Learning More Than One Language
First Words Ottawa & Renfrew County • March 21, 2020
Learning More Than One Language
DID YOU KNOW?
Children with strong language skills in their first language will learn a second language more easily. They learn a language best from people who speak that language well and OFTEN. Learning two languages can happen at any age and will NOT cause a speech or language delay.
It is normal for children learning a second language:
- to switch back and forth between languages when they speak.
- to go through a "silent period" for 3 to 6 months. They should continue to use their first language.
- to make grammatical mistakes in the new language until they figure out all the rules.
Children learning two languages follow the same milestones as children learning one language.
TALK TO YOUR CHILD IN YOUR FIRST LANGUAGE
- Talk in your first language - use a variety of words to describe objects and actions when you’re feeding your child, going fora walk, changing diapers or playing.
- Tell stories, read and sing in your first language. If the books you use are in English, name the pictures and tell the story in your first language. Give you child time to talk to you about the book.
- Plan fun activities with others who speak the same first language to keep your child motivated.
HELP YOUR CHILD LEARN TWO LANGUAGES
- Your child needs consistent and frequent exposure to each language. Here are ways to do this:
- “one parent- one language” approach (e.g. one parent speaks Somali and one parent speaks English).
- “one location-one language” approach (e.g. English is spoken at daycare and Somali is spoken at home).
- “one language-one activity” approach (e.g. English is spoken at mealtimes and Somali the rest of the day)
3. Talk to your child in your first language about what she did at daycare. If your child uses English words, repeat what she said using your first language.
If you are concerned about your child’s ability to learn his first language, get help.
- Call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 or 613-PARENTS
- Complete our Communication Checkup!
It is important for children to meet their speech and language milestones at the expected age. This gives your child a strong foundation for learning at school and later in life.
When children have a strong first language base, they learn a second language more easily. They also do better at school with reading and writing.
Although young babies don’t understand the meaning of your words, they understand a lot by the way that you touch and hold them. They also learn from the expression on your face, the tone of your voice and the gestures that you make. Remember it is by talking to them that they learn words. Surround your baby with words when you feed, diaper and play with them.
