The best time to teach your child a second language is at the same time he or she is learning their first one. Children under 3 years of age are extremely curious about the world around them. They tackle most things with vigor and delight. Learning other languages is just another one of those interesting things for children to grasp with both hands. For them it becomes the norm that they are learning more than one language – they just want to jump in and have fun doing it!
Most young children are risk takers who don’t mind if they get something wrong – they are happy to practice what they have learnt and are not afraid to make mistakes. Learning a language affords wondrous opportunities for growth and development in young children and does not (as was once believed) cause linguistic delays or disorders. The brain automatically compartmentalizes each language and young children have the ability to learn many languages without becoming confused. This is evident in nursery classrooms, where children immediately change their language to suit the teacher they are talking to.
Teaching young children foreign languages provides them with invaluable advantages. Studies have shown they have better success on test results and an increased choice in future careers. They also develop an appreciation for living in a diverse and multicultural world.
The earlier a language is introduced the easier it is for a child to mimic the unique sounds of the language through hearing people speaking it fluently. Young children are developing language skills rapidly and they quickly absorb what they hear. Research has shown that children who speak more than one language tend to be more creative thinkers and their brain functions may stay sharper as they age.
It is important for any nursery to embrace the learning of languages.
About the Nursery
At Bright Beginnings Nursery, the children predominantly speak English, but babies up to 4-year olds also learn Arabic and French daily. The nursery also offers full time Arabic and French classes, with English as a second language. Teachers taught our languages through immersion, relating what the children learn about the world around them and their everyday experiences. It is evident during end of year concerts how much the children learn within their Arabic and French activities (greetings, singing, counting and naming colours and objects in three different languages) and for them it is easy!
Jo Shaban is the Managing Director of Bright Beginnings Nursery. Jo has been working in the field of Early Childhood education since 1991. She has had the wonderful opportunity to work and live in many countries around the world, further consolidating her knowledge of children and education in differing environments.
Jo has taught children from two years old through to 12 years old and has also taught, assessed and supervised beginning teachers and childcare students training to move into early childhood education. This invaluable experience has assisted her in operating and managing Bright Beginnings Nursery on a student, parent and staff level.
Jo holds a Bachelor of Teaching degree and a Bachelor of Education degree with a major in Early Childhood Education, both through Australian universities. She is also an active member of the Early Childhood Association of Australia and is a registered teacher with the Queensland Education Department.
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Its better if mother tounge/ native laguage of the child along with one other laguage like english ...we start first the gradually go to other language, I think its the better way of teaching
By Bhagyabati dash (Jul, 2019) |