Learning a Second Language at an Early Age

Young kids can learn a language naturally. They can pick it up unconsciously. They are born with the ability to imitate pronunciation. From a young age, learning a second language like Spanish can have some perks and parents play a role in helping their child learn the language with ease.

Starting Early

Studies have suggested benefits to being exposed to a second language as a child. They include the following:

• Ability to pick up language in plays easily. Young kids can learn through play. They pick up language by engaging in an activity they share with an adult. After making sense of the activity, they get meaning from the language shared by an adult.

• Ability to communicate effectively later. Children who grow up in homes that speak various languages tend to better communicate than those exposed to one language. Studies show that kids who hear more than the language spoken at home are used to carefully watch someone who speaks what to whom.

• Ability to use their creativity and problem-solving skills. Research revealed that bilingual students outperform those who speak just one language in terms of problem-solving and creativity. This link may have to do with the mental alertness necessary for switching from a language to another.

Introducing your Child to the Second Language

One of the best ways to begin is speaking the language to your child at home while going about your everyday routine. This makes learning feel natural and casual and your child will soon start to pick up some of the words and phrases they hear from you.

But remember that kids and even adults usually go through a silent period as they try to learn a new language. This can even happen if your child is exposed to Spanish Bilingual Immersion in Washington DC. So make sure you extend your patience and continue to help your child even if it seems like he is having a problem catching on.

Creating Good Language- Learning Experiences

A young kid finds it harder to pick up Spanish if he is not given the right kind of experience, along with the support of adults. Early Steps Bilingual Preschool, which offers a High Quality Early Childhood Education Program, wants to share how parents can help their kids have good language-learning experiences.

• Make your child feel secure. When learning a new language, your child has to feel secure and know why he has to learn the second language.

• Use activities your child is interested in. Learning the language must be associated with some interesting daily activities on what your child already knows. These include sharing on Spanish picture books, having a Spanish snack or saying a rhyme in Spanish.

• Incorporate adult language to activities. You can do this by giving a commentary about what’s happening and using dialogues.

To ensure that your child gets a quality bilingual education from a Preschool in Virginia, please visit www.earlystepsbilingualpreschool.org.