Dear Madalena,
We are bringing up a trilingual little boy of 2.5 years old. I am Greek, my husband is English and our son attends a Norwegian nursery (we have been living in Norway for the past 2 years).
Our son has been separating his languages well for a few months now and hardly brings home any Norwegian words. However, they implied at the nursery that his behavioral problems and lack of concentration might derive from his trilingualism (for example, that he lacks an understanding of the meaning of certain words). Yet, according to the nursery his Norwegian is very good.
I also feel that sometimes when we ask him to wait or explain to him that we will do something first and then do what he wants (wash hand first and then eat, for example) he gets frustrated and it is so hard to tell if he doesn’t understand us or if it is a lack of understanding of the concept of time due to his age.
Thank you so so much for your contributions to the site!
Fay
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Poor baby! He’s only 2.5 for goodness sake! I agree with everything Madalena says. If they say his Norwegian is good (as good as any language can be at that age) then they are just looking for excuses for normal 2 year old behaviour.
Maybe he comes out with the odd Greek or English word and he’s frustrated because his little friends don’t understand 3 languages like he does? ;o)
Don’t let them discourage or dishearten you.
Good luck!
Hi, I also agree with Madalena. At this age they start to understand things around them, also it is difficult to handle their own feelings related to anything new or unexpected.
The parents may also evaluate whether they have a usual routine for the day and certain rules, because it might be difficult to the boy to follow nursery rules if at home there are not too much in place.
My little one is 33 months old, so we have also difficult days time to time.
Thanks, Anita
Children have the ability to acquire many languages. The little boy will cope,its just a matter of time. Mark my words.