There is so much research that shows being bilingual or multilingual has many benefits. If you are parenting bilingual children, it’s important to support your child’s language learning for all languages you are teaching them.
There are different approaches to language exposure. Here are some methods you can use to teach your child two or more languages:
One parent, one language- each parent speaks a different language
Time/context dependent- language use depends on the context, situation, or environment. For example, one language for daycare and another when visiting grandparents.
Mixed languages- if both parents are bilingual and speak both languages at home.
Tips for bilingual language learning at home:
Give your child time. Languages are complex and change over time. They need time to learn, access, and use different vocabulary and grammatical systems.
You can also introduce a new language at any point. It’s never too late!
Don’t compare. Every bilingual and multilingual family is different and language proficiency changes over time depending on their exposure, needs, and use. It’s normal for your child to prefer one language over the other or experience some language loss in one as they learn the other.
Keep it positive. Be consistent and fun! A positive learning environment helps with learning and applying new words and experiences.
If you have concerns or questions about your bilingual or multilingual child’s language development, book a free consultation today.
Comments