Parenting Factors in the Unique World of Bilingualism
"Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going." - Rita Mae Brown
Bilingualism is a cognitive skill that marks an individual's proficiency in the use of two languages. It is a compelling and increasingly common aspect of modern life that offers many rewards and cognitive advantages, especially when developed earlier in life. In the sphere of parenting, it serves as an essential tool in shaping young minds and enhancing children's linguistic abilities.
As parents, we often ask ourselves how we can manage our child's bilingual language development and what we can do to ensure our children live a positive and successful bilingual experience. Let's explore the parenting factors that influence a child's unique acquisition of multiple languages, in hopes that it might guide you in your bilingual parenting journey.
1. ACTIVE LANGUAGE EXPOSURE
One of the primary factors shaping bilingualism in children lies in active exposure to different languages. It is important to be consistently exposed to those languages from an early age to develop our linguistic abilities. While it is a common fear that introducing a second language may confuse children, studies have shown that young children have an exceptional capacity to differentiate between languages and grasp their nuances. Therefore, it is not only okay, but beneficial for parents to utilize diverse languages naturally, incorporating them into daily routines, storytelling, sing-alongs, and educational activities. TV shows, movies, and books in different languages can also supplement this exposure considerably. Let's keep in mind that in such activities, the child is more passive, being a mere listener. The best way to actively expose a child to languages is through social interactions. This active exposure enhances language dexterity and comprehension.
2. HOME LANGUAGE ENVIRONMENTS
The home environment plays a crucial role in children's bilingual development. The most studied method is the 'one parent, one language' method, aka OPOL, where each parent consistently communicates in a different language. It is the method that is most recommended to families, although it might not suit all family dynamics! The best method is to ensure a natural environment in which you, the parent, speak your most natural and valued language, so that the child naturally develops the skills in that language. Dynamic language environments encourage a child to practice different language structures, enhancing their conversational proficiency in different languages. Additionally, maintaining a balance between the two languages is important to establish a robust bilingual foundation. If you want to explore the bilingual parenting methods in depth and access my top 3 tips for a successful experience, download my free bilingual parenting guide HERE.
3. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT AND PATIENCE
Reinforcement plays a critical role in enhancing bilingual skills among children. It is important to remember that language acquisition is a long-term process; a journey. As such, patience and perseverance are key. Encouraging children when they grasp new concepts or accurately use words from a second language sparks enthusiasm, boosts confidence, and further motivates them towards bilingualism. This means reinforcing the child's trials even if they make pronunciation, grammar or word mistakes. Ensuring sufficient time for language engagement and establishing regular patterns of communication in both languages play a critical role. Try adding certain words and expressions in everyday tasks and routines to boost your child's natural use and acquisition of the target language.
4. SOCIO-CULTURAL AFFILIATION
Using languages in a culturally meaningful context is an important factor in developing bilingualism. This strategy makes the language learning process exciting and purposeful and allows children to view languages as more than just communication tools. Celebrating culturally significant events, using languages during festival seasons and videocalls, or planning visits to places where a particular language is spoken can bring alive the language in a relevant cultural context.
5. QUALITY OF LANGUAGE INPUT
While exposure to different languages is crucial, the quality of language input plays an equally significant role. Children learn languages by internalizing the models they observe. Hence, parents who are confident in their use of multiple languages set a higher example and provide a more enriched language input for their children. The better the language model, the greater the child's proficiency in different languages can become. This is the main reason why I never recommend prioritizing a foreign language if you naturally speak and communicate best in your native language. The latter is what I like to call your "heart's language" and it will be the language in which you express yourself the best and with which you have a better chance to connect with your children and develop their linguistic abilities.
To sum up, bilingualism is not merely a skill; it is a lifestyle that opens doors to different cultures, perspectives, and opportunities. Encouraging bilingualism in children involves an ongoing commitment from parents, requiring persistence, patience, and a sturdy framework for dual-language use. It might feel tricky at moments, but it is rewarding at many levels in our multicultural world. Bilingual parenting is an investment in children's cognitive and linguistic growth, enhancing their intellectual, interpersonal, and cultural horizons immeasurably.
