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Maggie
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| Posted: July 27 2009 at 2:47pm | IP Logged
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Hi Moms,
Well...this idea has been on my heart for a few months now, but I need to get your "expert" opinions. 
My children are both 4 and 2. We went to Italy in May, and my children just LOVED it. Prior to going, we read children's books peppered with Italian language or just Italian themes in general (ie: Toto in Italy, Madeleine and the Cats of Rome, etc.).
We taught our 4yo how to introduce herself, tell people how old she is, if she liked things, how to count, etc...she really truly LOVED this and was good at it (besides, it was totally adorable).
A few weeks ago, my dd asked when she was going to learn more italian. She said, "I really love it."
I thought about trying to teach her more. I learned Spanish well...but my husband and I "self-taught" ourselves Italian for the trip...so we were able to get by quite well given the similarity of the languages.
So...yes...I could continue...but I thought it would be fun to do this with others.
If I did, would I teach it...or do I need to get someone who actually "speaks" it (these are only preschoolers).
Also, if this was something in your area, would this be appealing to you?
I'm thinking of organizing "classes" maybe once per month, based on a unit (ie: numbers, animals, colors, etc)...and doing coloring and crafts with it.
Also, how would this work for families that have older children?
I'm just hoping some of you might be able to give me a little direction. There is a lot in our area for older kids...but nothing for little ones...an underdeveloped niche, in my opinion, but at the same time, I can't see moms stopping their school day for their preschooler?
Kwim?
God Bless,
Maggie
__________________
Wife to dh (12 years) Mama to dd (10) ds (8), dd (1), ds (nb) and to Philip Mary (5/26/09), Lucy Joy (12/6/09), and Margaret Mary (3/6/10) who entered Heaven before we had a chance to hold them.
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Mackfam
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| Posted: July 28 2009 at 7:01am | IP Logged
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Maggie,
Your heart is so generous to want to share this with others! And how wonderful that your daughter is asking for more! I'd definitely run with that.
Ok, let me see about your questions...
Maggie wrote:
| if this was something in your area, would this be appealing to you? |
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With older children and other outside the home commitments we're very guarded about extra time out of the home. As lovely as your ideas sounds, Maggie, I'd probably have to pass. I'd probably be a lot more likely to meet at a park for free play time. 
Maggie wrote:
| how would this work for families that have older children? |
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You're so kind to be considerate of the older children. You are right to sense something with that group - if I were bringing my 4yo to a class I would definitely need to stay with him to ensure his cooperation, but that would mean my 12 yo and 8 yo would need something to do...and then there's the matter of octo-baby. She would be enough to give me serious pause!
Maggie wrote:
| There is a lot in our area for older kids...but nothing for little ones...an underdeveloped niche, in my opinion, but at the same time, I can't see moms stopping their school day for their preschooler? |
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That is likely to be the case, but you might have some participation. You could just feel it out if you really wanted to do this. I would be more likely to participate in a free play/park type day. That way I can be sure there's something for each of my children. I lean away from keeping the preschoolers too organized or structured. That's why I like doing things at home...I can sense when my little fella is interested, open and quiet. We can read, color, talk, and play together. Likely, if you get a lot of 4yo's together they are going to want to do what 4yo's do best - PLAY!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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RA's Mom
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| Posted: July 29 2009 at 8:53am | IP Logged
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Aside from the question about whether to hold classes, I have some ideas about language acquisition to share. Young children are designed to absorb language, the sounds and concepts. It's a great time to give them a foundation that they could build upon with formal study later.
Since you don't speak Italian yourself this is also an opportunity for you to learn together. Get your hands on as much material as you can. CDs and videos are important so that your children are exposed to the pronunciation of native speakers. Songs and stories will give them a sense of word order and grammar. No need to talk about this, just let them hear what's correct like they do in English. Finally be interactive. Get an Italian speaking puppet or stuffed animal to make conversation with her and use commands (run, jump, say) and three period lessons for vocabulary.
Three-period lessons involve taking contrasting objects - colors, shapes, animals, etc. Start with two things and gradually add more. First identify the objects: "This is a red block/ This is the blue block. Second ask the child to point to or give you a specific object: "Where is the red block? / Where is the blue block? Third ask the child to identify the object: What color is this block?
There are lots of Simon Says, Follow the leader, picture bingo types of games that will help you practice vocabulary in a similar way.
Of course the most important thing is that you have fun! Good luck.
Karen
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Sharyn
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| Posted: Aug 03 2009 at 8:43am | IP Logged
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Have you thought about starting a playgroup. You can put a notice up at your local child health clinic and advertise in the local paper. That way all the pressure is not on you. Once you have a group of ladies interested you can all pitch in.
I did go to an Indonesian play group for a while, but just found I couldn't fit it in,because of my older children.
There are some good ideas here on what to teach this age group: http://languagesmadeeasy.com.au/italian/italian-practical-pr ogram-samples.pdf
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Mum to dd (00), ds (03), dd (04), ds (06), one in God's care (08), dd (09), ds (11), one in God's care (13), and ds (13)
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Want to run this idea by you...
