Should I perpare him that it will be hard?

amother

Tangerine

Tue, Aug 22 2017, 7:14 am

I have a very intelligent and sensitive four year old starting cheder tomorrow in Israel.
Until now he has been going to an English gan so it will be a difficult transition going to a Hebrew-speaking cheder.

He is excited at the prospect of starting. I've told him that all the boys will be speaking Ivrit and he's happy with that too (he thinks he knows it even though he only knows a few odd words.) Should I prepare him that it might be hard at the beginning since he won't understand what's going on or I shouldn't spoil his enthusiasm?

I would appreciate your insight!

thunderstorm

Tue, Aug 22 2017, 7:19 am

I've sent my kids to a Yiddish speaking playgroup when we were English speakers at home. They adapt very quickly and learn the language faster than you think. Children know how to communicate even with language barriers. You are probably more worried and nervous than he is. He will do fine. I wouldn't make a big deal . Let him go first and talk to him afterward to see how he is doing. Good Luck!!!

singleagain

Tue, Aug 22 2017, 7:27 am

only you know how sensitive/suggestible your child is. my mother recently shared with me that she didn't tell me that period cramps were painful, and for the first few months I was fine. then a friend told me it was painful, and suddenly I always had pain, and it was always horrible.

if you don't make such a big deal out of it, it might not be a big deal. But again, you know your kid best.

also, perhaps, let him have his first day, and ask details of how it went, and if he says it was hard, try to encourage him that it will get easier etc.

Iymnok

Tue, Aug 22 2017, 7:48 am

Don't worry too much. But do teach him the basic commands and responses.
Stand up, sit down, I need the bathroom, what's your name, and the like. He'll be fine.

LiLIsraeli

Tue, Aug 22 2017, 7:51 am

Rather than tell him it will be hard, tell him he'll do great and he may not understand everything at first but he's going to learn. You want him to come in with a positive attitude and a feeling of competence and determination rather than discouragement and hopelessness.

OutATowner

Tue, Aug 22 2017, 8:43 am

Tell him it is ok to ask for help, and the Rebbe is there to help him. You don't need to specify that it will be hard, but kids should be comfortable asking for help and know the Rebbe is there for him.

imasinger

Tue, Aug 22 2017, 8:59 am

OOC does anyone in the cheder meet with families, and have information about who doesn't speak the language?

It's a given in every program I've worked in for kids of that age. Often, there will be an effort made to have at least a little communication in the child's native language, to ease the transition.

I agree with lymnok; you can make a game out of teaching him a few important basics ahead of time. Would the rebbe be willing to give a list of most important words and phrases for a child to know in his class? Are there other English speaking families you can speak to for some details as to their experiences in this cheder, and their advice?

amother

Yellow

Tue, Aug 22 2017, 9:15 am

If you are worried he will feed off of your worry. He will be fine. Kids are so resilient and figure out how to communicate. He'll pick up the language in no time and get used to things quickly.
Hatzlacha.
*from a mother of a son who started cheder last year and only spoke English, and another son starting tomorrow Smile

Iymnok

Tue, Aug 22 2017, 9:35 am

Talk to him about the exciting parts and what to expect.
They spend the first week just getting comfortable. So really language won't be an issue just yet.
FTR, he should understand by Chanukah and speak by Purim. Good to know if you want intervention.