By now the question isn\u2019t whether there\u2019s value in teaching your little ones a second language. Study after study not only shows that bilingual and multilingual kids do better socially, academically, and professionally; but that the earlier you start introducing a second language, the more successful your child will be. The question now is the matter of how to get your kids excited about language lessons.<\/p>\n
The answer might be simpler than you think. Does teaching your child French or Spanish feel like just another task on a seemingly endless list of things you need to do to successfully prepare your little one for adulthood? Therein may lie the problem.<\/p>\n
All too often parents are apprehensive about what they believe will go into second language instruction. From private lessons to homework in a language they might not understand, parents are understandably – especially during these chaotic times – reluctant to embark on another \u201cproject.\u201d But, if you\u2019re not excited about the prospect, how can you expect your kids to get excited?<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the good news: teaching your child a second language isn\u2019t nearly as stressful or labor intensive as you might think. Why? The answer lies in the difference between how adults learn versus how young children learn.<\/p>\n
As adults, we\u2019re primed with a need to intellectually understand everything we\u2019re learning. To grasp a second language, we require explanations about grammatical structures, variances in vocabulary usages, and cultural etiquette. Our brains have been programmed to need to understand the \u201cwhy\u201d before tackling the \u201chow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kids learn in a completely different manner. For them, the \u201chow\u201d comes before the \u201cwhy.\u201d Teaching a young child a second language involves little more than immersing themselves in an emotionally-engaging storyline (in their target language), inviting them to sing and dance, and encouraging them to dive into the world of their target language. The more fun they have, the less self-conscious they are, and the more they learn – without even realizing it. That\u2019s why animated videos, interactive learning games<\/a>, and sing-alongs work so well with little kids.<\/p>\n By taking language lessons off of kids list of \u201cthings mom and dad say I have to do\u201d and making them a fun reward after a day of navigating a big world filled with big feelings, you\u2019re transforming learning from chore-time to playtime.<\/p>\n