Bilingual Babies
By Letty • August 4, 2022
Twelve years ago I decided to change my job from an English as a Second Language teacher to simply working at a department store childcare room, basically for better hours and benefits. My charges were preschoolers, and to my surprise, many of these 2-4 year old children knew no English at all because shoppers at the store were families of employees at an international company with headquarters nearby. I found myself teaching English to preschoolers! Two experiences were unforgettably moving for me - they came from a couple of little girls.
One child was about 3 yrs-old when she came to the playroom. She was shy and nervous, having recently come from Mexico and speaking only Spanish. However, I knew some Spanish, so we enjoyed time playing together while she listened to English-speaking children around her. Eventually she attended a local preschool and became fluent in English. One day she came to the playroom and sweetly said to me, “Teacher, remember when I called you ‘maestra’?” Her bright eyes were filled with confidence!
The other child was also 3 yrs-old when she came to the playroom that was filled with blocks, crayons and paper, tea sets, etc. She had no friends in the town because her family had just moved from another state;and she only spoke Russian. We played with blocks and made a man with a red block for the “mouth” and a block for the “nose”, and we put “food” into his mouth, like a red block for an “apple”, a green block for “salad”, etc. She went to preschool later on, also, and became excellent at speaking English! Then one day…after a long time away…she came into the playroom and said to me, “Let’s play blocks!” And she wanted to build the man again, and to give him food. From these children I learned to let extreme discomfort and the massive need for learning become a springboard for joy and growth.
PREVIOUS STORY NEXT STORY SHARE YOUR STORY
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
A Husky Was Lost. Owners Found Him With A Drone - Hanging Out With Bears
Dog Completely Changes From Black To White
Cat's Face Shows Opposite Of Gratitude After Being Rescued
A First Birthday Reunion Party For The Whole Litter, Mama Pup Included
This Senior Dog Sanctuary Celebrated 12 Years With A Dog Prom
Local Police Department Makes Public Statement To Community On Taylor Swift's New Album
Man And Dog Left Stunned After Cat FLIES Across The Room
The Cat Chooses You: A Boy's Heartwarming Shelter Adoption Story
'Thing Kept Attacking Me': Squirrel Defends Man's Home From Burglar
Dog's Hilarious Windshield Wiper Chase Captured By Motorist
Owner Purrfectly Captures Cat's Two Opposite Personalities In Viral Video