Raising Bilingual Children

RAISE BILINGUAL CHILDREN

Raising bilingual children is one of the topics that mothers are most curious about. If you want to raise your baby or child bilingually but don't know where to start, let's take you here

When it comes to introducing our children to a new language, the first language that comes to mind is English, the language of research and science of our age. What can you do to best support their learning of English? Here are 6 golden tips. I hope it will inspire and encourage mothers who have questions in their minds.

The earlier you start, the better. In fact, research shows that the earlier you start a second language, the more permanent that language becomes. Because babies are actually born able to make all the sounds of all the world's languages. In fact, it has been proven that babies hear the intonations of the languages ​​around them even while they are in the womb. They love the books you read to them and the lullabies you sing to them while they are pregnant more than other stories after they are born, don't they? Because those stories and melodies are extremely familiar to them. Thanks to audio, action books, and touch-and-feel books that appeal to their senses, the session of getting to know a second language starts with fun.

DK - Baby Touch and Feel Bathtime

Usborne - Baby's Very First Touch and Feely Animals Play Book

Nosy Crow - Felt Flaps: Where's Mrs. Bear

Children learn by having fun. As Maria Montessori said, 'Play is the child's work.' The more fun you make language learning, the more permanent their learning will be. To do this, you can get support from various activity books according to their age group. Sticker books are also very fun and children learn words quickly. Role-playing games and puzzles provide you with material to talk about. If you choose activities or games according to your child's interests, they will enjoy learning a language much more.

Usborne - First Thousand Words In English

Usborne - Lift The Flap Questions & Answers World

Peppa Pig - Super Stickers Activity Book

Priddy Books - Let's Pretend Doctor's Bag

Read lots of books in the language you want to gain. Make it a habit, talk about the illustrations in the books, if possible, make fun animations and really have fun. In this way, you will explain the words your child does not understand to him/her more permanently with your body language. Also, action books will help you keep his/her interest alive for a long time.

Campbell - Busy Railway

Nosy Crow - Hello House

Nosy Crow - Bizzy Bear Ambulance Rescue

Be Consistent. The most preferred method for raising bilingual children is OPOL (one person one language). In other words, one person - this can be the mother or father - should only speak the language that is intended to be taught, while the other spouse or other person who cares for the child should only speak the mother tongue. Since bilingualism is a long process, do not be intimidated by this method. It is important to be consistent at first so that the child does not get confused, but then the child learns which language to speak to whom.

Create screen time focused on a second language. Screen time is a controversial issue for children, but I think technology should also be used when learning a language. There are also quality videos with clean content on the internet. You can search for animated cartoons of the books you read and watch them together. If your child will spend time on a tablet, Khan Academy Kids stands out with its quality content. There are many games and stories here according to the subjects. Moreover, since it is a platform that advocates for educational equality, it is completely free. I recommend you to take a look.

Relax, don't be afraid. I think it is right for a mother to communicate with her child in the language she feels comfortable in. Therefore, speak the second language to them as naturally and comfortably as possible and please don't be afraid to make mistakes. You can see this as an opportunity for your own language development and develop your language together with your child, you will see that your language use will improve as you practice with him. Maybe you can even support yourself with courses.

Finally, please do not expect the same perfection from your child, because language also requires some aptitude. And of course, not every child is the same. Maybe despite all your efforts, he/she will not be able to speak English at the level you want, but believe me, making him/her feel the existence of another language at an early age will provide many cognitive benefits such as being able to think in multiple ways and doing different things at the same time in his/her future life.