Cindi Simmonds (January 9, 2012) - Ah...the beginning of a new semester. Thankfully, my kids have inherited my love of beginnings . . . they were so excited to return to Language Stars last week. In fact, judging by their excitement, one would think that they had been off Language Stars for two months, not two weeks. Nick is a bit like Tigger, of Winnie-the-Pooh fame, when he is excited he literally bounces. Both Nick and Katie were giddy with excitement as they waited in the toy area for a glimpse of their teacher. What I noticed, as a “seasoned” parent, was the new faces—parents with children in tow. The parents appeared nervous and the children “hid” behind mom or dad and clung to their legs. I chuckled, on the inside only, because I remember my first experience at Language Stars a bit too well.
Nick was 18 months old and I was 7 months pregnant with Katie when we came in for a trial Parent-Tot Mandarin class. Nick had a great time, but I felt completely clueless! Everyone else (including the tots) seemed to know exactly what was happening in class while I acted as if I knew what we were supposed to do next. I now realize that “feeling clueless” is common for new parents and offer the following advice, as a veteran “Language Stars Mom.”
First, relax and enjoy! Your child will do fine in class, have fun, and learn in the process. Excitement is contagious but so is anxiety! If you have fun (especially if you are in class with your child) and are excited for class to begin, your child will be too. Even if your child does not appear to be paying attention in class, believe me, they are soaking up the information. I was in Parent-Tot classes with Katie for almost a year before she began to spontaneously use Mandarin. I was beginning to wonder if I was wasting my money because she never appeared to be paying attention and would barely talk in class. Then, in a single day, she used two Mandarin words—without any prompting. She pointed to the butterfly on her shirt, “Look mom, it’s a húdié” (Mandarin-butterfly). Húdié—really! I was so excited—she was paying attention. Later than same day she requested some “Yu” (Mandarin-fish) for a snack. So, relax and make the experience enjoyable! Second, prepare yourself! Your child will probably pick up the new language a lot faster than you will. I was in Parent-Tot classes for a total of three years (with both Nick and Katie) and probably have the Mandarin vocabulary of a 14-month old Chinese toddler! I can count, recite my colors, name a few animals and ask for water, a plate, a cup and gold fish crackers. I figure if we ever take our kids to China—a dream of my husband’s and mine—the kids will translate for us!
Third, if you think you are going to continue in class, buy the Language Stars CD. My kids love it. I’ve written several blogs about the songs on the CD and how Nick and Katie love to sing them. It is definitely a worthwhile investment. It’s also great fun to have your children sing “Happy Birthday” in another language at family birthday gatherings. The kids also really enjoy “Muzzy,” a BBC production that can be borrowed from your local library. It is available in several languages. We borrowed the entire series in Mandarin about a year ago. The last time we went to the library, Nick requested that we check-out Muzzy in Spanish. He loves that Muzzy eats clocks! Last, breathe! Enrolling your children in Language Stars classes is giving them a gift they will have for a lifetime—one that they will not outgrow, cannot break, and cannot be taken away. You may seem intimidated at first –I was—but for your children, it’s just another place to have fun. Be excited—and they will be too!
Here’s to new beginnings! Happy New Year!
Cindi
