According to social science experts, the heart of any culture is its language. When you learn the language of a particular nation or community, you’re privy to an intimate look at it. In time, you can become an insider, with a deep understanding of the group’s values and behaviors. Now, imagine having this insight into two different worlds at the same time. The personal and developmental benefits would be substantial, which is why you can give your child a rare gift by helping them learn a second language. Bear in mind, the earlier they begin studying, the easier the additional language is to master. So, what can you do to assist your child with the learning process? Read this informative blog post for some excellent suggestions.
Join the Party
As a parent, you are your child’s role model. They copy what you say and do, which is precisely how they learn to speak their native language. If you genuinely appreciate the benefits of being bilingual and want them for your child, you might decide it’s worth it to learn a second language with them. Read the following item for more details.
To help your child solve math problems, you need to be able to do arithmetic. If you want to teach them to read and write, you have to be literate yourself. And what about foreign languages, do you have to speak a language in order to help your child acquire it?
Yes and no.
Here’s the secret:
If you have already mastered the basics of the foreign language your child is learning, it will certainly be much easier to help them by learning together with them.
Grab this opportunity to master the basics of a foreign language with your child. Read more at Allison Academy
As the article makes clear, there are lots of benefits for you, as well, if you are bilingual. Don’t miss the chance to create a double-positive experience for you and your little one.
Use Multimedia
Your children are probably tech natives, fully immersed in technology from birth. In fact, they may be more knowledgeable about your gadgets than you are. You can use the fact that they’re so comfortable with technology to enhance their learning of a second language. This article explains how:
In using multimedia formats such as videos and animations, children often lack opportunities to put what they have learnt into practice (Lytle, Garcia-Sierra and Kuhl, 2018). Instead, children need interactions with different fluent speakers of the second language so that they can use it in social, functional situations. Such interactions could take place in-person or via online platforms such as video chats or Facetime.
With the prevalence and convenience of mobile devices, we can use them to maximise children’s language learning:
Use video chats/ Facetime functions with others who speak the second language
Watch a show together with your child and discuss what happened. You could pre-empt them with the questions that you would ask, so that they can look out for them while watching.
Use a variety of multimedia materials (e.g. interactive games, eBooks) in which you would also have a chance to actively participate in the process. Read more at SPD
Like the old adage says, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Apply the same principle to helping your tech-savvy child learn more quickly and easily.
Let Them Learn Through Play
Studies prove that children learn best through play activities. As you plan to support your child in learning a second language, consider how effective it will be to weave language learning into play. The writer below takes a good look at it.
For a young child learning language is full of one-on-one interactions. There are repeated fun and engaging opportunities for language building through play, songs and books. These are high-quality and high-quantity experiences that provide a child with strong language skills. Adults and even older children do not have the same amount of time to devote to learning language.
Learning to speak two languages is like any other skill, it takes practice and time. However, children who experience two languages from birth can become native speakers of both languages. Provide your child with opportunities to hear and practice using both languages, especially in everyday situations. Read more at TSCPL
If you make language learning fun and exciting, your child will look forward to immersing themself in it. That’s the heart of our educational philosophy at SPANISH FOR FUN! On each of our four Triangle-area campuses, you will find a Spanish immersion program that allows children to experience Spanish language and culture through daily play-based activities. Get in touch with us today to schedule a tour of any of our locations, two are in Raleigh, one is in Cary and the other is in Wake Forest. Call 919-881-1160 or complete the contact form on our website to set your appointment. We look foward to showing you why your chld will thrive with us.