Whether it’s French, Mandarin or your family’s oft-neglected native tongue, knowing another language is a skill many parents want their (obviously brilliant) tots to have under their belt.
Author and linguistics expert Barbara Zurer Pearson, Ph.D., delves into the various reasons behind bilingualism in her new book, Raising a Bilingual Child: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents. Below are some of her tips for getting started.
Start young if you can. You want your language habits–in two languages–to be well established by the time your child is aware of choices.
Keep it fun. Children have to speak one language, but they must want to speak another one.
Praise, praise, praise. Remark often how wonderful and special it is to speak two languages. Praise the child’s (and other people’s) bilingual abilities.
Make time for the minority language. You don’t need extra time for it, but in the course of the activities of daily life, some routines should take place in the “other” language–consistently, routinely, and over a long period of time.
Don’t do it all by yourself. Language is a group activity. Find others to be language models for your child–other children are often the best motivators. Take advantage of immersion schools, camps, playgroups and travel opportunities.
