Lilypie
Not flesh of my flesh
nor bone of my bone
but still miraculously my own.

Never forget for a single minute
you didn't grow under my heart
but in it!


Friday, October 24, 2008

Gabriella's Spanish "Tutor"

From birth up to the age of five, children develop language at a very rapid pace. Gabriella spent the first year of her life hearing only Spanish with the exception of my visit trips in which she was exposed to English. Now, with Gabriella home, all of her Spanish exposure has completely ceased. (Boy, do I wish I studied harder during my five years of Spanish in school!) I want Gabriella to be bilingual for many reasons, but especially so that she will be able to communicate with her foster family as she gets older if she chooses. I felt that I needed to continue her Spanish exposure so that she has more of a chance to retain what she has already heard and learned. So, I hired a "tutor" to spend about six to ten hours per week playing with Gabriella but speaking solely in Spanish. Whether or not this will be enough, we shall find out! The tutor, Marilyn, is a college student and a native Spanish speaker from the Dominican Republic. Gabriella and Marilyn began their first session today at the day care for two hours. Hopefully, someday Gabriella will be helping mommy practice her Spanish!

1 comment:

  1. Maybe Marilyn can help "mommy" learn now and then you can learn the basics so you're learning progresses in Spanish at the same rate Gabriella's does for both Spanish and English? Think of it this way, you only have to learn half as much as a 1 year old !!! (kidding).

    Wished I was competant enough in French to try to teach our little one some of it, but he'll be lucky to pick up proper English around me.

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