9/21/09

Let it be known........



The MOST important word ever to teach your new kindergarten children who MIGHT speak only Chinese, Arabic, Korean or Japanese - and not a bit of English??








Bathroom.

51 comments:

Brian Miller said...

lol. someone have an accident? ewww.

Bethany said...

Aww. I know how you feel. One of our little boys (Indian) doesn't think he can use the bathroom in our room unless he asks- and he doesn't like to ask. LOL!!

Maureen@IslandRoar said...

As a Peds nurse, that was always one of the first questions on all our admissions. VERY important info for any kid but especially if they can't speak English...

Anonymous said...

Hope you guys have a clothing exchange box in the classroom!!! That would be one important word!! Poor kid!

Secretia Teller said...

Hi Vodka Mom, and thanks for the new vocabulary word "disausted" must mean both disgusted and exhausted. Get some rest, feel better, come visit me, and see ya tomorrow!

Secretia

Anonymous said...

lol.....so funny...at least for those of us reading this, maybe not so much for the kids who cant say the word..;)

peewee said...

My Niece used to just scream "PEE'S COMIN' OUT!'

I mean, whichever is easier.

Anonymous said...

AW! Who was the unfortunate no doubt the immportance of the potty room~

Laura Marchant said...

Very true my friend. Very true!

Vodka Logic said...

Funny, hope there were no accidents.
xx

Anne said...

I'm guessing the 'visual' may be the same in every language... You know, the grabbing of the crotch along with the potty dance?

I've only had one accident so far this year. Phew.

flutter said...

word.

Lawyer Mom said...

El Bano, baby, or the water closet, or better yet, the loo.

All sound much more romantic than the American "restroom."

Joanie said...

It's THE word you should learn in any language no matter where you go.

mo.stoneskin said...

Surely it isn't that important. If they are standing there in that 'small kid busting' knees-together sort of way, with a pained expression on their face then you should be able to hazard a guess. Then in the meantime you can teach them more important words like 'football' and 'beer'.

Formerly known as Frau said...

Yes I couldn't agree more!

Mrs. E said...

You are a wise woman!!

Jan said...

Hmmmm. I think I, er, smell an accident.

Ron said...

I think I read that in "A Dummy's Guide to Living in the US"

Liz Wilkey (a.k.a. A Mom on Spin) said...

Now you can't argue with that universal truth, can ya???

mommakin said...

When my kids entered preschool, that was one of the questions we had to answer - how do they let you know they need to use the bathroom? Seems like it might be a useful question in kindergarten, too...

♥ Braja said...

That certainly has merit....

The Peach Tart said...

Wow. How do you even teach them if they don't know English?

unmitigated me said...

Oh, LOL! Sorry, I am laughihg ag the "How do you teach them if they don't know English?" question. Welcome to the world of a teacher! Try 6th grade social studies with a japanese speaker! Good thing we love 'em.

Also, I believe the pee-pee dance is universally recognized.

blognut said...

Ah... the things we take for granted.

I'll bet bathroom is on your kindergarten word wall now, isn't it?

Rick Daley said...

However, they invariably learn "accident" first.

JennyMac said...

Haha..this sounds like wise "hindsight" advice.

Dee-Zigns Handcrafted Jewelry said...

So true :). I must always know where the closet bathroom or "loo" is. It's a very important room in a home, business, or on the road!

The pale observer said...

Great advice!!! Years ago I worked in a day care centre in a high immigrant area of Toronto... this was definitely the first word we taught!!!

Love your blog - I noticed your comment on another blog and LOVED your blog name so i had to visit!!!

Will be back!!!

All the best
Holli in Ghana

SkylersDad said...

I missed the first day of kindergarten and peed out by the school buses until I was caught. I didn't know where the bathrooms were and was too scared to ask.

justmakingourway said...

Bless you for what you do! I'm having a hard enough time training a stubborn English speaking three year old to let me know when she needs to go to the bathroom. I don't envy you!

Kim said...

My ex-brother in law travels A LOT internationally. He knows how to say "I'll have a beer" and "He's paying" in a gzillion languages. Hopefully he can ask for the bathroom, too!

Jennifer Juniper said...

Sometimes this sort of advice can only be dispensed after a bit of experience...You can find some paper towels under the sink ;)

the mama bird diaries said...

Genius!

That must be so scary for that kid.

Margo said...

too funny. What a horrible thing to not be able to communicate! bathroom should have a universal word like "minibars" do.

Everyday Goddess said...

Isn't there an international sign language option?

Single Mom Guru said...

Start with the basics!

LiteralDan said...

Second? Vomit.

Mainly a midwife said...

My daughter's Kindergarten teacher has them put their hand in the air, make a fist and shake it back and forth. I don't know if it's correct sign language but it seems to work for everyone.

justsomethoughts... said...

isn't there a universal dance?

Lynn said...

Uh-OH

Midlife Roadtripper said...

"Bathroom."

Absolutely the easiest question a teacher will ever answer.

Irish Gumbo said...

"Wo ist die Toiletten?! Schnell, schnell!"

How do you "oops" in Arabic?

Anonymous said...

yup... should be an international phrase

Smart Mouth Broad said...

ou est la bibliotheque? Oh no, that's the library. *sigh* That won't help.

Jocelyn said...

They're clever. I bet they could also master "bring your teacher chocolate."

Grace Matthews said...

Ha...yeah that might be an important one for them to know. That and vomit.LOL

LadyFi said...

Definitely.... although sign language and crossed legs is often just as effective.

Hit 40 said...

Oh... I hope they did not pee on your floor!!

kanishk said...

s a Peds nurse, that was always one of the first questions on all our admissions.
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Mercy Langille said...

You will definately teach this word after you have to clean up a "mess".