sweetisu

Couple of weeks ago while I was selecting merchandise for our store, KangarooBoo, Sebastian came into the office and sat on my lap. He said “let me see what I want to buy” and then proceeded to point out this picture and that picture, saying “I want this for my birthday, I want that for my birthday…” And then “I want a xylophone for my birthday.” Well his birthday was hours away and there was no way we could get him a xylophone. Besides, all his presents were already purchased and wrapped (one of which is a trumpet).

As usual, I went off on the tangent again. What I’m trying to say is, I can count the times I mentioned the word “xylophone” with exactly 2 fingers. This guy has a super memory for words! He sang one of the nursery songs that were at least 20 lines long to us during bedtime a few evenings ago. Hubby and I can’t even sing it without reading the book, even though we have read it thousands of times.

Not long ago I read somewhere that it is easiest for children to learn (foreign) languages before age 10. The ability and ease decreases drastically as the person gets older. I strive to keep the kids bilingual by speaking to them in as much Cantonese as I can. I know they understand everything I say, but it is a little discouraging when they respond to me only in English instead. I know it would be easier and they would absorb more if Hubby and I spoke Cantonese together — the problem is, he doesn’t know how! It would be best if the kids can learn to read/write Chinese as they grow older, but for now, I will settle for at least being able to speak it.

Do you parents of ABC’s or AB-other-ethnicity have problems teaching/maintaining the mother tongue at home?