6 Tips for Teaching Your Toddler a Second Language

Raising Your Child to be Bilingual

Teaching your toddler a second language may seem daunting, but it’s easier than you think and can have a number of benefits, including:

• Improved cognitive abilities: Learning a second language can improve a baby's problem-solving skills, memory, and overall cognitive development.
• Enhanced brain development: Studies have shown that early exposure to a second language can increase the density of brain cells and improve neural connections, leading to a more highly developed brain.
• Better communication skills: By learning a second language, babies can develop better communication skills and become more confident in their ability to express themselves.
• Improved cultural awareness: Learning a second language can help children gain a better understanding and appreciation of different cultures, promoting tolerance and respect for diversity.
• Increased employability: Later in life, the ability to speak multiple languages can be a valuable asset in the job market.
• Improved brain plasticity: Early exposure to a second language can help maintain brain plasticity, or the brain's ability to adapt and change, as a person grows older.
• Improved academic performance: Children who learn a second language tend to have better academic performance in a variety of subjects, including reading and mathematics.
• Improved memory: Learning a second language requires memorization of vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structures, which can lead to improved overall memory abilities.

Keep reading to learn 6 easy tips for teaching your toddler a second language. We give practical examples that you can start putting to use straight away.

So let's get into it...

1. Start early

Starting early is key when it comes to teaching your child a second language. Introducing a second language while they are still in the process of learning to speak will make it easier for them to acquire the unique sounds and pronunciation of the language. Children who begin learning a language at a young age tend to have a larger vocabulary and a stronger understanding of the language, resulting in faster and more effective language acquisition.

2. Incorporate Language into your Daily Routines

Incorporating the second language into your child's daily routines can be a great way to help them learn and become familiar with the language in a natural and organic way. Here are a few tips on how to do this:

• Use the language during mealtime: Using the second language when speaking to your baby during mealtime can help them learn new vocabulary related to food and dining.
• Label objects in the home: Labelling objects in the home, such as toys and furniture, in both languages can help your baby become familiar with the vocabulary in both languages.
• Use the language during playtime: Using the second language when speaking to your child during playtime can help them learn new vocabulary related to play and leisure activities.
• Use the language during bedtime: Using the second language when speaking to your baby during bedtime can help them become familiar with the language and develop a positive association with the language.
• Read books in the language: Reading books in the language can help your baby learn new vocabulary and sentence structures in a way that is related to their daily experiences.

By incorporating the second language into your toddler's daily routines, you can help them become familiar with the language and make the learning process a natural and organic part of their daily life.

3. Make it Fun

When it comes to teaching a baby a second language, making the experience fun and enjoyable is key to keeping them engaged and motivated. Here are a few tips on how to make language learning fun for your baby:

• Use play-based learning: Babies learn best through play, so incorporating games and play-based activities into your language lessons can be a fun and effective way to teach new vocabulary and sentence structures.
• Use gestures and facial expressions: Babies are naturally attuned to body language, so incorporating gestures and facial expressions into your language lessons can help make the experience more engaging and memorable.
• Sing songs and recite nursery rhymes: Songs and nursery rhymes can be a fun and effective way to help babies learn new vocabulary and sentence structures in a way that is memorable and enjoyable.
• Make it interactive: Encouraging your baby to respond to questions and prompts in the second language can help make the experience more interactive and engaging.

By making language learning a fun and enjoyable experience, you can help keep your baby motivated and interested in the language, which will in turn lead to faster and more effective language acquisition.

4. Use Multimedia Resources

5. Expose them to the culture of the language

Exposing a child to the culture of a language can be a great way to help them learn and understand the language.  Here are a few ways to do this:

• Try traditional foods: Trying traditional foods from the country can help your child learn about the cuisine and culture of the country, and can also be a fun and delicious way to immerse them in the language and culture.
• Celebrate cultural holidays and events: Celebrating cultural holidays and events, such as festivals and traditional food, can help your child learn more about the culture and language of the country.
• Listen to traditional music: Listening to traditional music in the language can be a fun and engaging way to expose your child to the culture and rhythms of the language. Music can help children learn new vocabulary and sentence structures.
• Read books and tell stories: Read books and telling stories about the country where the language is spoken. If this is where you grow up, tell your children stories from your childhood,
• Visit the country: If possible, visiting the country where the language is spoken can provide a unique and immersive learning experience for your child. They can learn about the culture, traditions, and daily life of the country while also practicing their language skills.

6. Surround Your Baby with the Language

Surrounding your baby with the second language can help create a rich and immersive learning environment that will make it easier for them to pick up the language. Here are a few ways to do this:

• Speak the language with your baby: Speaking the second language with your baby as much as possible can help them become familiar with the sounds and rhythms of the language, and can also help you model proper pronunciation and sentence structure.
• Bilingual Play Dates: Join a play group or organise play time with other children who speak the same second language. This will give your child a chance to practice the language in a relaxed and non-structured setting. You can find these groups online (e.g. Facebook) or at your local foreign language institute. 
• Bilingual babysitter: Seek out a babysitter who speaks the language and encourage her to speak exclusively in the language to your child. If your baby is in childcare, ask if any of the educators speak the language (you'd be surprised!). This will help to expose your baby to the language from a young age, and can have lasting effects into adulthood

So, finally

Bilingual parenting is well within your reach. If you're thinking about teaching a second language to your baby, then why not get started today.  Choose some of these tips and start putting them into practice... the best time to start is always now!

Let your baby learn at their own pace and most importantly, enjoy the process!