Older Child Adoption:
What To Do If They
Speak A Different Language?

It is common for adoptive parents to consider older child adoption. However, if you are adopting from a foreign country and the child does not speak a word of your language, what are you to do?

Well, you could probably get by if you did not speak their language, just by using body language, hand gestures and charades. But realistically, you would be best to learn at least a little of their language to help you and the child to communicate in the beginning.

Once the two of you are communicating and you have made it clear to them that you will love and care for them and give them everything that they will need to feel safe and loved and they will be a part of your family forever. Then when you have finally earned their respect, they will now likely be more apt to want to learn your language.

Children are incredibly resilient and adaptable, you will be amazed at how much of an issue language is NOT for them. They often pick up on a language VERY quickly.

Go out and get some simple books that you can read to them A LOT. Read to them many times throughout the day, read the same books to them over and over. Let the child pick which ones they would like you to read, even let them give it a try.

Encourage them to spend time with children of the same or different ages. Don’t just sit them in front of the TV and expect them to entertain themselves or learn a new language in this way. Interact with them and talk with them as much as possible.

Talk with them in a mature sounding tone of voice, but explain things to them like you would with a younger child. They will pick up on your language and you will soon be communicating fine verbally.

Another thing you could do is, check with your new child’s school and inquire whether or not they offer special classes in your preferred language.

So as adoptive parents, you should not shy away from older child adoption just because the child does not speak the same language as you do. Don’t worry, children absorb languages easily. It may take a couple of years before they are fluent, but they will quickly catch on to the basics. A young child can easily handle 3 or 4 languages….so 2 shouldn’t be a problem.

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