what you're describing is not a delay. You could call EI if you're worried but you have to have a 25% delay for services, generally, which you don't have at all.

A lot can happen in 3 months but you also need to adjust your expectations. Or switch doctors.

[Anonymous]

This almost sounds like a humble brag. 50 words and he's barely a year and a half! Four languages!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This almost sounds like a humble brag. 50 words and he's barely a year and a half! Four languages!

Huh? This is OP. He's not a year and a half, he's almost 2, going to be 22 months on the 1st. And he doesn't speak four languages. The nanny and I speak Russian and English. DH speaks only English. DS speaks only English words. We picked the school because it's outdoor and play based, not because they speak Spanish and French. In fact, the immersion part is actually what is making me question sending him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:40-50 words is not abnormal for a 21 month old. If you're concerned, try doing the developmental assessment the doctors use (which is the same thing early intervention would use) for his age. He isn't expected to have anywhere NEAR that many words. Many kids do, but it's very normal not to. I wouldn't dream of delaying school over that.

- Mom of a speech delayed 21 month old, as well as a very verbal child

I don't think it's abnormal, but it is on the low end. Pediatrician said he expects at least that in the next two-three months but ideally wants him combining words. He was on the low end of normal at 18 month checkup as well. This is once again per pediatrician so that's why we are doing the wait and see approach. He is doing fine in other areas so no concern there, I was just worried that introducing more languages into the mix would confuse him even more while he's still trying to figure out English.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:40-50 words for a 21 month old is fine and definitely "on track."

Pediatrician told us 50 words is low end for 24 months and he wants to see some word combinations. Seeing how DS speaks now, I just don't see that happening in the next two months.

He has THREE MONTHS until that happens. You're claiming he is on the low end for a 21 month old when your own pediatrician said that would be the low end (but still normal!) for a much older child.

The 4 languages would probably be confusing for ANY kid but what you're describing is not a delay. You could call EI if you're worried but you have to have a 25% delay for services, generally, which you don't have at all.

A lot can happen in 3 months but you also need to adjust your expectations. Or switch doctors.

Sorry I guess I just didn't see much difference between 22 months, which he will be on the 1st, and 24 months. Ive seen a couple of friends kids who had language explosions and they were mimicking words really well and doing very basic combining like "mama up". DS is not doing any of that yet, which is okay, I'm not super worried, he'll get there. My question was just whether it's smart to send him to a school where they speak 2 more languages because I think it might confuse him even more or whether we should delay a year. Based on some responses, I think we will delay a year and just have him home with me and our nanny for a few hours a week and reapply next spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Send him. Unless he has big behavior issues it can only help.
Unless it's full time day care then I'd tone it down.

You can keep him at the same grade two years in a row if you need.

How much language immersion is involved during the day?
If it's a lot you might want to look at other nursery schools.

There's no English spoke at all, all the teachers are native from France and Spain. It's only 2-3 days a week until 4 years old for a couple of hours a day. There's no grades either, there's just a couple of different groups of kids under 3. It's mostly play based outdoors, so no sitting down in a classroom.

Well, we had friends whose kid was immersed in three languages since infancy. He was very confused verbally until a pretty old age (4?5?) but turned out quite normal and bright.
You might be starting k late but this does not sound like a bad option for a kid.
Especially the outdoors and playing and his friends going there.

What happens after preschool? Do they continue with the languages?

Maybe you should google what child development is like in other countries where they do this kind of multiple language immersion more frequently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Send him. Unless he has big behavior issues it can only help.
Unless it's full time day care then I'd tone it down.

You can keep him at the same grade two years in a row if you need.

How much language immersion is involved during the day?
If it's a lot you might want to look at other nursery schools.

There's no English spoke at all, all the teachers are native from France and Spain. It's only 2-3 days a week until 4 years old for a couple of hours a day. There's no grades either, there's just a couple of different groups of kids under 3. It's mostly play based outdoors, so no sitting down in a classroom.

