More Kai stuff.
He has consistently rejected any Mandarin speaking person. We have never heard him speak any Mandarin. He hates Chinese food and wants nothing to do with photos from China. When he tries new words he barely moves his mouth and we can't get him to use the first consenents on words. We had come to the conclusion that he wasn't speaking Manarin in China and that people hadn't really talked to him because he doesn't seem to know how to move his mouth to talk. We were thinking we had a super, duper, really, really long way to go with his speech.
It's clear he understands us. And he responds appropriately most of the time. It's getting him to enunciat that is the trickiest part.
I've read that at his age he should be able to have basic communication after six months of immersion. We're nearing the six month mark and we're no where near a full on conversation. That said, on any given day communication is the least of our problems.
So, at the park on Sunday night and the wildest thing happens.
A Chinese Gramma, Mama and little boy around 2 show up. The little boy is trying to play with Luk and Luk is just avoiding him and walking away. Kai leaps in to protect Luk from the intrusion and yells at the little boy in Mandarin. Fei and I were keeping an eye on him. The Mama was staying close and talking to Kai who was now yelling at her. He seriously wanted them to go away. I would normally intervene but Fei and I were enthralled with watching. His speech was clear and loud and expressive. I finally let the Mom know we didn't know he could speak Chinese. She said he uses little words but is clear. She told us he didn't want her son to play with his brother. We had a nice visit. She said it took her 8 years to speak English and her Mom has learned none. She thought Kai's English was pretty good.
And then miraculously the next day his English was better.
I'm not sure if it really did improve or if some of my worries were laid to rest and that changes how I perceive the situation.
Kids are amazing.
