Raising Bilingual Children

In this rapidly changing world, the importance of raising multicultural children is on the minds of more and more American parents, and for good reason. The world, as we know it, is becoming more closely knit. Companies are leading this change, expanding various segments, subsidiaries and departments of their business overseas. This means that in addition to acquiring the right set of work skills, it will also be necessary for our children to speak a second and even third language to compete in this new world market.

Timing

Research tells us that the best time for acquiring language is, without question, from birth to kindergarten age. For this reason, it is important to take advantage of this extremely fertile learning period of a child’s life and incorporate foreign language activities into their daily or weekly routine.

Yet, teaching a second language does not come without its challenges, no matter if the child is growing up in a monolingual or multilingual home. Monolingual parents must depend on outside sources to teach their children, and multilingual parents must constantly perform a balancing act, making sure the child gets an equal dose of both languages.

Today, there are many ways to support the language learning process outside of the home. More than ever, preschools and childcare centers around the country are either offering full immersion language programs or are incorporating foreign language activities into their curriculum. These programs can be effective because they are consistent and done in groups with the child’s peers through fun activities such as music, creative movement and games.

Curiosity First

Once a child is intrigued by a new language parents should not see fluency as the goal. Rather, they should focus on the larger picture, seeing the experience as an expansion of the child’s world. Learning languages affords children a new way to begin exploring and embracing the differences in people of this world. In addition, it plants a vital seed for future language learning. Research shows that when children learn languages at young ages they are better able to speak with the correct inflections and accents of that language later, almost as if the sound of the language sears itself onto a young child’s brain.

In supporting the language learning process, monolingual and multilingual parents are both tasked with the important job of exposing their child to the second language as often and as consistently as possible. This takes time and consideration as the home environment must be set up in a way where the child can be surrounded by the target language. And while bilingual parents have an edge when it comes to creating a total immersion environment, single language parents can also set up learning centers in their home complete with games, flashcards, books and music in foreign languages that children can interact with.

Have Fun

Above all, though, learning a language needs to be a positive experience for the child. Emphasize the fun of communicating with others and the satisfaction that can bring, and you might just have a child whose love for language will last a lifetime. Don’t be surprised, however, when he or she hits you up to take a semester abroad in college.

Nanette Garcia is the co-creator of the Talk-n-Drum foreign language music program. She has taught the program for the past five years in more than 50 locations around Westchester and Manhattan.

How to Walk the Talk

So how do you get your child geared up for a global mindset when you aren’t a mastered linguist yourself?

• Classes – Foreign language programs for kids are a great way to introduce your toddlers to the world-at-large. There are many in our area that offer Spanish, French or even Mandarin lessons.

• DVDs – Can’t find a program near you? Why not purchase a language DVD for kids and watch it together. Practice using your new words around the house with each other.

“Bon soir, Sean.” “Zai jian, Ma Ma.”

• Games and Stories – There are many easy games designed to teach young learners the basics of a language. Bingo, one of the simplest, is available in several languages and can teach colors and basic words. You can also purchase children’s books in various languages to read at bedtime. Don’t worry if you don’t know the language yourself: the pictures will help you out.

• Cooking – Every culture has their own cuisine. Do some research, and have fun teaching your kids about the food and customs of various countries. Stage a Chinese tea party with your daughter and her friends. Make up a Mexican fiesta for your family. Have your kids help with the set up by making decorations for the fete. Turn it into a real event that kids can take part in and get excited about.

• Music – Kids love to dance and sing, and words set to music are often easy for kids to remember. Add some foreign ditties to your repertoire by buying CDs of children’s music to sing together or even stream some foreign and world-music radio stations online.

• Travel – When your family does take trips, try to venture further than the confines of the resort. Seek out authentic experiences like lodging with a home-stay family rather than at a hotel. Visit the markets and compare the produce and local delicacies to the ones you find at home. Look at vacation as a way to integrate your family into the world at large.