Children have an incredible capability to learn easily a second or even third language, and it’s an amazing way to adapt to your host country and its culture.
A Concordia study discloses an interesting difference in thinking among multilingual children and those who only speak their native language. Small children tend to see everything as pre-existing, including traits, characteristics and languages spoken. They perceive all of these influencing factors as being innate and unalterable. Though, a bilingual child knows that all of these are learned. Therefore, children are more open to change. They will be also better prepared to deal with the challenges of relocating overseas and find it easier to settle into their new home.
Bilingual children will find it easier to understand other cultures and relate to people in a much sensitive, deeper and efficient mode. In addition, if they are able to talk with other children in the playground or school, they will have a better opportunity of integrating and feeling more at home.
Follow these five tips for raising bilingual children:
- Make the bilingual language a family decision – it is important that the whole family agreed. If a parent is hostile towards the idea of speaking more than one language at home, dangers creating a stressful learning environment. It is also very important to make sure that equivalent balance is placed on both languages.
- Having a stable person who speaks the second language with whom the child can speak daily is crucial – for example, one parent or grandparent.
- Find out a social group with other children, interaction and playing with other children in the second language is important, and it will allow your child to enjoy the relationship building advantages of knowing more than one language.
- Read a lot to learn easily new vocabulary and grammar structures.
- Make sure you expose your child to the second language using a number of different mediums – for example, daily conversation at home, watch TV, listen music or YouTube videos in the second language.
Make it fun – read, watch, listen and play!
And if you need help relocating abroad, don’t hesitate to contact our local experts.