Myths about bilingual children

Opportunity to talk to some children in two languages ​​shrouded in myths and horror stories. They say that learning two languages ​​causes a delay in development, so that the child will understand everything, but can not say anything. Here are some enduring myths about bilingual children and their scientific refutation.

Myth № 1. Bilingualism causes a delay in the development of the child

In fact, the study of two languages ​​offers many advantages, such as the development of executive functions of the brain, metalinguistic awareness (The ability to perceive language as an abstract unit) mental mobility (Adaptive processing information) and creative thinking.

Bilingual children develop within normal language developmentBut in some cases a little bit behind on some criteria.

Myth № 2. Bilingual children lag behind their peers and then can not catch up with them

This is a common mistake, because all children are different. Some bilingual children in general keep up with peers in the development of language skills.

There is speculation that retardation It may derive from the fact that the child is difficult to master once the two language systems. But even if the child is bilingual lags behind peers in some criteria, it tightens the language skills to five years and talking on a par with children their own age (do not confuse this with a delay of speech development).

Myth № 3. The child will confuse the two languages

There is some controversy as to when children begin to separate the two languages.

For a long time it was thought that the first two languages ​​for a child merged and separated only begin to close to five years. recent study It proved that the child can separate languages ​​much earlier.

Already in the 10-15 months children babble in different languages depending on whom are. For example, the child babbles the sounds of English when communicating with my mother, and sounds of the French when talking to Dad.

This suggests that children are sensitive to the person with whom they are speaking, from a very early age.

Five tips for parents rearing a child with a bilingual

1. Be patient and often praise the child. He is to solve more complex problems than a child who is learning to speak only one language.
2. It is important that the language performs a specific function. Because language - is primarily a means of communication. So, if the child will not be the practical benefits of a conversation in a second language, he stops to talk to him. Therefore it is very important to place the child in an environment where it will be necessary use both. And it's better that he had communicate with different people.
3. Many parents worry about the balance, that the child is equally well know both languages. In fact, even experienced adult bilinguals have leading languageSo it is equally good to know two languages ​​is simply impossible.
4. Some parents worry that their children are bilingual mixed languages ​​during conversation. It is not necessary because of this experience, it is part of the normal development of the bilingual child. Even adults are bilingual so do.
5. If you are worried about your child's development, bilingual, show it to specialists: Speech therapist, psychologist. Delays in speech development can occur in any child, whether bilingual or not. The sooner find them and begin treatment, the more successful it will be.