The joys of translanguaging

Yesterday, my little one sat down at the table and said "Mummy, I need a prat". I've been enjoying hearing her stop-gap responses to language she can't remember, but this time I thought it best to offer her the appropriate word."Would you like a plate?""A prate?""A plate""No, I need a prat". She has been problem-solving … Continue reading The joys of translanguaging

New language – shape, sound and word association

I bought a book for my daughter around about the time she turned one. It was £1.99 from the British Heart Foundation and called '1000 Words and Pictures'. She can lift and carry it by herself now that she's getting on for four. This week when we were reading about the parts of a tree, … Continue reading New language – shape, sound and word association

Bilingual children and language development – Trying out new language or ‘Just us chickens!’

One of the delights of being able to observe our daughter go through a language growth spurt is being present both at the moment of her hearing new language and then hearing that new language being road-tested by her for the first time. A fortnight ago I asked our daughter (three years and three months … Continue reading Bilingual children and language development – Trying out new language or ‘Just us chickens!’