Well, we had friends whose kid was immersed in three languages since infancy. He was very confused verbally until a pretty old age (4?5?) but turned out quite normal and bright.
You might be starting k late but this does not sound like a bad option for a kid.
Especially the outdoors and playing and his friends going there.

What happens after preschool? Do they continue with the languages?

Maybe you should google what child development is like in other countries where they do this kind of multiple language immersion more frequently.

Yeah, I loved that it was outdoors in a nature center so the kids spend their time looking at turtles and snakes and learning based on being outside. That's what I'm most interested in. Unfortunately I haven't found a great program similiar to that without the languages in our area. For now they continue on to 2nd grade but the director told me they are adding 3rd and 4th grade soon and they are accredited by French ministry of education. Neither DH or I are Spanish or French speakers so I'm honestly not sure how his speaking would progress in those languages outside of school. None of our friends are bilingual so the French or Spanish would be their second language, while for DS it would be third, if he ever wants to speak Russian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Send him. Unless he has big behavior issues it can only help.
Unless it's full time day care then I'd tone it down.

You can keep him at the same grade two years in a row if you need.

How much language immersion is involved during the day?
If it's a lot you might want to look at other nursery schools.

There's no English spoke at all, all the teachers are native from France and Spain. It's only 2-3 days a week until 4 years old for a couple of hours a day. There's no grades either, there's just a couple of different groups of kids under 3. It's mostly play based outdoors, so no sitting down in a classroom.

Well, we had friends whose kid was immersed in three languages since infancy. He was very confused verbally until a pretty old age (4?5?) but turned out quite normal and bright.
You might be starting k late but this does not sound like a bad option for a kid.
Especially the outdoors and playing and his friends going there.

What happens after preschool? Do they continue with the languages?

Maybe you should google what child development is like in other countries where they do this kind of multiple language immersion more frequently.

Yeah, I loved that it was outdoors in a nature center so the kids spend their time looking at turtles and snakes and learning based on being outside. That's what I'm most interested in. Unfortunately I haven't found a great program similiar to that without the languages in our area. For now they continue on to 2nd grade but the director told me they are adding 3rd and 4th grade soon and they are accredited by French ministry of education. Neither DH or I are Spanish or French speakers so I'm honestly not sure how his speaking would progress in those languages outside of school. None of our friends are bilingual so the French or Spanish would be their second language, while for DS it would be third, if he ever wants to speak Russian.

I would just do it. If it goes to 2nd grade and possibly later they'll understand your kids development and he'll be fine.
Honestly it sounds like a Finnish education which is a great thing.

[Anonymous]

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/10/the-joyful-illiterate-kindergartners-of-finland/408325/

http://www.npr.org/2014/03/08/287255411/what-the-u-s-can-learn-from-finland-where-school-starts-at-age-7

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:40-50 words for a 21 month old is fine and definitely "on track."

Pediatrician told us 50 words is low end for 24 months and he wants to see some word combinations. Seeing how DS speaks now, I just don't see that happening in the next two months.

Yes, but there is a big difference between 21 and 24 months. At that age, there is very rapid progress, at least for lots of kids.

[Anonymous]

At most, he is slightly delayed with English, and I don't even think that is the case. But, if he speaks ~40 words in English, how many does he speak in Russian? Does that get you over your threshold? I am no ped, but I don't see why that wouldn't also count.

A friend's kid speaks English with him, Korean with the his Mom (who is a native English speaker and could have chosen to communicate with him in English without issue), and Spanish with the baby sitter. I can tell you they have no regrets, now that he speaks all of them well as a 3 year old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/10/the-joyful-illiterate-kindergartners-of-finland/408325/

http://www.npr.org/2014/03/08/287255411/what-the-u-s-can-learn-from-finland-where-school-starts-at-age-7

I am failing to see a connection between Finish education which starts very late and is monolingual, and pushing two languages on a 22 month old.