Children learn a great deal when they’re young. Not only are they developing unique personalities and learning how to walk and talk, but they’re also being taught how to identify colors, read, write, and interact with the world around them.
Learning so much in a short space of time can seem overwhelming, which is why you might not like the idea of loading your child up with extra tasks like learning a second language. However, teaching your child a second language while young can be beneficial for some of the following reasons.
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Teaching your children the basics like colors, shapes, and the alphabet can be time-consuming enough without having to help them with a second language that you, yourself, might not be familiar with. However, you don’t have to do it alone. Educational facilities like World Kids School are available to help with learning languages like Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. Enroll your child in a language immersion program, which is available for a broad range of age groups, and you can ensure they’re learning a language in a helpful and valuable way.
Learning Is Easier When They’re Younger
While you might think that waiting until your children are older and have mastered their first language is the best option for learning a second language, teaching them while they’re young can be easier.
Studies have found that it’s best to start learning a second language before the age of 10 to become completely fluent and before 18 years old to learn a new language with excellent grammar. It’s believed that language-learning abilities decline from age 18 due to social changes and continuing brain development.
To Retain Family Culture
More than 40 million people in the United States were born in another country, and 42% of those 40 million speak Spanish at home. If a child is born into a Spanish-speaking family in the United States, they may stand a better chance of retaining their family culture if they can speak their family language and English.
Maximize Their Future Job Opportunities
While you’re likely not thinking about your children’s career options when they’re still young, it can be worth knowing that learning a second language can maximize their future job opportunities. Speaking Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, or another language might allow them to take up jobs working as translators, tour guides, and interpreters. There’s also potential for them to earn more than people who can only speak one language.
Boost Problem-Solving Skills
Problem-solving skills can be valuable in our personal and professional lives, and we can develop them at any age. However, studies have shown that being bilingual can sometimes make you a better problem-solver from a young age. One study found that toddlers who speak two languages can solve a particular problem better than their peers who only know one language.
As daunting as it can be to teach your child a second language while they’re still trying to master their primary language, it can often be worth it in the long run. Putting in the effort now might mean they learn a new language easier, become better problem-solvers, have more job opportunities, and retain their family culture.
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