The research is clear: bilingual learning for young children is valuable to their development. Young children’s brains develop at a rapid pace, and language learning is an important piece of their development that creates robust connections, making it more likely for the child to recall the language more easily and speak it more fluently. This is why early childhood is the perfect time for learning a second language in addition to the language used at home. And research shows that learning multiple languages early on has long-lasting benefits for children—far beyond their language abilities.
Children growing up speaking multiple languages are a diverse and growing population. They include dual language learners, or children who are learning a second language while continuing to develop their first language—often the language one or more of their family members speak in the home. Data show that in the United States, approximately one-third of young children under the age of 8 are dual language learners. Further, there are opportunities for bilingual early learning opportunities for children with parents who speak only English in the home. These include bilingual preschool or childcare programs, or bringing a bilingual childcare provider into the home. Regardless of what language children are learning, working towards learning two languages only benefits a child’s development and requires positive and supportive early learning environments that can help them thrive.
The Benefits of Language Learning
Being bilingual, bi-literate, or multilingual brings vast benefits to children and adults alike. Bilingual early learners are able to switch between two or more language systems as they think, creating more flexible and active brains. This can support thinking more abstractly and strengthening their ability to solve problems—including advancing skills such as solving math problems, focusing, remembering information, making decisions, and using logic. Further, research shows that individuals who can access more than one language in their brains are more equipped to discern between relevant and irrelevant information when analyzing information. Bilingualism bolsters long-term success as well, improving job prospects and one’s security in a fast-paced, global society.
Further, children learning both English and a language spoken in their home can create a bond to their culture and family, giving them the confidence to form new relationships and friendships, which is key to navigating a diverse society. Research also tells us that infants and young children raised bilingual exhibit better self-control, which is a big indicator of school success and an overall good trait in sustaining a healthy lifestyle.
Myths of Bilingual Early Learning
There are many misperceptions about learning a second language during a child’s earliest years. Here are some common myths and facts about bilingual early learning.
1. Infants and toddlers who learn more than one language experience delays in speech and language development.
The Facts: Both monolingual and bilingual children experience the same milestones in their language development. They both commonly speak their first words by age one and begin using two-word phrases by age two. Bilingual children may mix parts of a word from one language with parts from another language—or code-mixing—but it is not a reflection of a delay in language development.
2. Young children should learn one language completely before learning a second language.
The Facts: Young children are able to learn multiple languages simultaneously, which can have both short- and long-term benefits to their cognitive development.
3. Learning multiple languages can confuse young children.
The Facts: Young children who are bilingual may confuse grammar rules and vocabulary, yet this is part of their learning process. For example, if they speak Spanish in the home and are learning English in an early childhood program, they may find themselves saying “Quiero mas juice”—or “I want more juice” in English. While this may be confusing or worrisome to adults, this is a natural part of their language development.
4. Parents of bilingual children should speak with children in English rather than their home language.
The Facts: While it may seem that bilingual children will get more practice with English if their families speak English to them rather than their home language, this only limits the development of their home language. Parents of bilingual children should interact with their children in a language they are most comfortable with to support their bilingual language development.
Conclusion
As a bilingual and bi-literate person, I grew up in a household where my parents both spoke English and Spanish naturally and intertwined as they were raised. Being bilingual is an attribute that I cherish and appreciate more and more as I get older. I think the most incredible gift being bilingual gave me, and that research backs up, is that bilingual children and adults are more open-minded. Because those exposed to more than one language and culture are able to adjust better to environmental changes. Education through language about other cultures helps develop understanding, compassion, and empathy for others. And the great part is you don’t have to fluently speak another language to teach a child a second language.
There are a number of ways you can encourage speaking another language with your child. Take a look here!
- Listening to music
- Reading books
- Watching TV shows, movies, or short videos
- Playing games
- Signing up for language schools or programs, or finding a bilingual tutor or babysitter
- Speaking or sounding out words with flashcards
- Spending time with family or friends who speak another language
- Going to a museum or cultural outing
