Learning multiple languages from birth is not a new phenomenon either. In fact, raising multilingual children is more common than most people think.
The main factor when determining how many languages a child can learn at once is the languages the parents speak. Because children spend most of their daily lives with their parents these languages are usually the most influential.
It’s never too early to begin learning a language: it’s fun, it promotes healthy development, and the many cognitive and social benefits will last a lifetime. Here are some of the reasons why learning a language puts your child at a significant advantage, and how you can help—whether or not you know another language.
Benefits of learning languages at early age:
- Giving them head start
Children who learn another language before age five use the same part of the brain to acquire that second language that they use to learn their mother tongue. Younger learners are also uninhibited by the fear of making mistakes, which is sometimes an obstacle for older beginners
- Benefits to health
Speaking multiple languages can slow down the onset of dementia. Using different receptors, the brain has to find completely new ways to process information, and this helps to protect its functionality. Think about an old car; one that has been lying in a garage for years. The engine will be much harder to start again after years of inactivity when compared with the same model driven carefully and regularly. Academics call this “cognitive reserve.”
- Brain development
Research shows that learning a second language boosts problem-solving, critical thinking, and listening skills, in addition to improving memory, concentration, and the ability to multitask. Children proficient in other languages also show signs of enhanced creativity and mental flexibility.
- Expanding world view
Each language has its own style, idioms, cultural references, and heritage. Children who are exposed to these features; the ideas they represent, the new vocabulary, and the grammatical variation, are equipping themselves with the tools to understand the world in completely new ways.
- Stay long by starting early
The length of time a student is able to devote to learning a language has a direct and positive correlation to cognitive development. Longer sequences also provide the opportunity for learners to grow alongside the additional language and culture, developing a deeper connection as they mature.
Want your child to start learning languages ? We are here to help you.
Happy parenting :))
