Just picture your child greeting their grandparents in one language and continuing talking with their friends in another. Your child will be introduced to so many various avenues linguistically and culturally by being a bilingual child. You’re providing them with the keys to two different worlds in which they may learn to communicate, connect, and thrive. And the best time to start is in their early childhood.
How Children Learn Languages: Natural Acquisition versus Structured Learning
How do children learn these languages precisely? There are two major methods of learning: natural acquisition and structured learning.
By natural acquisition, we mean that most of us acquire our first language through casual communication in an environment surrounded by the presence of language. The words, phrases, and rules of grammar are unconsciously picked up by simply hearing and using the language in context at home, in the playground, or at school.
Structured Learning: More formal methods of language learning include language classes, apps, or educational programs. While this might sound a little inflexible, structured learning can also prove to be quite successful, but usually when combined with natural acquisition.
Parent Tips: Encouraging Language Learning at Home
You needn’t be a linguist to be able to help your child go on the journey of bilingualism. Check out these simple tips that you can follow:
- Make It Fun: Learning another language does not need to be a chore. You can get the second language into your child’s playtime through singing together, playing games, and telling stories.
- Consistency: Try to establish some sort of routine in which both languages are used consistently. This may be in the form of speaking one language at home and another when at school, or even setting aside certain days or times for each language.
- Encourage Interaction: Allow your child to interact with native speakers of the target language as much as possible through family, playdates, or community groups.
- Be Patient and Supportive: Language learning is a journey, and celebrating the little steps in progress is important. On some days, your child might jumble words up, or when trying to say something in the second language might not articulate well, and that is absolutely okay.
Challenges and Solutions: How to Address Common Concerns
Bilingualism can be quite challenging to support in young children. Well, don’t worry because in the following, we come up with solutions to help you encounter these:
- Mixing Languages: Most bilingual children mix languages at an early stage. This is quite natural in the process of learning, and they will learn to separate them in due time. If necessary, make a soft correction without much fuss over this issue.
- Finding the Time: In busy homes, it is hard to find the time to focus on language learning. It should be incorporated into your daily routine, such as cooking, shopping, etc. Even a little time, as much as a few minutes per day, makes all the difference.
- Limited Resources: If you find that it is hard to find the resources you need in the second language, join an on-line community, language exchange group or app to fill in what might be missing in your community.
Long-term Benefits of Bilingualism
Raising a bilingual child is considered one of the best investments parents can make for their children’s future. Beyond cognitive flexibility and other proximal benefits, including better communication, bilingualism opens horizons to new cultures friendships and greater opportunities.
Want more tips and resources on how to encourage bilingualism in early childhood? Follow us on Instagram @PodarPrepOfficial or log onto our website Podar Prep. Give your child the ‘power of language’ – the gift of bilingualism. Enrol now.
