Delaying preschool because of language issues

[Anonymous]

DS got into a great preschool starting in August. It's outdoor play based and in a nature center for 3 days a week. All of his little friends will be going as well. The only problem is that he's on the very low end for speech (around 40-50 words max) and still doesn't seem close to combining 2 words, which we were going to bring up at his 2 year checkup in October. This school is French and Spanish immersion. I'm torn now about sending him since I worry that'll slow down his language even more. We already speak Russian and English at home. Should I hold him back one more year and just focus on allowing his language to develop?

[Anonymous]

Don't wait until October. Ask now for a screening. There may be a play-based preschool that's great with kids with mild speech lags.

[Anonymous]

It seems like a preschool with a focus on English language might be beneficial. From my perspective, you might further confuse him by introducing French and Spanish at this point. Can you do a more traditional preschool this year, and then switch to the play based/nature center next year?

[Anonymous]

So he's only one? I would wait for sure. Not combing words, give him until he is 2. It's a 2 year old milestone.

[Anonymous]

He doesn't turn two until October? He's fine. Being around more talkers - whatever languages - will be beneficial, but no rush on worrying about delays or preschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So he's only one? I would wait for sure. Not combing words, give him until he is 2. It's a 2 year old milestone.

He's 21 months. He was on track but low end, about 15 words or so, at 18 month appointment so pediatrician is taking a wait and see approach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't wait until October. Ask now for a screening. There may be a play-based preschool that's great with kids with mild speech lags.

Pediatrician said at 18 month appointment to wait until he's 2. Husband wanted to wait as well since insurance won't cover speech therapy without referral.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like a preschool with a focus on English language might be beneficial. From my perspective, you might further confuse him by introducing French and Spanish at this point. Can you do a more traditional preschool this year, and then switch to the play based/nature center next year?

That's my worry as well. I think we are out of luck in terms of 2-3 day programs in our area, applications were due in early Spring and we just found out we are off of the wait list for the current school. We have a great Russian speaking nanny and I guess I'll just keep him home with her until he starts talking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He doesn't turn two until October? He's fine. Being around more talkers - whatever languages - will be beneficial, but no rush on worrying about delays or preschool.

Yes, early October. I worry though it'll be extremely confusing for him since he doesn't even speak English yet and there's almost no English spoken at all at this school- all the teachers are native speakers.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

PP here who commented that he might be confused by too many languages. My brother's children speak two languages at home. They also live in a foreign country and attend schools/daycare where a third a language is spoken. As a result, they have been slower to speak and take off with reading/writing. My father (the grandfather) thinks it is just too many languages for their brains to process. My brother and his wife aren't concerned at all and they think exposure to multiple languages will benefit them in the long run. If I were in your situation, I would probably delay this particular school (or try seeking out a new place that has a last minute availability). However, I wouldn't necessarily be concerned about his languages delays generally. He will get there eventually. A little girl in my daughter's school speaks Chinese at home and was very slow with English. She seems to have really taken off this year since turning 2.5 and is speaking just as well as the other kids. I think it can just take some time once you start introducing multiple languages.

[Anonymous]

Even without the possible speech delay I'm not sure this would be a good idea since that would be four languages that he would be exposed to on a regular basis. I think that would be confusing for any kid.

[Anonymous]

OP, learning other languages or more than one at a time DOES NOT cause speech delays. If your kid is on the lower end of word acquisition, get speech therapy, but don't let that put you off sending him to a bi-lingual preschool. It sounds like a great program.

[Anonymous]

If it makes you feel any better, my DS will be 2 in November, also doesn't have a huge number of words (I haven't counted but I'd be surprised if it were 50), and we are sending him to a full time day care that's about 50/50 Spanish/English in September. We don't really have a choice to keep him home, and the day care was our top choice of the ones we visited based on other priorities, so it is what it is...can''t make a recommendation for you one way or the other, just mentioning that you're not the only one.