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Expert Q&A
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| By Mindy Hudon Speech and Language Pathologist | ||
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We just transitioned my daughter, who is 3, into preschool and are concerned about her not talking to her teachers and peers. We suspect that it may be that she is very shy and/or she is adjusting to being in a strictly English-language environment since we mostly speak a foreign language at home. Although we speak a foreign language at home I had purposely taught her basic English like alphabet, counting, shapes, foods, etc., in an effort to prep her for school and she was speaking and understanding the basics before she entered school. She had also been exposed to the English language by hearing us speak English to others outside the home, she herself had "communicated" in English with her cousins, she watched and understood TV in English, etc. There are some gaps in vocabulary but she speaks in English, understands English – she speaks constantly at home but will not speak at school. What do you recommend I do to help her break out of this? Is it likely that she will improve on her own?
If your child is talking in both languages well at home, then you may be right that she just could be shy. I would suggest talking to the classroom teachers and seeing what they suggest. Some children are just quiet in unfamiliar environments. I would be more concerned if she wasn't talking at all, but from what you described it appears that she is developing well and you are conscientious about exposing her to both languages. Another suggestion is that you could spend sometime with her in the classroom and help encourage her to talk with friends and staff. If she feels that you are there, she may be more willing to talk to others with your guidance.
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