Non English Speaker Difficulty in preschool

[nadiabr]

Our 3 year old son just started Christian preschool 2 times a week for 3 hours. When we enrolled him, we asked about him not speaking English and the director assured that they learn through play. After 10 weeks of going so approximately 50 hours that he spent there they requested a meeting and told us that he does not do circle time, covers his ears when too loud and gets into other children faces.We said that it is most likely because he gets frustrated when nobody understands him but they blew it off and suggested for him to get pediatric assessment. Upon vising the school and witnessing his behavior in my own eyes I am confused. He does play outside, he tries to grab toys from other children but it looks like nobody at this age shares. When came circle time he refused to do it and was hiding in a quiet corner.He kept saying that he is tired and hungry. The teacher did circle time 2 times around 10 minutes. He did the craft fine with no help and then played with other children. So my question is is this school just does not want to deal with him and want us gone or he does have issues? Should we just suggest them to drop circle time for him? The teacher seems to be very strict and wants them all in a circle.

Circle time would be very valuable as a time for absorbing more English so I don't think he should be withdrawn from this. I used to work in a school nursery class with a wide variety of languages spoken and never had this reaction. Non English speakers were able to follow the action parts of songs for example to feel part of the group. If the school staff think there is something else going on I think you should listen to them. If it turns out there is no other problem then you have lost nothing.

I've taught a couple bilingual kids. One had no English when she started. So from my very small sample size I'd say covering your ears as too loud and getting in other children face is not indicative of language barriers. Sounds to me like they are hinting at neurodivergent those would be familiar behaviours in children with sensory needs

How old are the other children? And how close to 4 is your son? I would be more worried if an almost 4 yo was acting like this than if a just turned 3 yo was.

Side note. I did a short training course on early years care for bilingual kids. The advice was to keep your home language your native one or the one of the non English parent. When you switch to English at home often in the advice on childcare/teachers who do not have the training you risk them loosing that language or not being fluent in it as they would be if you never speak English at home

I think it could be right to get checked. My DD is 3 and autistic, she avoids group activities and hates loud environments. The first stage of assessment is a check list form you fill in so maybe go through this to see what you think.

I agree that keeping your home language is best within the family and in my experience pre school/reception DC pick up a second language quickly.

Give him time OP. It must be very overwhelming being in a setting where he can’t understand or make himself understood with words. But he is at that perfect age where kids absorb language like a sponge. By the time he starts school he will most likely have a good command of English and by end of KS1 he will most likely be as fluent as his classmates.

I’ve taught countless children with English as an additional language. Many of them in nursery and reception had not one word of English. Many of those children never spoke a word of English throughout EYFS.
Usually children are quick to pick up language, quick to understand but slower to speak. It’s different than learning a language as an adult as less language is used and it is in context.

Your child’s behaviour would make me concerned that there are other issues aside from the language barrier. I’ve seen many children who do have SEND be missed or not diagnosed until much older than English speaking children simply because the issue is masked by the language barrier.

He is 3 years and 3 months old

We give him time, it looks like they want circle time participation and he just does not want. he did crafts fine and played in a group setting so to suggest that he is autistic or something is ridiculous

How old they were? He speaks some english and knows colors and numbers in english along with some songs

You don't understand autism. It doesn't mean a child can't have friends or play with other children, it means they have communication difficulties so they do things like 'get in other children's faces'. Covering his ears in assembly was the main thing that got my DS assessed for ASD, it is a very typical trait.

I certainly wouldn't rule it out, preschools often have some experience with ND children. He's still young so if you're uncomfortable with the idea you can just give it time and see how he goes - keep in mind though that the wait for assessment can be very long.

I would ask the preschool how they would handle the situation if it turned out he was autistic - and then get them to handle it in that way. There will be no detriment if it turns out that he is not autistic.

It’s not ridiculous. With respect they have experience of a large number of children. You have experience of just your child.

This.

He sounds like a lovely little boy, and very lucky to be growing up bilingual!

It doesn't sound to me like the nursery staff are trying to force him out, it sounds like they're genuinely trying to help. I'd consider taking their recommendation to get a paediatric assessment. It'll probably all be nothing, but if he does have any social communication difficulties then getting an early assessment will be hugely helpful. He's obviously a smart boy and these things often only become apparent in group settings like nursery.

The covering ears and not respecting other children personal space is suggestive of sensory issues possibly associated with neurodiversity. If he has limited English , circle-time is a useful activity to listen and improve language skills. You say it is a Christian preschool but that does not clarify if it is private or state funded, attached to a school or community based? Regardless, the early years curriculum is common to all.

It is private Christian run, not state funded. Circle time she reads bible and sings song. But she seemed very strict to me one child was corrected immediately be her when she did not sit properly.Or maybe it is mine subjective thinking. thank you all for answering, rally have hard time with this one

Sounds very unusual. Are there no others locally which may be more relaxed? Does he qualify for Early Years funded sessions for 15 hours a week? Six hours a week may not be enough to give your dc routine.

we will have free state funded TK for all 4 year olds in california next year. There are more regultions , they will have to mark objects in the child's spoken language etc, have books in his language etc.

So are you not in uk now?

We originally wanted 4 days a week but they pushed for 2 days only to see how he will be doing

No in UK, we are in USA but UK also have English right?

Yes but the choices and school systems are different so relevant advice may be less forthcoming, Also they may be quicker to suggest assessments than in UK. I would still suggest it is probably not the best environment for him.

So should we go and visit doctors or we try another school. Maybe both. This school is not required by law to give him extra teacher time or special services.

I should also mention that he is quite spoilt, stubborn and does not want to do things he does not like, for example drawing will be for cople of minutes only. With new lego he can play for a day though. Is this a sign of autism? Adhd?