As she hopped in the car after school yesterday, she proudly announced: "I can
scrive ape! I can
scrive ape! I learned it today." (I can write "bee.") Excitement & joy over school is a relief for us. Pride in being able to write something in Italian is even better . . . On Monday when she woke up she told us that her "mouth is not ready to speak Italian all day long." In the car on the ride in on Wednesday she told us, with her five-year-old self: "You just don't even understand what it feels like." (She's absolutely correct.)
Each day it gets better for her. "I can
scrive ape," is a milestone as far as I'm concerned.
I'm working on more chances for her to speak Italian in environments outside of
asilo & the back yard. This afternoon the dance class (with the Italians, not the Americans) begins; keep your fingers crossed.
9 comments:
I've been here three years and I still feel that my mouth isn't ready to speak Italian all day long! But children are so resilient and they learn languages easily. It's wonderful that she's starting to adjust and find joy in this new experience.
Keeping fingers crossed here. I hope they'll have nice music and fun dancing to help her get involved and be less conscious of the language! You're doing well, Dana.
fingers crossed... what a lovely shot!
So glad she is having those moments of joy and accomplishment. Dance class sounds like a good option. We are considering signing Noah up for soccer in-town. Unlike Camille, he doesn't have many opportunities to hear Italian on a regular basis. I think it's great that your daughter is in the local school system.
Whohoo! I'm so proud of her! Kris
I am really just relieved that she wakes up eager to go to school each day. We have been a bit guilty of clearly defining the two worlds we live in, and see the need to make a change for her benefit . . . hence the commitment to seek out opportunities for her. Dance class was good, different, but good.
I am so glad she had a happy moment! Some ways we have helped our children is through books on tape, DVD in the foreign language, and playdates with children that speak the language. Before you know it she will be fluent!
The thing is. . . .she is fluent. She was born in this country & has had full time Italian caregivers since she was a year old. She is just anxious about it.
I'm with KC! Three years... and still not ready. She'll be so much better off than us, though - learning so young. My fingers are crossed!
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