It is fascinating to see how children learn things. What motivates and inspires them. We have tried to teach my nephew English words since he was two. He never wanted to. If we pointed at the airplane and said 'In English this is airplane', he would look strangely at us, laugh and say: 'Näää, flygplan!' We were going no where.
This changed last Christmas, right before his fourth birthday. We had bought him a car, a blue one. It was a speaking car. You pushed it down, it said an English phrase and then off it went! We bought it for two reasons: he loves cars and he loves the color blue. We did not even think about the pedagogical implications.
He liked the car when he opened it, but was distracted by all the other presents. It was not until a few days later we found out what he really thought. The entire family went over to my sister's place. As we step in the door there he is; waiting for us with a big smile on his face and the car in his hand. Before we even get a chance to take our shoes off he has put the car on the floor, pushed it down... and as it says 'Speed, I am speed', so does he! He does it a second time: 'The checkered flag is mine!'. And again, and again, and again. All the time with a big, proud smile on his face. He had learnt English! Then he turns to my husband and says: 'Bilen pratar samma språk som du!'. And yes, he was right. The car spoke that very same language. And now so did he. So he showed us again. And then one more time. And then again, again, again...
He heard English from a car and learnt it so that he could show us.
Fascinating.
Adorable.
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