One of the easiest ways to help your children thrive in life is by teaching them more than one language. This is not confusing for babies and toddlers; In fact, hearing different languages helps your brain development! Children’s brains are designed and prepared to learn several languages, especially during the first years. In fact, scientific research indicates that children are born with the ability to identify the sounds of each language they hear. Now is a great time to talk, read and sing with your children in multiple languages.
Those who learn two languages tend to have greater working memory, reasoning ability, flexibility and problem solving. So, encourage grandparents to speak in their native language or take your kids to the library for a bilingual Storytime – the more they hear, the better! In addition to learning more than one language, your children need to learn about other cultures, especially your family’s cultural roots, which will enrich their lives and help them grow. Scientific studies indicate that children are born with the ability to identify the sounds of each language they hear and, as they grow, they concentrate their skills on the languages they hear most frequently. Learning more than one language at the same time is not confusing for young children. On the contrary, this helps them interrelate various linguistic systems, also increasing brain functioning. Switching from one language to another gives them a greater ability to analyze their environment more efficiently. Knowing more than one language can expand your career opportunities and even maintain your mental acuity well into the later years of life!