In today's Straits Times, there was this article on:
'Want bilingual kids? Start from birth'
During my Montessori Teaching, we were taught that a child's development for language begins as early as from birth. The child absorbs all that is heard, lock it into his sub-concious mind, only to be revealed at the next appropriate timing.
Many of us tend to 'baby-talk' to our newborn; not knowing that our child has begun to absorb each and every word / tone. Many grandparents/elderlys say: our baby 'doesn't understand a single word we say', hence also 'baby-talks' to our children. We do so, not knowing that whatever they hear from us, eventually affects their language and behavioral developments.
As the saying goes: "Do as one is preach".
How best can we ensure that our child is receiving the best to aid in their development skills?
Well, it is time, we as parents start learning first.
We have to accept that children has the ability to pick up a new language EASILY, starting from birth, hence stop the 'baby-talks'. I am not asking parents to be stern to their child, however, regard them with respect, talk to them as if you would talk to your loved ones.
We have to understand that babies possess the innate ability - they are born able to distinguish all languages and this ability weakens as they grow older, by age seven. Hence the best time to learn a foreign language is between birth and the age of seven. We should start introducing at least 2 languages in the home-setting from their birth.
Who is the most qualified to fit in this task?
Answer: The child's parents / care-giver.
By exposing children to a second language often, they will then have a chance to hear and speak it regularly, thus developing their language development.
Facts: On average, monolingual and bilingual babies start talking around the age one and can say about 50 words by 18months.
If you want your child to be able to express his/her needs (so you can stop the frustrated 'guessing-game'), start NOW. Give them the proper guidance from their beginning and you will be free from those unnecessary frustration.
Good luck and happy learning :)
'Want bilingual kids? Start from birth'
During my Montessori Teaching, we were taught that a child's development for language begins as early as from birth. The child absorbs all that is heard, lock it into his sub-concious mind, only to be revealed at the next appropriate timing.
Many of us tend to 'baby-talk' to our newborn; not knowing that our child has begun to absorb each and every word / tone. Many grandparents/elderlys say: our baby 'doesn't understand a single word we say', hence also 'baby-talks' to our children. We do so, not knowing that whatever they hear from us, eventually affects their language and behavioral developments.
As the saying goes: "Do as one is preach".
How best can we ensure that our child is receiving the best to aid in their development skills?
Well, it is time, we as parents start learning first.
We have to accept that children has the ability to pick up a new language EASILY, starting from birth, hence stop the 'baby-talks'. I am not asking parents to be stern to their child, however, regard them with respect, talk to them as if you would talk to your loved ones.
We have to understand that babies possess the innate ability - they are born able to distinguish all languages and this ability weakens as they grow older, by age seven. Hence the best time to learn a foreign language is between birth and the age of seven. We should start introducing at least 2 languages in the home-setting from their birth.
Who is the most qualified to fit in this task?
Answer: The child's parents / care-giver.
By exposing children to a second language often, they will then have a chance to hear and speak it regularly, thus developing their language development.
Facts: On average, monolingual and bilingual babies start talking around the age one and can say about 50 words by 18months.
If you want your child to be able to express his/her needs (so you can stop the frustrated 'guessing-game'), start NOW. Give them the proper guidance from their beginning and you will be free from those unnecessary frustration.
Good luck and happy learning :)
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