As a speech-language pathologist who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of language disorders in bilingual children, parents often ask, “Should I speak only one language to my child?”
Research repeatedly shows the benefits of exposing your child to more than one language. Below are a few:
- Cognitive flexibility – children who have been exposed to more than one language are better able to ignore distractions
- Better problem solving skills
- Bilingual adults’ brains age more slowly
Exposing your child to more than one language will not cause a language delay, nor is it confusing for them. Speaking your native language to your child helps your child learn your culture. Even children who have been diagnosed with a language disorder or delay benefit from bilingualism.
The bottom line: keep exposing your child to foreign languages – it does a brain good!
References:
http://www.hanen.org/Helpful-Info/Articles/Bilingualism-in-Young-Children–Separating-Fact-fr.aspx
http://www.hanen.org/Helpful-Info/Articles/Can-children-with-language-impairments-learn-two-l.aspx
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