Should I be trying to 'fix' my child's Americanisms?

[Katixie]

Hi!
I've been living abroad (in Sweden) for the past seven years, my husband is Swedish. We have two kids, a daughter (almost 4) and a son (almost 2).
I read an article about an increasing lack of school readiness in children in the U.K. yesterday. My dd has no problems climbing the stairs or using the toilet, but because of living abroad and my husband's English, has many Americanisms in her speech.
I've never thought of it as an issue and I've adopted several too, as there are just some words (eg. diaper instead of nappy, or trash instead of rubbish ect.) that are more easily understood by Swedish people who are speaking a second language.
With our return to the U.K. imminent - at the end of this month - I can't help but wonder if I'm doing them a disservice by not correcting this language? Do you think this will pose an issue in the future, especially relating to dd starting school in 2026, or am I overthinking it?
Thanks!

I’m sure there must be lots of things in your head right now ahead of your move. As you say you have adopted some Americanisms.
I wouldn’t worry about this at all tbh. Sounds like your DC will be well prepared for school.
The older one in particular will soon pick up on the different word usage e,g, nappy. You can just be casual about it and point things like this out as they come up if needed. If you start saying “rubbish” not “trash” for e.g. after your move they will copy.
Lots of children watch American TV and can pick up words phrases or even the accent. It’s fine.
Good luck with the move.

You are over thinking.

my DD is as English as can be and uses Americanisms she picked up
off the tv.

I’m a primary teacher and I often find that children who have learnt English abroad have learnt American English and have that dialect. They can still be understood and it generally disappears as they want to fit in with their peers.

My siblings and I lived in the USA for a few years, age 3-9 for my brother. He was 100% American in speech and accent and words at age 9 when we moved back to the uk. Within 6 weeks he switched to 100% British.

young kids are v adaptable and will do fine.

We had the reverse situation: children heard British English at home but American at school. They switched easily once they were in school. Correcting doesn’t work very well. (We did have occasional moments of kids asking which sort of chips we meant…)

With videos/TV/film kids now pick up bits and pieces of vocabulary from all over.

At least you have a reason. I’ve taught children who I thought were actually American until. Found out they had just been brought up by TV. The other children and the adults will be able to understand what your child is saying because we all watch tv too so that’s all that matters.

Some children who are autistic can pick up and mimic accents heard regularly. I advised staff on a Reception child who had a Southern English sounding accent ( Peppa Pig) whilst his older brother spoke in a broad Northern accent! Younger child had an ASD diagnosis. Staff were a bit baffled at first.

I taught two different autistic undergraduates in the last couple of years, both with such strong US accents I thought they were American, or had at least spent formative years there growing up. One had never been to the US, the other had been there once on holiday.