Raising children to be bilingual has many benefits, from increased job prospects to enhanced problem-solving skills. However, it also requires dedication and effort from parents. This article provides tips and resources to help you successfully raise your child to be bilingual.
The Benefits of Bilingualism
Being bilingual has been shown to improve critical thinking, multitasking, and listening skills in children. It also gives them an edge in an increasingly globalised world, where knowing multiple languages is advantageous. Children who speak two or more languages often have enhanced creativity, mental flexibility, and ability to problem solve. Later in life, they tend to have higher-earning job prospects too.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Bear in mind that full fluency in two languages takes consistent effort over many years. Don’t expect a preschooler to speak like a native in both languages right away. Bilingualism is a long-term goal requiring dedication. Maintain realistic expectations and celebrate small successes along the way.
Creating Opportunities for Exposure
Increase exposure to both languages by interacting with your child in the minority language at home. Read books, sing songs, and speak it during playtime and daily routines. Outside the home, look for language classes, community groups, or play dates to expand your child’s exposure. If opportunities to use the less common language are limited where you live, utilise language-learning apps, videos, books, and vacations to immerse your child in that language and culture.
Being Consistent
Stick to speaking one parent, one language as much as possible, so your child associates each language with a particular parent. This avoids confusing them by switching languages constantly. Set times for each language, such as mum speaks French and dad speaks English. Or designate certain activities for each language, like reading bedtime stories in one language but singing songs in the other. Consistency and routine are key.
Make Learning Fun
Incorporate the minority language into fun activities like cooking, singing, arts and crafts, and games. Surround your child with that language by labelling household objects, using picture books, and listening to music in that language.
Praise your child for using the language and don’t criticise mistakes. Maintain a positive environment where your child feels comfortable speaking either language.
Resources for Parents
Here are helpful resources for raising bilingual kids:
- Bilingual parenting books and blogs
- Language classes for kids at community centres
- Bilingual nurseries and preschools
- Children’s books, movies, TV shows in both languages
- Language apps like Duolingo
- Online videos in the minority language
- Immersion vacations to countries where the language is spoken
- Play dates with other bilingual children
Tips for Foster Carers
When fostering a bilingual child with Orange Grove Foster Care, keep in mind the following advice:
- Find out all you can about the languages the child knows. This helps you support their bilingual development.
- Communicate with the child in whichever language they are most comfortable with. Don’t force them to speak the majority language if they are still learning.
- Provide books, media, toys, etc. in both languages to reinforce the minority language.
- Connect with community groups, places of worship, or neighbours who speak the child’s minority language. This gives the child opportunity to use both languages.
- Be patient, positive, and celebrate all their linguistic milestones, big or small.
- Work closely with their school and social worker to best support the child’s bilingual needs.
Raising a bilingual child is enriching but requires dedication. Follow these tips and use the resources outlined to set your child up for bilingual success. With patience and consistency, your child can reap the lifelong rewards of speaking two or more languages.
