When we decided to enroll our toddler last March 2025 for the last quarter of the school year, I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. She was only 21 months back then and it’s overwhelming to think that I will leave her with other people.

It was only about three months—just enough to let her experience being at school or nusery. And being exposed to other kids and different activities in those three months showed us so much growth.

At first, she was hesitant about everything..  hesistant to get close to her new teachers, to interact with her classmates, the playground, even afraid to go on the slide. But slowly, with encouragement, time and proper guidance, she turned into the confident little one who climbs up and zooms down with a smile. 

Seeing her joy in being with other kids, playing outdoors and learning new things every day made me realize how ready she was for these experiences. It helped me to let go for some hours in a day and has given me some free time for myself. It was difficult at the beginning since I am used being with her 24/7 and I was used to be the “first” witness of all her “firsts”.

Of course, she already knew her basics before starting school, but what touched me most was watching her blossom—socially, emotionally and academically—in such a short span of time.

She also found so much joy in music. She loves to sing, she’s also starting to dance and act out songs.. and now she can actually follow along.  🥰 She often knows how the melody and lyrics flow, even if the words aren’t pronounced clearly yet. As someone who loves listening to music and to sing, watching her light up with her favorite songs and sing along has been such a sweet surprise. 😌💖

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Then came the first week of September 2025, marking the start of a brand-new school year. This time, she’s even more excited. At her school, the children have three days of pure French and two days of English classes each week. Over the weekend, I overheard her saying “bonjour” and then mixing it naturally with English words. She often says “merci” and it’s such a joy to see her playfully switching between languages.

And here’s the fun part—she’s not just bilingual. She’s actually trilingual. At home, with our helper and with family and friends, we still speak Tagalog. I love that she’s growing up exposed to three languages, picking them up so naturally at this age. It feels like a gift for her future.

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Here’s what this trilingual journey is teaching me:

1. Confidence is a bigger win than perfection.

My daughter’s biggest progress wasn’t reciting the alphabet. It was seeing her go from timid to fearless. Language and learning flow naturally when a child feels safe and happy.

2. Mixing languages is normal.

Whether it’s “wala na apples” or “merci po,” I’ve learned that code-switching at this age is part of how her brain processes different languages.

3. Playschool is about more than academics.

The playground, songs, messy crafts and group activities all shape who she’s becoming. The social skills and confidence she gained are just as important as the lessons inside the classroom.

4. Support at home matters.

Reading books, singing songs or chatting around the house keeps all three languages alive. What she learns in school blends with what we do at home.

5. Every small win is worth celebrating.

Whether it’s sliding down on her own, saying “Merci” without hesitation or making a new friend, these moments remind me that growth comes in steps, not leaps.

As a mom, watching her grow trilingual in such a natural way is humbling. It’s not perfect — and I don’t expect it to be — but it’s beautiful to witness. Nursery school, gave her the space to explore, and now I get the gift of seeing her confidence bloom in three languages.

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