Comments on: China Day 1: Surviving Long Plane Rides with Kids (27 Mar 2008)

By: richard p.

richard p. — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:05:31 +0000

There are several such programs. Many colleges and university’s have some as well. We were at an event and a college senior gave a presentation in Manderin. He had never studied until he was in college but spent 2 summers in the college’s emersion program. That is when my wife and I stopped felling guilty. A herrityage tour will come first – probably next year as our youngest will be 9 and our oldest will be entering junior year of high school.

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:47:35 +0000

In reply to richard p..

I agree! Have you heard about that great immersion program where the kids stay at a university in China for part of a summer? I can’t recall the name… but I think they kids need to be at least 8 or 10. The parents can also stay in the dorms. I’ll need to go look up the name of the program…

By: richard p.

richard p. — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:48:20 +0000

In reply to kidworldcitizen. We figured they could learn Chinese later in an imersion program while spending the summer there. You can't learn to play the piano and understand music (well, anyway) as an adult. We would have loved to do both but it just was not possible.

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:28:24 +0000

In reply to richard p.. I love that you have your kids in piano from a young age! Music, like language, is much easier to learn when you are younger- and a skill they will always be able to enjoy!

By: richard p.

richard p. — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:14:12 +0000

In reply to kidworldcitizen. We used a few key words like potty, food, go to sleep, I love you etc. The one word our 3 year old hated was "no"! Pointing was big and somehow we all managed. Language came pretty fast, so don't worry. I cannot see how learning a new language can be detrimental. A kids mind is like a sponge and they just absorb everthing. We tried Chinese with both ou our kids but it did not last longer than a year. There was just too much going on to make it work (getting them to scholl, homework etc) and they had no interest what so ever. To be honest, we felt that going to class once a week for 3 hours would not get them too far along anyway (just my opinion). We got around the gilt by keeping them in piano class. We both felt music was just as important as language.

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:01:30 +0000

In reply to Jennifer W. I second the sign language! "more" and "milk" were learned while still in China (the most important words in my son's world:). Great point Jennifer!

By: Jennifer W

Jennifer W — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:42:11 +0000

In reply to Marie Keränen.

Sign language – kids pick it up fast. Our second daughter’s special need meant she was not understandable in any langauge- but she picked up Sign very fast- she had over a dozen signs before we left China. We used it with our older daughter too, great for bridging the terrible twos when they know what they want – but can’t tell you.

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:57:57 +0000

In reply to richard p.. YES: "snacks, toys, activities and above all PATIENCE is key" I completely agree:). Hunger and boredom are huge triggers! Your daughter came home at almost the same age as our sons (son #1 42 months in 2008; and son #2 35 months in 2010). A fun but very busy age!

By: richard p.

richard p. — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:17:05 +0000

Nice blog! I would like to mention that we traveled in 2007 to get our 2nd daughter who was 36 mo. The dvd player and movies had no effect on her, so don’t count on it! Snacks, toys, activities and above all patience is key.

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:29:44 +0000

In reply to Marie Keränen. We went against the advice of "professionals" and taught our children English and Spanish at the same time. We also have our kids in Mandarin. It is very difficult to maintain their language, but if you have access to tutors or friends of the language, I would highly recommend trying to maintain- what a wonderful connection to their culture and birthland. I suspect that the people advising against keeping the native language are monolingual themselves? We tried to maintain Chinese in our son, but he quickly lost it to Spanish and English- but now is learning it back in classes. With our son from Ethiopia, we could not find anyone who spoke his native language (Sidamigna). However we would love for him to learn Amharic! I think multilingualism is never detrimental, and always an advantage (in my humble opinion!).

By: Marie Keränen

Marie Keränen — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:12:25 +0000

Hi! A great story! We are expecting a member to the extended family in the near future through adoption and I would be very interested in hearing how you dealt with the language issues (in other words not having a common language with the child?)I have been looking for information on what would be the best way to go about it for the child, but can’t seem to find any. I’ve also been confused that many online resources suggest that keeping the child’s native language alive might not be worth it (and sometimes even detrimental) and I’d love to hear your thoughts on this… thank you!

Marie ( France)

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:22:33 +0000

In reply to Jennifer W. I love it!:) Laughed out loud several times- glad you made it safe and sound, and sorry that you forgot the chocolate!!!!!

By: Jennifer W

Jennifer W — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:58:05 +0000

Here’s my trip to China with a 3-year-old, http://www.lianmakes4.blogspot.com/2007/09/50-ways-to-get-to-china.html

By: Julie Wilkin Mladic

Julie Wilkin Mladic — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 00:52:53 +0000

When our 2 kids came home from Peru, they had a clean outfit put on right before they got off the airplane. Our daughter was very ill, so it was a great idea! Thanks Becky!

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 00:14:35 +0000

In reply to tycobeans. That is a great idea! :) Isn't that so true- keep the cute, clean outfit that will be used for the photos until the last 5 minutes of the flight- or right when you land! I'm passing this on to future adoptive parents:).