Children are well set up developmentally to learn two (or more) languages. In an article from NAEYC (The National Association for the Education of Young Children), Rica Ramirez states that maintaining the home language leads to “stronger identity development and long-term academic success. This, in turn, contributes to rich early learning communities that value families’ funds of knowledge.”
We value each families’ choice around language learning and honor languages other than English. Let us know how we can further extend this in our programs! Would you like to share some songs, stories or activities from your family’s culture?Play & Learn At Home
Here are some strategies to share language and culture at home.Read and tell stories in your home language. Encourage your child to join in. Use dress-ups and be creative!Play games in your home language, especially games that focus on language – for example, ‘I spy’, bingo, ‘Who am I?’ and memory.Sing songs, dance and play music in your home language. Children love music! Melody is a great way to help them remember things.Look for child-friendly word game apps in your home language.Looking for more inspiration at home? We love these resources:
Tips for Raising Multi-Lingual Children
https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/connecting-communicating/bilingualism-multilingualism/raising-bilingual-children-tips
Gift of Language
https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/gift-of-language-eng.pdf
Language at Home and in the Community
https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/language-home-families-eng.pdf