Your Child: The Polyglot
How many languages do you speak? Wish it was more? How about giving that gift to your children? Studies show that languages are easier to learn the earlier in life you start.Early Language Learning
Apparently, learning a second language early in life primes a child’s mind and develops its intellectual potential. The first three years are when the mind is open and absorbing more than at any other time. The right brain, or image brain, is still in charge, and takes in everything around it. It’s best to set up as many positive learning experiences as possible in that time, to keep the child in tune with the joy of learning for later in life. By six or seven, the left brain is beginning to assert itself, bringing with it judgment, and the ability to decide what it does and does not want to learn.
One Example
Francois Thibaut, who founded the Language Workshop for Children, has parents and infants attend French language classes together. The exposure to words, phrases and songs, helps the children to have a greater enjoyment for learning in general later in life, as well as the obvious greater ease in learning to speak French fluently.
Want To Try It?
If you don’t already have two languages spoken in your home, or if you want to introduce even more languages, here are some options for you:
· In the background of daily activities, you can play foreign music or language CDs.
· Or as the focus of your play together, using puppets or flashcards or songs you sing together.
· Start a collection of foreign language videos: Lots of your child’s favorite DVDs are available in other languages, and you can even ask friends to pick some up for you when they are in foreign countries.
There is no limit to the number of languages you expose your child to as long as there is no expectation that your child will suddenly start repeating dialogues back to you in perfect Cantonese! Children will talk when they want to, and at their own level, so keep the lessons positive and fun, and that will help them to enjoy it, too!
Where To Start
There are tons of online language learning resources and opportunities for buying language tapes and DVDs. Whether specialized for children or not (Hey! Maybe you want to get in on the fun, too!), having different resources to use depending on your or your child’s mood, will prove an asset. If you’ve watched “The Little Mermaid” more than 20 times already, you’ll understand what we mean!
Have a great time, and “bon chance”!
