This is an extended version of an answer I gave to parents who asked me for advice about their 7 yo boy turning silent. One or the biggest myths about bilingual children is that they are all like sponges and that they become fluent in no time… Fact is, that during language acquisition, children go […]
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Saint Nicholas’ legend vs Santa Claus…
Sinterklaas or Nikolaus, San Nicola etc. in European countries is based on the legendary figure of St Nicholas. Born in 271 AD to a rich Greek family in Asia Minor in in the city of Patara (Lycia et Pamphylia), he was very religious from an early age. His parents died by an […]
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How to keep it simple during the festive season…
Many international families use to travel from one family to the other, visit extended family and friends in very short time, trying to “do it right” – or they choose to stay and have family visiting. Especially during this time of the year, cultures tend to collide: everyone wants to celebrate the way he or she was used to, […]
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Sirens in the Netherlands: every first Monday of the month
Every first Monday of the month, you’ll hear sirens at 12:00 (noon) for 1 minute and 26 seconds in whole Netherlands. For many expats this alarm is very frightening. Please don’t worry. It is only a practice alarm (it’s called Waarschuwingsstelsel). It has nothing to do with attacks from an enemy but it is a […]
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Take off your shoes… or not?
In many countries like Germany, Switzerland, Skandinavian countries, Turkey, Japan, Korea etc. it is common use to take off the shoes when entering someone’s home. In these countries it is considered a major faux pas to walk through a house with shoes on. This applies also to some places like daycares and schools in […]
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