Ollie's first day at creche/nursery

[rachaelmae]

aww bless him

[bevvsedge]

apparantly today he was better again. He was showing off a few more dance moves and making all the teachers giggle. They said he has to be told off a little as when he finishes his own food he ties to take the others. But I guess he will learn with time. hehe

She also said he seems to understand when they talk to him so I must be doing ok at teaching him a little Flemish after all!

[Logan s Mum]

Aw that's so good he is doing so well! I still haven't been allowed to leave Logan for the full two hours yet, they take it pretty slow here! The last two times he didn't cry at all didn't even notice I was gone but I sill have to leave for an hour and a half on Thu and if that goes well then I get to leave him for the two hours next Mon (He started at start of Oct!).

That's interesting to know they start school as early as 2 1/2 in Belgium! Here in Germany Kindergarten is 3 and the equivalent of primary school doesn't start till 6 or maybe even 7!! You as parents decide when your child is ready!! xo

[bevvsedge]

Originally Posted by Logan s Mum

That's interesting to know they start school as early as 2 1/2 in Belgium! Here in Germany Kindergarten is 3 and the equivalent of primary school doesn't start till 6 or maybe even 7!! You as parents decide when your child is ready!! xo

Formal primary school learnig e.g. sitting at a desk doesn't start til age 6, but they learn through play until then. Apparantly the Belgian schools have a very good reputation.

p.s.

Also apparantly if you are going to introduce your child to another language it is best to do that before they are three as they pick it up most effectively before that age.

[SephiesMum]

Pre school is compulsory here in Spain at 3 and learning is structured as well as through play. Primary school begins at 6.

They do seem to get to grips with the language pretty quickly, I had a meeting the other week at Joseph's nursery and they say he pretty much gets all of what they are saying and can now ask for water and say hello in Catalan, not bad considering he's been quite slow with his speech in English.

Only thing I would add is that everything I've read about bi-lingual toddlers says that unless you can speak the second language fluently you should only speak in your mother tongue to the child as they will get more confused, they will pick up the second language better and more quickly if they are only hearing from people who speak it all the time, IYGMD.

[bevvsedge]

I've heard so many different things regarding that. I was told that the best thing is that is you start a sentence in a langiage keep it to that language and don't mix up words. I do use certain flemish words with Ollie and read books to him as my pronunciation is good, I just need to build on my vocab.

Ollie does speak a few words and seems understand a little too. The teachers are quite impressed with him already.

[wagonmonkey]

I think I'd be a wreck! You all handled it very well. Glad to hear that Ollie is enjoying it!

[rhianwen]

aww sounds like he hada fab time and you handled it very well hugs xxx

[charlala]

Hi!
Sounds like he had a great time. My little one starts nursery next month and i'm dreading it!!!! Hope it goes well....for me as well as her!

[Logan s Mum]

Originally Posted by SephiesMum

Only thing I would add is that everything I've read about bi-lingual toddlers says that unless you can speak the second language fluently you should only speak in your mother tongue to the child as they will get more confused, they will pick up the second language better and more quickly if they are only hearing from people who speak it all the time, IYGMD.

Yes I heard that too! One of the nursery teachers said hubby should speak to Logan in German all the time but he's not keen as he's not a native speaker and also Logan's so used to speaking to him in English. He'll pick it up in his own time, they all will! Logan's already understanding instructions in German like sit down or wash your hands. Yesterday he pointed at the fire engine in his Fireman Sam mag and said 'feuerwehr'! Actually means fire service but he got the idea right!!