Celebrating Milestones in My Daughter’s Bilingual Language Journey

Celebrating Milestones in My Daughter’s Bilingual Language Journey

Watching your child’s language skills develop is a joy for any parent, but when they’re learning two languages, the journey is especially fascinating! My daughter has been growing up bilingual, learning both English and Russian, and it’s been incredible to observe the ways she combines, separates, and plays with each language as she grows. Here, I’ll share some of the key milestones in her language and social development — moments that have made us laugh, celebrate, and appreciate the unique path of raising a bilingual child.

Key Language Milestones and Moments

1. First Expressions of Independence: 19 Months
   At 19 months, my daughter made a big leap in her language development by confidently saying “No” in English. It was clear she was starting to understand her own preferences, and “No” quickly became one of her favorite words!

2. First “Yes” — in Russian: 26 Months
   At 26 months, she started saying “да” (Yes) in Russian. Now, whenever she agreed to something, it was “да.” This was one of the early signs that she was beginning to understand context, using “Yes” in one language while “No” remained in English.

3. Mixing Languages in Adorable Ways
   Interestingly, she uses “Yes” in Russian and “No” in English. It’s as if each language has its special role, and she intuitively assigns words based on her natural grasp of each language.

4. Asking for More in Russian
   Around this same time, she also started using the Russian word for “more” when she wanted more food. It’s amazing to see how quickly she connected this simple but essential word with her needs, strengthening her sense of communication.

5. First “Cheeeeese!” in English
   At 26 months, another cute moment arrived when she started saying “Cheeeeese!” in English for when she wanted a snack. I did it once playing with her and she loved it, I said 'Would you like some "Cheeeeeese!" in a playful tone. That was enough for it her to love saying this word.

6. Counting in English
   By two and a half, she’d started counting in English up to three. This early counting was a proud moment, reflecting both her cognitive growth and her comfort with English numbers.

7. Growing Social Skills and Adventurous Spirit
   Around the same time, she began showing more interest in socializing with other children at the park. She’d approach them, want to play, and sometimes even touch them in friendly curiosity. Her adventurous side also blossomed, as she became bolder in exploring her environment, pushing limits, and even bumping into things as she tested her coordination. I see these as signs of her growing confidence, brain development, and her expanding world!

Reflecting on the Journey

Raising a bilingual child is rewarding but also a learning curve for us as parents. We’re seeing firsthand how two languages can shape not only how she speaks but also how she thinks, interacts, and grows socially. Watching her experiment with words and observing her social and physical exploration makes me appreciate the small yet meaningful moments in her development.

Each milestone, whether it’s a new word, a counted number, or an act of independence, is a reminder that she’s absorbing both languages in her own unique way. I look forward to what’s next on this incredible journey!

More blogs coming soon...