2.5 year old speech delay & upsetting nursery meeting

[Strattenrach]

My daughter is 2.5 years old & in nursery full time. We live in a country where English is not the spoken language, so whilst at home we speak only English, in nursery they speak only the local language. My daughter has been in the nursery for a year

She did take a while to settle in, but is now happy when we drop off, happy when we pick up & is excited to see her friends, say their names etc. at 2 years old the nursery expressed that she was not talking really at all. We had a speech therapist come out & she expressed that she was likely speech delayed & off the back of that we have been encouraging her so much & her English has come on a lot - she says lots of words, & combinations of words, seems to be learning more all the time, she is engaged & communicative but she does not yet speak in full-sentences.

Today we went to a meeting at nursery with a translator, & the carers told us that they had tested my daughter in the local language & her speech was almost non-existent, they said she understands everything & communicates but very little language.

I asked if they were just concerned by a language delay or any behavioural issues & she said that sometimes she gets over stimulated by the group & they way she plays with her class-mates can be limited, how much this is a language issue they don't know. We have never seen her be overstimulated at home.

I know its probably ridiculous but I am distraught, I am so surprised there is a behavioural issue as she has good eye contact, sings, laughs etc. She can count to 20 & has been doing this recently & now I am worried that this is sign of being on the spectrum. My husband thinks i am overreacting but I am just wondering if anyone else has had experience like this. thanks so much. a worried Mom

I think it's difficult if they are learning lord than one language as there is obviously going to be a delay over DC they only have to cope with one language.

I'd perhaps ask @MNHQ to amend your title to include that your DD is bilingual as it may attract some bilingual MNers

Hello! It is quite common to be a passive bilingual in one language (that means that you understand both languages but only speak one of them - your dominant language). This usually resolves around 5. It is even possible that in the future she only wants to speak the local language and not the minority one (so completely the opposite as now). I think the daycare is not very knowledgeable about multilingual language development.
Please don't worry about her not speaking the second language if she understands.

Hi OP. My nearly 2yo is learning two languages but is almost non - existent in speaking the second language. I think this is common.

My nephew(3yo) is learning / exposed to 5 languages due to the country they live in. However he can only communicate in French, and definitely behind that of a monolingual 3yo. Nursery is a multi lingual environment and has expressed no concerns.

My impression is this is just while your daughter ‘catches up’ and there is nothing to worry about. In the absence of restricted/repetitive behaviour (much more than a local toddler)I really would not worry

The only issue here is the reaction of the nursery. Everything sounds absolutely fine and normal, and the best way to support your child is to continue to believe in your wonderful child.

Anytime something seems slightly out of the norm these days, they do seem to love to panic parents. In our experience this normally says more about the caregivers than the child. By the time your child is 6 I bet you'll look back and laugh. Just keep believing, and don't buy into the "problem" narrative.

How are you feeling today @Strattenrach?