As parents, watching your child’s language skills blossom is a joy, and understanding how they learn can make this journey even more rewarding. Whether your child is growing up with one language or learning two languages - at the same time or sequentially, preschool years are a crucial time for developing communication skills.
For dual language learners, the preschool period offers a unique opportunity to become fluent in both languages, enhancing cognitive abilities and cultural awareness Let’s explore how this incredible process unfolds and how you can support your child every step of the way.
One language or two? A recap!
Research is clear: a child's brain can learn more than one language effectively. Studies from around the world show that children growing up bilingual learn to speak at the same rate as those learning one language.
Your child’s brain is wired to handle the challenge and thrive. Learning multiple languages does not cause confusion or delay. In fact, research supports the idea that it is easier to learn languages during early childhood.
Children can learn two languages at the same time right from birth. But they can also learn two languags sequentlially. When a child has strong skills in their first language, they can learn a second language more easily and perform better in school later on.
When your child learns the languages associated with your family’s culture, you are helping them develop a strong cultural identity and maintain connections to their family roots.
What strategies help children learn language?
- Use gestures and actions
- Use simple, everyday words
- Make important words stand out
- Use simple, short sentences when they don’t understand
- Slow down while speaking
- Repeat, repeat, repeat
- Talk about the here-and-now
- Talk about past or future events when they are using more language
- Set up times for your child to play with other children
What should I expect if your child is learning two languages?
Parents know very well that children develop at different rates while they are still following expected milestones. Families can also expect specific behaviours when exposing children to two languages.
- Babies learn at their own pace but should still follow the expected milestones for language acquisition. A bilingual child may develop their language skills at a different rate than a monolingual child but it may have nothing to do with the fact that the child is learning two languages at once. Bilingual children, just like monolingual children, should follow the expected language milestones. For example, your bilingual child should use 3-5 words at 12 months, use 20 words by the age of 18 months and use 150 words while also combining 2-4 words to talk.
- Vocabulary may vary for some time. A bilingual child's vocabulary in each language may be different than that of a monolingual child at one point in time. When children are learning two languages at the same time, they may have smaller vocabularies in one or both languages, compared to children learning only one language. However, when both languages are taken into consideration, bilingual children tend to have the same number of words as monolinguals. These differences are usually temporary. By the time most bilingual children enter school, their vocabulary development has caught up with monolingual children (if exposed to two languages at an early age!).
- Be consistent. Repetition and consistent exposure to each language are important factors for early dual-language learners. But as we all know, language learning is not linear. Families can offer repeated and consistent exposure to each language without being too rigid. The only rule that is important for families to follow is providing children with lots of language experience in both languages! Here are some ways to do this:
- “One parent - one language”: One parent speaks one language to the child (for example, Arabic is spoken by one parent) and the other parent speaks the other language to the child (for example, French).
- “One place - one language”: One language is spoken at home; the other at daycare or school. In this case, the child is getting lots of exposure to each language - one language at home (for example, Somali) and the second language (for example, French) at daycare
- “One activity – one language”: One language is spoken at home (for example, Mandarin) and the other language is spoken during one activity at home or in the community (for example, the parent uses English at bath time; the family attends story hour at the library in French).
- Expect a “silent period” when introducing a second language: When introducing a second language after your child has learned their first language (called sequential bilingualism), parents and early childhood educators can expect that the child will have a “silent period” up to 6 to 7 months in the second language. Meet 3-year-old Jamal: Jamal has been spoken to in Arabic since birth. He started at an English daycare last month. At home, the family will continue to use Arabic. At daycare, Jamal is not very talkative in English but he plays, is very social and is having a lot of fun with his friends. This is a learning period for Jamal; he is most likely trying to make sense of this new language. Jamal needs time and support (visual aids, gestures, repetition, simple language in English) to understand this new language before using it on his own. Once he does, Jamal will start using words and putting words together. For children just like Jamal who are learning a new language sequentially, it will be important that parents keep talking their first language at home. Remember that the child’s first language should continue to grow as they are learning a second language.
- “Code-switching” or mixing the two languages is normal. For children learning two languages, it is normal for them to use words from both languages in one single sentence. This mix of languages helps them keep the conversation going while replacing words they don't know or they can’t retrieve quickly. Don’t worry, this is not due to confusion related to learning two languages. This is actually very normal behaviour in bilingual speakers, even as adults. As your child becomes more comfortable and proficient in both languages, they mix less often .. until it becomes cool as teenagers to do so!
If you want to know more about learning more than one language, check out this resource: FAQ on First Language & Bilingualism and our E-learning module: Learning More Than One Language
Embrace the language-learning journey with your little one, whether they are mastering one language or two. Celebrate their progress, no matter how small, and know that you are playing a crucial role in their development. With your support and encouragement, your child will thrive and build a strong foundation for future learning. Here's to many joyful and bilingual moments ahead!
MORE frequently asked questions on first language and bilinigualism.
Why should children learn their first language?
When children have a strong first language base, they learn a second language more easily. They also do better at school with reading and writing.
My child is starting daycare/school in English. Should I start speaking to him in English at home instead of using my first language?
No, keep speaking your first language with your child. Children will forget how to speak and understand the first language if they don’t use it at home.
I use my first language with my child but he answers in English. What should I do?
Keep speaking your first language, even if the child answers in English. Just hearing the language helps your child learn his first language. Read books in your first language – even if they are written in English, name the pictures and tell the story in your first language. Play games in your first language – for example, playing “peek-a-boo” or “I spy with my little eye…”. This can be done while in the car or on the bus. Plan special activities or outings with family members in your first
language. Look for children’s programs in the community in your first language. Make it fun!
My child has a speech/language delay. Will speaking two languages make the delay worse?
No. There is no proof that children with a speech or a language delay will be more delayed if they hear two languages. However, they will have the same speech and language difficulties in both languages.
Learn more:
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Recognizing speech and language problems early on is the best approach!
Use the First Words Communication Checkup tool to know if your child is
meeting communication milestones. Refer online if necessary. For more information,
visit www.firstwords.ca or call Ottawa Public Health at (613) PARENTS.
