Dr. Robert Needlman
Specialist in pediatric behavior and development.
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 Ask Dr. Needlman
Spanish-Speaking Child in English-Speaking Day Care | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Needlman,
My 2½-year-old son will be going to day care for a couple of hours two days a week. I am concerned because he speaks Spanish, not English. Do you think that the language could be a problem for him? How should I manage the first days of school? Should I stay with him at school or let him cry when I leave? Thank you very much for your help.— Lorena in Corpus Christi | | | ANSWER |
October 1, 2001 | | | Dear Lorena ,
Your question shows that you are looking at the world through your child's eyes, which is wonderful when a parent can do it! If your son is used to speaking and listening in Spanish, it could indeed be stressful for him to all of sudden find himself in a place where he no longer understands, nor can make himself understood.
Ideally, there should be someone at the childcare center who speaks Spanish, at least enough to communicate with your son. (Have you checked? Do you know that this is not the case?)
If there is not, then I think it makes sense for you to plan to spend perhaps more time helping your son feel comfortable than you otherwise might. You might, for example, teach the child-care provider some simple Spanish, so he or she can communicate with your son. At the same time, he will see that you and the provider are getting along, and that will help him to feel more comfortable with the provider.
Young children are very quick to pick up second languages when they are immersed in them, so it won't take your son long before he can make his needs known in English. But you are right to want to help make the transition as smooth as it can be. Getting off to a good start is important.
Our site has more to say about helping young children handle the first separation from their parents. See the preschool articles for some more hints.
You are emotionally "connected" with your child, it seems, so if you follow your instincts, you will surely do the right thing.— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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