A Tri-Lingual Upbringing - Unexpected Developments
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October 3rd, 2008
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As many know, we're raising our kids tri-lingually. We speak three languages at home which our kids have picked up easily. Three languages is no big deal but development can initially be a little slower verbally and there are more plateaus and spurts. And since we're dealing with small children, don't forget the occasional challenge. Like last week while doing a hearing test at the hospital. Turns out readings aren't really what they should be and our daughter has a possible hearing deficiency. We don't believe so but doctors say she might be a candidate for a hearing aid.
It's interesting to see how parents deal with adversity. You know, when things don't go exactly as planned. Some complain, cry, and feel sorry for themselves and desperately want their kids diagnosed with something (like ADHD, but that's another story). Others call their kids "handicapped" even though diagnosis is doubtful at best.
Personally, I like the approach of seeing things as a challenge instead. To stay upbeat, positive, and go on with things as normal. Especially when our challenge IMHO really is no big deal. It is after all 2008 and not 1958. I would never call my children handicapped regardless of their situation.
The funny thing about Annika's possible hearing problem is her remarkable development. She's learning three languages and is still ahead of most kids learning one language. She's talking like crazy and learning so many new words each and every day. In three languages. This is unusual, tri-lingual kids often have slower verbal development the first few years. Our situation is even more strange, she's learning incredibly fast despite having a possible hearing deficiency which we have not noticed.
Noticing hearing problems among toddler can be tough. Does your child sometimes not do what you say? Or perhaps pretend like she's not hearing what you just said? Annika does have what I call "selective hearing", sometimes she doesn't follow orders. But I have a feeling we're not the only ones occasionally having to ask our kids 3 times to please wash their hands or pick up toys.
Further tests will be done shortly but I'm as calm as one could be. Even if she has a hearing problem, it would be easy to deal with. It's funny to see the difference between our older son and Annika. She might have a hearing problem but is still at least 6 months ahead verbally compared to where Daniel was at this age.
It's once again a great reminder that all kids are different and like to develop at a pace they find comfortable.
Glad to see you guys are keeping such a cool head about it. Not that I am surprised. :) You may as well start throwing in a little sign language as her fourth language. It actually helps tie together the other three “verbal” languages and helps kids pick up the meanings faster. Our kids still use the signs for “please” and “more” and several others as part of their everyday language use.