I took Michael to the playground yesterday after I picked him up. Doug had his weekly card game and it just makes the evening go so much faster if Michael can run around for a little bit. He started playing with this boy about his age, and I realized quickly that this boy did not speak English. I tried to explain to Michael that the boy couldn't understand what he was saying, but Michael didn't care. He would jump, and the boy would jump. He would run, and the boy would follow him.
I started talking to his mother, with her broken English and my terrible Spanish. (I basically know pero and that's it.) She told me her family had just moved from Chile and I realized they moved two doors down from us. She was thrilled that her son had found someone to play with. "He's been so lonely. He doesn't know English." I tried to invite her over for a playdate, but she didn't understand what I was saying.
When I told Michael it was time to go, he said, "Mommy, I have to say goodbye to my new friend." I started to tell him the boy wouldn't understand, but he started waving. And the boy waved back, and said "Michael."
We walked home together and her son realized our house had the big dog. He started jumping up and down and I brought Foster out on a leash and let him pet him. It was like I made this kid's week.
How hard this must be for him. To move, not just to a new city, but a new country, and not speak the language. To not understand what is going on around you. I'm glad Michael was able to provide a little entertainment, a little fun for him.
Our Children Speak the Same Language
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{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
Isn’t it amazing how kids can understand each other like that? Thanks for sharing such a nice story!
Isn’t it amazing how kids can understand each other like that? Thanks for sharing such a nice story!
Isn’t it amazing how kids can understand each other like that? Thanks for sharing such a nice story!
Isn’t it amazing how kids can understand each other like that? Thanks for sharing such a nice story!
my family moved from Russia when I was 13 and my brother was 4. He cried for the first two weeks because he did not understand the language, but then things just clicked! He doesn’t have any accent at all. This little boy will be just fine!
my family moved from Russia when I was 13 and my brother was 4. He cried for the first two weeks because he did not understand the language, but then things just clicked! He doesn’t have any accent at all. This little boy will be just fine!
my family moved from Russia when I was 13 and my brother was 4. He cried for the first two weeks because he did not understand the language, but then things just clicked! He doesn’t have any accent at all. This little boy will be just fine!
my family moved from Russia when I was 13 and my brother was 4. He cried for the first two weeks because he did not understand the language, but then things just clicked! He doesn’t have any accent at all. This little boy will be just fine!
That’s wonderful. Both for that little boy… and for Michael. I’m sure if they were to play together the little boy would pick up so much English just from “talking” with Michael.
While we were on our cruise Zoe played with a couple of little girls who spoke only French. It seems that none of them seemed to mind though.
That’s wonderful. Both for that little boy… and for Michael. I’m sure if they were to play together the little boy would pick up so much English just from “talking” with Michael.
While we were on our cruise Zoe played with a couple of little girls who spoke only French. It seems that none of them seemed to mind though.
That’s wonderful. Both for that little boy… and for Michael. I’m sure if they were to play together the little boy would pick up so much English just from “talking” with Michael.
While we were on our cruise Zoe played with a couple of little girls who spoke only French. It seems that none of them seemed to mind though.
That’s wonderful. Both for that little boy… and for Michael. I’m sure if they were to play together the little boy would pick up so much English just from “talking” with Michael.
While we were on our cruise Zoe played with a couple of little girls who spoke only French. It seems that none of them seemed to mind though.
How cool! Maybe she would understand meeting at the park at a certain day/time? Who knows, maybe Michael will pick up Spanish as his friend picks up English.
How cool! Maybe she would understand meeting at the park at a certain day/time? Who knows, maybe Michael will pick up Spanish as his friend picks up English.
How cool! Maybe she would understand meeting at the park at a certain day/time? Who knows, maybe Michael will pick up Spanish as his friend picks up English.
How cool! Maybe she would understand meeting at the park at a certain day/time? Who knows, maybe Michael will pick up Spanish as his friend picks up English.
How sweet of Michael… Kids are spunges, that kid will be speaking English in no time! My parents moved here as adults and even they managed to learn the language pretty quickly…
And hey Michael may even pick up a few Spanish words, and that can’t hurt at all.. I’m partial though:-)
How sweet of Michael… Kids are spunges, that kid will be speaking English in no time! My parents moved here as adults and even they managed to learn the language pretty quickly…
And hey Michael may even pick up a few Spanish words, and that can’t hurt at all.. I’m partial though:-)
How sweet of Michael… Kids are spunges, that kid will be speaking English in no time! My parents moved here as adults and even they managed to learn the language pretty quickly…
And hey Michael may even pick up a few Spanish words, and that can’t hurt at all.. I’m partial though:-)
How sweet of Michael… Kids are spunges, that kid will be speaking English in no time! My parents moved here as adults and even they managed to learn the language pretty quickly…
And hey Michael may even pick up a few Spanish words, and that can’t hurt at all.. I’m partial though:-)
Aw! I hope they will be great friends!
Aw! I hope they will be great friends!
Aw! I hope they will be great friends!
Aw! I hope they will be great friends!
The language of childhood is much better than any formal language.
The language of childhood is much better than any formal language.
The language of childhood is much better than any formal language.
The language of childhood is much better than any formal language.
What a heartwearming story! Just goes to show that being a kid knows no boundaries!
What a heartwearming story! Just goes to show that being a kid knows no boundaries!
What a heartwearming story! Just goes to show that being a kid knows no boundaries!
What a heartwearming story! Just goes to show that being a kid knows no boundaries!
How nice for both of them – and it looks like you’ve found a new friend too. If you stay there, and they do too they’ll make perfect spontaneous playdates. That’s one thing I love about our neighborhood. No need for scheduled playdates – they just happen on their own.
How nice for both of them – and it looks like you’ve found a new friend too. If you stay there, and they do too they’ll make perfect spontaneous playdates. That’s one thing I love about our neighborhood. No need for scheduled playdates – they just happen on their own.
How nice for both of them – and it looks like you’ve found a new friend too. If you stay there, and they do too they’ll make perfect spontaneous playdates. That’s one thing I love about our neighborhood. No need for scheduled playdates – they just happen on their own.
How nice for both of them – and it looks like you’ve found a new friend too. If you stay there, and they do too they’ll make perfect spontaneous playdates. That’s one thing I love about our neighborhood. No need for scheduled playdates – they just happen on their own.