Granny advice needed

If your daughter is not keen on the idea of Switzerland, it sounds like a recipe for disaster. From previous posts, it isn't the easiest relationship so unless your daughter is itching to join you, I would put the idea to her and then let her decide without any pressure.
Children develop at different rates and language acquisition might be delayed if he is unable to socialise because of lockdown. You talk about literacy issues but conversely, the most advanced talkers can have literacy issues too. I think you might be worrying too much on that front. I wonder how you think living with you will change his literacy ability unless you are intending to push him forward in some way. If so, I'd be wary of that as you can do more harm than good whilst having the best intentions.

Yes, I have 2 Spanish brothers for students at school. The eldest is 17 and is really struggling with his English. The youngest is 12 and with 20 minutes of extra help a day has long since surpassed his big bro.

Another anecdote - still in the Middle East, we had new neighbours who were Swedish, with 2 children aged about 5 and 6 at the time. The younger was roughly the same age as our dd1. Since they had no English at all at first, the English-speaking school would not accept them.

Besides playing a lot with our two, they were sent to an English-speaking play group - it took the younger child exactly one month before her English was good enough for the school.
The elder took a little longer, but within what seemed a very short time, nobody would ever have guessed that English wasn’t their mother tongue.
The ability of young children to simply ‘mop up’ another language is wonderful.
Such a shame that it goes off later!

My children moved house and country twelve times between birth and adulthood. The became adept at learning the dialects and foreign language (Spanish in their case) of wherever they lived. They did not enjoy moving to a strange place;learning the language was a minor and quite fun issue compared with learning how to enjoy themselves in the new place.

Language differcnce is less important than a fun habitat, friends their own age, and good teachers at school.

Chewbacca

You raise good points Callistemon but ultimately it has to be OP's daughter's decision as to whether she decides to up sticks and emigrate with her child. Much as OP might want this to happen, only the mother of the child can make the decision and her decision must be respected.

Yes, I should have added that.
Perhaps the mother will decide it's safer where they are in the UK and she may be right considering the risks.

If case rates drop here then things will start getting back to some kind of normal, definitely within a year I should think.
Nurseries should re-open and your DGS will be able to return and meet up with other children.

Speech delays do not inevitably lead to literacy problems. Presumably your DD chats with your DGS and he is absorbing it all even if he's not saying much yet.

Well I hope whatever is right for all of you becomes your reality gagajo
I too have one adult child and grandchildren with no relations apart from me for thousands of miles so I do understand your thinking ....... but this will be over and we will all be reunited at some point I refuse to NOT believe we ve come through the worst and although I know it’s not going to magically disappear I think before too long we ll look back on it all and scratch our heads as to what the heck was that

It isn't a pipe dream BlueBell. I am not overly fond of Suisse myself. It is just an idea that DD and I had to enable me to work here for a bit longer and for them to avoid the ravages of the UK covid lockdown. She is struggling being locked in and isolated with no one else to help with childcare. The rest of our family live over 300 miles away from her.

I am pretty sure it won't happen. I think the permit situation is too hard and finding a job with no French in an area with few to no ex pats is going to prove VERY hard.

Even if it happens, it will be a temporary thing. 1 year, or 2 maximum. If covid hadn't happened, it wouldn't be an idea at all.

So although DD isn't thrilled with the idea of Switzerland
Surely this is the kingpin of the whole question nothing to do with speech, travelling, saving them from the U.K. situation
Are you in your heart of hearts sure this isn’t your dream ?

Does the little boy not have a Daddy, they have a right to a child’s movements too
Would your daughter be able to work?

Is Switzerland really that safe ? especially with you working with children what if they had a spike ??

Look at your opening line I m considering bringing my daughter and grandson...... You havent said “ my daughter has suggested moving to be near me ....’

On the surface it all sounds wonderful and positive but I d be cautious that this isn’t your own pipe dream
Like most grandparents we have to accept partings you can’t take just adult families round the world with you
I m sorry to pour cold water on your idea perhaps I m just a more cautious person who looks at everything good and bad

Hetty I agree wasn’t Wilson Churchill the child that didn’t talk properly until he was 5 My friend was brought up bi lingual and stop talking for two years, however highly intelligent lady who later had a professional career that took her all round the world

(unless there are hearing problems involved)

Gagajo:

'As an English teacher I know that late speaking often means literacy issues.'

