After the first couple of weeks, Remi was able to recognize and label different animals, foods, and other everyday things in English! What she didn't recognize from her story books or shows, Ronnie and Connie would point out for her. She was learning so many words every day.
Remi Has to Go
I see mommy?
After the first month, Remi was able to understand sentence structure of questions, and even answer the common questions that she was asked every day. At first, Connie thought that hotdog was all Remi knew how to say. It turns out, she just really likes hotdogs.
Reference
At this point, Connie was able to give Remi her choice of books at night. Since Remi now knew which each book was from Connie reading them every night, she was able to label them and even choose her own. Not just at story time, but also what food she wanted, what clothes to wear, and what show to watch.
It was bitter sweet when they had to take Remi to the airport. She was able to understand most things in English now. She was also able to ask her own questions and speak in simple sentences, just like she was able to do in Russian when she first got there. She really did learn fast.
You'll see mommy soon.
Bainbridge, C. (2022). How Do Children Learn Language? Very Well Family. Retrieved from https://www.verywellfamily.com/how-do-children-learn-language-1449116
Every night before bed, Connie read Remi a bedtime story. She would point to each word as she read them. She also pointed to all the animals and plants in the pictures as she showed Remi. Following Ronnie's example, she sounded each word out for her. Remi seemed to be enjoying the stories, Connie began to wonder if maybe she was really learning English!