The moment I realized why 'Shouldn't I start them on English?' felt wrong
Hello! I'm Hitomin, and I focus on parenting that brings out a child's natural personality!
When I worked at an English conversation school, I used to tell parents,
It's recommended to start them in English conversation school from infancy because it helps develop an 'English ear'!
But after actually having my own child, I don't think it's necessary to attend English school from infancy.
Because with English conversation lessons provided just once a week,
the level of 'English ear' and language ability we expect
unfortunately doesn't develop.
This is something I've thought about
frustratingly, after working at an English school for four and a half years.
It's not that the children lack motivation.
The instructors aren't deviating significantly from the curriculum,
and the children always seem to follow along happily.
But, a week later, they don't remember it, haha.
Once a week isn't enough input to begin with,
and there's almost zero necessity for it in daily life.
Because they only use that language
during those lesson times.
If the amount of input, the frequency of repetition, and the necessity
are all low, it's only natural that it's hard to acquire.
Even so, for the sake of our children's future,
so that our children won't have trouble.
We parents try to send them to various lessons.
But what is truly necessary in infancy
is not the skills acquired in early childhood.
It's the foundation for acquiring those skills.
You need to till the soil.
That foundation isn't built through lessons.
Tee-sensei put into words
what I had been feeling intuitively.
'Since children spend a long time sleeping and eating, they don't have that much free time, and lessons are things decided by adults andforced upon themat the adults' convenience. The foundation that leads to various skills is born from discoveries made during free play done of their own volition.'
*This is an output from my brain, so it is not the original text
The original text is here
That's it!!! I thought.
English, in particular, doesn't improve because it's 'forced' and 'not necessary for daily life'.
Chinese is definitely going to be important in the future! You'll need it!
I'll pay for it, so go learn it!
I don't have much time left, so I won't learn it myself!
I'm counting on you if I'm ever in trouble!!
If your boss said that to you,
could you enjoy learning Chinese? Would you improve?
It's better to do it than not to do it.
That can be said for anything.
That is precisely why, at home,
enjoying English together as parent and child is more than enough.
When they eventually decide they truly want to learn,
this time spent together as parent and child will surely become a strength.
It will serve as a foundation.
Because they already think of English as something fun in the first place.
It won't be a chore, and because they already know the experience that
excitement awaits them once they become capable.
I suppose I should make them learn English.
If you are thinking that you 'should' make them,
it is better not to.
Please make time for them to be fully absorbed
in playing outside or just playing to their heart's content.
If it is just one of the tools to play together,
and they say 'I want to try it!', then by all means,
let's start with small things.
Any kind of parenting is fine.
The point is whether you and your child
are laughing from the heart.
That was the feeling of discomfort—wondering if
a heartfelt smile would truly be achieved.