Really? I do wish that you'd correct the above. As a retired teacher, I'd disagree.

I don't think there will be a problem with your grandson ,I do wonder whether it could put a strain on your relationship with your daughter if you are all living together. Some families go well living together ,others not. You both should discuss this thoroughly before she makes the move.

You raise good points Callistemon but ultimately it has to be OP's daughter's decision as to whether she decides to up sticks and emigrate with her child. Much as OP might want this to happen, only the mother of the child can make the decision and her decision must be respected.

I've been thinking - are you sure this is a good idea? I know you would like to have your family near you but would they be safer there than here in the UK? You work in a school where you said they're not really adhering to the rules so that could be more risky, plus the travel to Switzerland which in itself could be a potential Covid hazard?
Presumably you would be living together too, working and your DGS in nursery?

The case rate in Switzerland is slightly higher than the UK although the death rate is lower but not by a vast amount.
(Worldometer)

It's hard for all children at the moment, not going to nursery or school and probably difficult for your DD trying to look after a toddler and working but they can stay safe at home even if that's not ideal.

Sorry to be Devil's Advocate but I just wonder what would be safest for them.

It isn't ideal Sue, that is for sure. But then covid...

Health insurance, as for me.

How would health cover work in Switzerland for them?

Our grandson is bilingual. You are a teacher i am sure you can help him enormously as well as lavish him with love. If his mother is keen go for it.

In general, I think moving abroad is a positive thing for children, my DD’s certainly benefited from the experience.

However, you’ve mentioned that you don’t get on with your DD, Gagajo. Would it be a wise move, if you’re in a situation where you are thrown together because she won’t have a social life to begin with? Will she be willing to learn a new language, too?

Daddima, your Dad was a very astute fellow. Thanks for the reason to laugh. I must try to remember that.

All 3 of my grandsons were slow to speak but by the time they were 6 they were all reading well and their speech was up to the standard of their peers. They have all done well for themselves and one of them is just finishing his Masters Degree. Lots of boys are slow to talk and I think taking him to Switzerland would only be a positive experience for him.

It is always a bonus for children who have the opportunity to learn at least one other language over their own first language. Kids pick up really quickly. All children develop at different ages and stages and measuring performance against age can actually work against development and lead to the youngster not wanting to talk or say certain words and phrases. Switzerland offers the youngster the chance to learn several languages and experience a very different way of life and perhaps blossom.

It's a great idea if your daughter is wanting that. But I wouldn't jump to conclusions with your grandsons speech. 3 is way to early to be concerned about speech. I was 7 before I spoke at all. Yet Literacy is one of my strongest subjects and always has been, I also have Receptive Bilingualism which means I can understand most languages So hear without been able to speak it. My speech and the Receptive Bilingualism were linked to autism and selective mutism. But it never affected my intelligence when it came to literacy at all, I'm not saying your grandson has autism as I've said he is 3 and speech comes at different rates for everyone. If you are concerned about his development speak to his doctor, they'll advise you as well as advising you on how a move may affect him.

My father often said that you spend the first couple of years longing for them to walk and talk, then the following years longing for them to sit down and shut up!

I apologise, I misunderstood the original post! I missed out the fact the suggestion included “daughter” ! Oops

My son was very late in speaking, when he was almost 2 I took him to a speech therapist. She said not to worry, when speech is delayed it’s sometimes because other parts of his brain are developing quicker. He didn’t speak properly till almost 3. He’s now 32, with a degree in nuclear physics, a fantastic job, can talk for England, and I’m so glad I took heed. If my mum said she was taking him away because he wasn’t talking yet, I’m afraid I’d have given her very short shrift.

What does your daughter say about this? Is there a father to the child who may object?

Also, the COVID rate in Switzerland is rising steeply, so it’s not necessarily safer than UK.