Anonymous wrote: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?

Young children aren't confused by multiple languages *in general*. If your particular child has language delays, that's something else, but for a neurotypical child that would not be an issue. Multiple languages DO cause smaller vocabularies in EACH language but that works itself out in time.

We speak Arabic and Russian at home, sent DS for a time to a bilingual English/Russian preschool since 16 months, and he had no difficulty picking up English and switching between three languages effortlessly depending on circumstances.

So the answer to your question is no, multiple languages will not slow down your son's language; if he is slow with acquiring words, then it's not because of multiple languages. *In general*, being around other children and caregivers stimulates language development.

I am curious about the French/Spanish immersion. How exactly does this work out? French one day and Spanish the next day? You should make sure that you and the school mean the same things by "immersion". So many times preschools bandy about the word immersion about when what they mean is "presence of another language." A true immersion program means all language all the time.

Anonymous wrote:NP here. It looks like everyone is discussing his expressive language ability - 40-50 words expressively in English only. There has been no discussion of his receptive language ability, which refers to his ability to understand speech.

OP said early on that his ability to follow directions is growing every day, and gave an example of some pretty complex directions that he can follow. It doesn't sound like there are concerns in that area.

I feel torn on what to advise here, because I feel as though preschool before 2 really only serves the purpose of giving the child a safe happy place to be when parents or other caregivers are unavailable*, and so I'd advocate the nanny. I also think that 9 hours divided between 2 languages isn't going to be enough to gain the benefits of immersion.

But on the other hand, I think her child sounds very typical, and if this is the program she would otherwise choose, i don't see the language concern as a reason to change that.

*Before I get jumped all over for this, I'm going to say that my kid went to daycare, and it was fine. I don't think daycare is a bad thing and if OP wasn't saying that she already had a nanny she was happy with, I'd feel different.

Anonymous wrote:Why don't you call your county's early intervention program and have him properly assessed and they can give you advice on what to do. It doesn't sound like he is that behind to me, but if your concerned that is the best step to take. For example here is fairfax county's info http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/csb/itc/early-intervention.htm

She can call and they'll do an initial screening, but as someone who just went through this with a similarly aged child, there is 0 chance she'll qualify for the full assessment unless she's left something out.

Why don't you call your county's early intervention program and have him properly assessed and they can give you advice on what to do. It doesn't sound like he is that behind to me, but if your concerned that is the best step to take. For example here is fairfax county's info http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/csb/itc/early-intervention.htm

NP here. It looks like everyone is discussing his expressive language ability - 40-50 words expressively in English only. There has been no discussion of his receptive language ability, which refers to his ability to understand speech.

If he's understanding what is said to him in both Russian and English, then I wouldn't worry about having fewer expressive words. Children learning multiple languages often take longer to develop their expressive language, when it's not necessarily a delay per se.

OP, you'll have to make a decision regarding whether this particular preschool is the right fit for your child. If you worry at all for his safety in the program, then I would say that you shouldn't send him. If you're just looking at the program as a way to play with the friends he already has more and not really looking to get anything out of the program itself, then you might as well send him. If you want him to learn French and Spanish (or at least be exposed to them) in addition to Russian and English, then why not send him? If you don't want him exposed to French and Spanish yet, then maybe you shouldn't send him.

Another option is to post on this forum what you're looking for in an ideal school. Maybe an outdoor-based or farm-based part-time preschool for 2-year-olds that teaches in English or Russian in a specific geographic area? That's what it sounds like you're ideally looking for, from what I've gathered here.

OP, EI would use the ages and stages questionnaire to evaluate. There is a new one for every couple of months of age. I would suggest you look at that and see if your kid is really delayed.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I'm assuming you are a FTM and your pediatrician hasn't explained anything to you very well and that's why you are confused, but there is a HUGE difference between 21-24 months in language development for most kids. Huge

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Once again. It is on the low end for TWENTY FOUR MONTHS. Not for the age he is now. I would suggest you ask your ped what tool they are using to evaluate, because he would NOT be found on the low end based on the tools speech pathologists use, unless you're leaving details out.

OP, your son is doing fine! Send him! He will not be fluent in any language much longer than his peers who only speak English, but in the long run he will be fine. There are countries in Europe where kids are learning 3-4 languages from birth ( think Belgium, Switzerland). We also speak 2 languages at home, and it may seem to English speakers that DS is behind speechwise, but he has similar level of fluency in 2nd language and easily switches between them. He is 3. I have no doubt he will catch up by K.