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5 principles of raising a bilingual child
A bilingual child fluent in multiple languages is the dream of many parents. He has a broad outlook and an unconventional way of thinking. But is it so easy to raise a polyglot? Teachers from the English kindergarten Discovery shared tips on upbringing.
It is believed that children who speak two languages have more flexible thinking, for example, they can come up with many ways to solve the same problem. This is not surprising, because they constantly have to choose between languages, which means two different worldviews. The second language expands emotional intelligence, because the more words we know to designate feelings, the more shades of our state we understand and distinguish, which means we better manage ourselves. However, raising a unique person in a family is not so easy. It is important to be consistent and adhere to a specific bilingual teaching system in all circumstances. As a result, either the baby will “see clearly” and speak, or he will not really learn a single language. How to instill in a child a love of languages, teachers from .
1. Limit the scope of the language
It is better to use a foreign language in a specific situation or a specific person. A small child gets confused if today his mother teaches colors with him in Russian, and tomorrow in English. If the family speaks two languages, the rule is “one language – one parent”. You can play specific games in a foreign language, or use it only at lunch, or only in the presence of your grandmother.
You should not constantly insert foreign words into speech (especially for those parents who speak a foreign language poorly). Memorizing individual words will not teach you how to speak, and pronunciation will be incorrect. Always remember that the child absorbs everything like a sponge, so if you make mistakes, then he will repeat them.
Learning a language for toddlers should be a game, not a lesson. It is important to intrigue the child so that he himself wants to learn something new. Children can easily learn anything when they are interested. Outdoor games with the names of body parts and movements, songs and fairy tales in English are much more effective than simply memorizing words.
It is better to concentrate not on correct pronunciation, but on the fluent use of foreign words. Constant corrections create a psychological barrier, the child is afraid to make a mistake and does not speak at all. Children under 6 years of age often mispronounce the sounds of their native language. It is important that teachers have the correct pronunciation.
5. Language is not just words
It is better to accompany the study of the language with the study of the peculiarities of the culture, traditions, holidays of another country, this enriches the process and builds an understanding of the other environment for the child. For example, you can organize an English tea party or learn an English folk song, fairy tale.