Multilingual Montessori 8. Sonia Cagle, an American Mother in Sweden
6 snips
Nov 10, 2021 Sonia Cagle, an American mother raising her kids in Sweden, shares her adventure of adapting to a new culture. She discusses the joys and challenges of teaching her children Swedish while comparing American and Swedish education systems. Sonia highlights the importance of outdoor play in Sweden, the surprising parenting practices she values, and how they align with Montessori principles. Her insights into family-friendly policies and community support evoke a desire to embrace a Swedish lifestyle, making listeners consider a move to this welcoming country!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Swedish Birthday Traditions
- Sonia's mother celebrated birthdays the Swedish way with flags, flowers, and cake, which Sonia didn't realize was Swedish until moving to Sweden.
- Sonia had a fascination with Swedish as a child despite not speaking it, showing early cultural connection.
Practice Swedish Despite Mistakes
- When learning Swedish, embrace speaking it even if imperfect, as kids will correct and encourage you.
- Try switching between English and Swedish at home to foster bilingualism and reflect children's language preferences.
Children's Independence in Sweden
- Swedish school system fosters independence by allowing young children to travel alone, like five-year-olds walking home from soccer.
- This nurtures alertness and confidence but can surprise parents from more protective cultures.
