word cards for communication with verbal children

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-obhHD6VxLWYjNwZkt3czByV0U/edit

This is the link to the word cards that we used in ET to communicate with our sons. They have a picture on them and the English words. I suggest laminating them and then when you get there ask for the phrase or word in your child's native language. It gives you a way to communicate. I put these on a lanyard and wore them to use when communicating important things like: use the bathroom, go to sleep, are you hungry, what do you want, give a hug, etc.
This was really helpful and I would suggest some sort of communication tool for those adopting children over 18 months. This worked with 3 year olds.

Our most important words:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-obhHD6VxLWOFlJMHlPMWNqVnM/edit

Words and phrases:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-obhHD6VxLWcnZmMnNGNHBJbDA/edit

Helping your child transition to English

Well, I have wanted to do a post on language for a while. I have finally gotten around to it.

When our boys came home they were 3. At three a child knows a lot of language and ours were HIGHLY verbal, and one quite verbose. K used complex language of a child much older (age was correct) and N used a sort of "country bumpkin" sort of speech, very cute to those who could understand it (at the guest house and drivers, etc.). They would both look to us and chatter on about whatever or ask for what they needed, in Amharic. We learned fast some key phrases to say and hear.

*Here are some of the things we did to communicate while in transition (in ET and for about 2 weeks home):

1. picture cards/with Amharic phrases and words written on them so we could show them the picture say the Amharic and English word. 
2. We also used a phrase and word list see this post: http://jkdcolorado.blogspot.com/2009/04/amharic-word-list-for-communication.html

*Once we were home we continued with these practices and added some other things. Because the boys were so verbal, I knew they could transfer to a higher level of English than I expected. So, I did ELL/ESL games with them for the basics: Colors and familiar items. (2 weeks home to about 3 months home)

1. We played a lot of memory games to use words items they were likely familiar with and learn the new word.
2. We read those baby books that have one picture on a page with a word. Trucks, Animals, Toys, Food, Etc.... I would say books with only one picture on a page are the very best, not confusing. There was lots of snuggle time with that too, and so it was fun for all of us.
3. Using deliberate speech. Please give mommy the blue cup on the table. Please put your white socks in the dirty laundry basket. Go get your red dog from your room. The more descriptive and intentional the language the better the learning. 
4. loads of play time and reading time. 
5. Talking about everything with descriptive language. I got tired of talking.

  *Then as they got a bit more familiar I introduced letters and numbers. Thees are some of the things I used that worked best In addition to the games and books mentioned above: (three months home to about 1 year home).

1. Leap Frog videos, games and toys (keep to the Preschool variety at first)
2. Picture flash cards for numbers and letters (play games with these)
3. picture dominoes (basic items like fruits or colors)
4. number dot dominoes
5. singing kids songs, especially ones with actions
6. finger games and hand play rhymes and songs
7. seek and find
8. 20 questions, I'm thinking of a ____________ (give category)
9. First Word cards (these have pictures and are great not just for reading but for what is this thing called). 
10. matching games and sorting games

* Some other suggestions I have heard from parents and what they liked are:

1. Language Wizard series
2. Cool Cards (picture cards for learning items)
3. brain games
4. facial expressions cards to learn feeling words (this is a useful thing to work on, whatever method you use to teach it).

You can find many of these things at any regular game section or school supply section at Target or Walmart. You can also find them at specialty stores like those stores where Grandma buys gifts. A great place to find everything is at a teacher supply store.  I even found some great things at Ross, TJ Maxx and Marshalls. You may even have luck in the education section of Toys R Us, they have a great selection of Leap Frog.

Here are some online resources, check out Preschool, Early Child Development, creative play, readiness skills, language arts, language:
http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/f|/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByCategory/language/viewall.jsp
http://www.eschoolcrossing.com/

http://www.teachingsupplystore.com/early_childhood-c-1011125.html
http://www.cmschoolsupply.com/

Remember it is NOT how much your child knows but how much your child knows you love him or her. In our culture it is easy to get caught up in how much your kid knows but it all comes......... no need to push. Love on him or her and they will have the confidence to learn. These suggestions are for FUN. It is important to keep perspective.

Flash cards and communication

Communicating with your non English speaking child can be frustrating. We used a list of handy phrases in Amharic. See list here.
We also used home made picture cards to show the action or need. We included: drink, eat, potty, sleep, dress, play, sick, happy, sad, hug, etc..... we did not use them as much as we used the Amharic phrases. First we used them together, but as we learned the phrases better we did not need the cards. We wrote the Amharic phrase on the cards so that we could say it. Some families have found the cards to be really helpful. You can make them yourself with clip art or you can buy some or download them on this site.
http://www.eslflashcards.com/

I would mention that so called universal signs and signals still need to be learned and so some cards will not be self apparent. Some will, a picture of a child drinking is self apparent. But, a picture of a toilet may not be right away. Huh???? Well, most places the toilet is a pit in the ground. :) Does not look like our toilet.  So, some orientation will be needed but happens quickly. Do try to add the Amharic or Sidamic phrases so your child understands. 

Amharic word list for communication with your recently adopted child

Our most important Amharic words for communicating with our preschool age boys.

I love you-- ee-wha-de-halow (girl end in shal oh)
It’s ok honey -- Ishee eye-zoe
Don’t be afraid-- ah teh frah
These together are great for scary or sad times or bad dreams, etc…..
*Add “yay” to the end of the name for a term of endearment. Kedusyay, Natiyay, etc…. it is like saying Jilly or Sammy. They also use the "y" at the end like we do. It is an "i" as in Nati.

Ok-- ishee
It is time to go to sleep-- la ten ya
Go to sleep (command)-- ten ya
Night night-- mah Tah mah tah

No, don’t do that-- tdoe
Stop-- koom (girl koom ee)
Yes-- ow
Good child-- goe bez
Enough!-- Bakka
Wait-- Koi (girl koy ee)
Good job!-- Tih ROO sih RAH
That was bad, that is bad, it was a bad thing….-- Meht FOH
Good-- tih roo
Are you ok? -- Teh shah lekh (girl end in lesh)
Look -- ay (ay ee)
Sit down -- koach ah bel (sounds like “coach a bell”)
Come -- nah
Hello -- halo or seh lahm
Good bye -- chow
I’m sorry -- yih kir tah


Mommy-- amay (careful to use this word for birthmother and not myself) Lots of kids say Mommy also.
Daddy-- ahb-baba
Small-- tinish
Big -- tih lihk
Dog -- woosha
Cat -- dumet
Bird -- wuhf
Car-- mah kee nah
Ball -- kwas
Shoes -- chamahs
Clothes-- libs
Blanket -- bird libs
New -- addis (new clothes, mommy, etc…)

The word for potty --shent (also means to pee)
Poop -- kah kah
Brush teeth -- broosh

Juice-- chee mah key
Milk -- wha tet
Water -- whu ha

Delicious (it is good)-- yee tahf tahl
Do you want …?-- tih fuh lih GAHL ekh (boy) tih fuh lih GAHL esh (girl)
Bottle (even for water)-- TOO toh
A bad guy is (we did not use this one, but they DID)-- lay-bah