Is My Child Ready to Learn a Second Language?

Five Truths About Bilingualism and Dual Language Education in Early Childhood 

Myth: "My child will be confused by a second language or it might cause a delay in acquiring his first language."

Truth: Research shows that bilingual children acquire the same proficiency in two languages as monolingual children do in one, even though they have less exposure to the languages. Young children do not develop proficiency in their first language until late-elementary school, thus it is the perfect time to introduce a second language. The young brain is able to absorb both languages simultaneously. The younger you introduce your child to a second language, the better! 

Myth: "It will take too much time and energy for my child to be exposed to a second language." 

Truth: There are many opportunities to engage your child in learning a second language. Research recommends that the second language be introduced at a similar rate and consistency as the first. You might consider a dual-language or immersion preschool program for your child, or consider taking up a new language with your child to learn and speak as a family. Although it won't lead to complete bilingualism, it could also be helpful to teach your child vocabulary for familiar words and phrases in a new language. Read books in a new language together. Have fun with it! 

Myth: "My child is too young to pick up another language." 

Truth: Research is varied on this, but many believe that the younger a child is introduced to a second language, the better. Learning a second language from a young age is as cognitively simple as learning the first. Early learning especially helps children with their pronunciation in speaking a second language, as their first language is still not fully developed. Some experts say that children lose the ability to hear and repeat linguistic differences in other languages by the time they are around 12 years old. 

Myth: "My child has enough trouble speaking one language." 

Truth: Language development in early childhood spans the first 8 years of life (at least). Even proficient, English-speaking children may continue to use unconventional grammar, syntax, or verb tense after that. No matter the linguistic issue, any child can learn a second language. But, if you have concerns about your child's specific case, don't hesitate to talk with your pediatrician. 

Myth: "Being bilingual doesn't give my child an advantage." 

Truth: Actually, it just might. The following excerpt was borrowed from www.hanen.org to show some simple research-based advantages to bilingualism: 

• Bilingual children are better able to focus their attention on relevant information and ignore distractions (7, 8). For more information, 
click here for our article “Are Two Languages Better Than One?”.

• Bilingual individuals have been shown to be more creative and better at planning and solving complex problems than monolinguals (9, 10).

• The effects of aging on the brain are diminished among bilingual adults (7).

• In one study, the onset of dementia was delayed by 4 years in bilinguals compared to monolinguals with dementia (10).

• Bilingual individuals have greater access to people and resources (9).

• In Canada, employment rates are higher for French/English bilinguals than monolinguals (7).

• Canadians who speak both official languages have a median income nearly 10% higher than that of those who speak English only, and 40% higher than that of those who speak French only (7).

Other Helpful Articles and Websites: 

Bilingual Language Acquisition (Earlychildhood News)

Supporting Bilingual Children in Early Childhood

Bilingualism in the Early Years: What Science Says

Bilingual Families: Questions and Answers

NAEYC Collection of Articles on Dual Language Learners

Happy learning! 

The Prepped Parent

Top 5 Adorable and Original Valentine's Day Gifts for Kids

Tired of giving the same unoriginal gifts for Valentine's Day? Let's do something different! Below is your go-to list of our recommendations for the best Valentine's (or really anytime) gift ideas. No over-the-top-cheesiness and no sugar-them-up sweets. (So, without further ado, and in no particular order...) 

1. Coloring Books/Journals with crayons, markers, or other artistic tools 

Many children love to CREATE, and there is no better way to empower them to do so than by giving them materials to be creative with! You could go to your local Michael's or Hobby Lobby and stock up on cutesy supplies, but even the Dollar Store and Target's dollar section are always well-stocked with children's art supplies. If you wanted to really up the ante, May Designs (sample below) offers THE cutest personalized notebooks with options to include children's coloring book or children's handwriting pages inside. Also, these Etsy Kid's Conversation Hearts Crayons have to be just about the cutest things I've ever seen. 

2. Temporary Tattoos 

There is a special obsession that most children have for stickers and temporary tattoos. I'm not sure where or how it begins, but at some point in a child's life, stickers and tattoos are a MUST-HAVE. Doctors and dentists everywhere have learned and applied this principle, and you too can give these easy gifts! My favorites include these Animal and Monster Hand Tattoos (See Below) from Uncommon Goods and these "Designy Temporary Tattoos" from Tattly. Seriously. Kids have access to the coolest things today.

3. BOOKS

Children (and parents) can never have too many books! Go to your local bookstore (if that still exists where you live) or order them online. They don't have to have Valentine's themes, because this is a gift that they will enjoy year-round. Some of my current top picks (among so many others) include anything written by Mo Willems (see my previous post on his books here), B. J. Novack's The Book with No Pictures, Barney Saltzberg's Beautiful Oops! and A Little Bit of Oomph!, and Josie Bissett's Tickle Monster and Boogie Monster (see below). 

                                 

4. Board Games

Some of my childhood favorites included the ever-traditional Chutes and Ladders (see below), Candy Land (65th anniversary vintage version available here), and Hi Ho Cherry-O. While the classics are still alive and well, here are a few others that have hit the scene more recently: Hoot Owl Hoot (a cooperative game for kids), The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game, Qwirkle, and of course the Frozen-themed versions of Trouble and Monopoly Junior. Board games are timeless, and are a great way to promote problem-solving while kids are having FUN! 

5. STEM Toys 

In case you don't know the acronym, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Recently there has been a huge push to include more STEM education in our school systems, and even in early childhood instruction. If you don't yet have a child in school, you might have seen some STEM activities at your local Children's Museum. Lakeshore Learning, Fat Brain Toys, and Discount School Supply (see magnetic shapes below) all have excellent selections of STEM toys, activities, and games for preschoolers through 6th graders. Give them something they will learn from and enjoy! 

Happy Giving! 

The Prepped Parent

#likeagirl: Influencing Children's Positive Self-Image

You are all probably well aware that the Super Bowl was last night. While I know that many die-hard football fans annually obsess over the particulars of the game, the typical highlights of this yearly “celebration” for me are the food, the half-time show, and, of course, the commercials. This year brought many serious, family-centric commercials. Lots of puppies. Lots of dads. Lots of tears. But perhaps the one that struck me the most was this #likeagirl commercial from Procter & Gamble's Always. Grab a couple tissues and go ahead and take a minute to watch it again. 

As I was contemplating the (somehow now controversial) message behind the commercial, I reflected on the written statement about girls’ confidence plummeting during puberty. While I think this is absolutely true and a very saddening part of our culture, it is not only confidence that shapes the “like a girl” perceptions seen in the first half of the commercial. And, unfortunately, it seems that this "plummet" often happens well before puberty. Gender stereotypes and norms affect girls’ (and boys’) perceptions of themselves starting even in early childhood. Think about your favorite colors and toys when you were younger. I loved dolls and dress-up clothes and could never decide between the two “girls’ color choices”, pink or purple, to name one as my favorite. Research shows that as young children (as young as 3) are growing and trying to make sense of the world around them, they often begin to exhibit and express gender stereotypes as they form their own identities. These identities and stereotypes (applied to themselves and others) are usually rigidly defined by the time children are 7 years old. Seven. Years. Old. That means that our earliest elementary children have already defined their gender stereotypes and are using them to understand and shape their environment on a daily basis. [Read more about counteracting gender stereotypes here.]

This sounds like an incredibly daunting task, but as young children's advocates...we have to do something about it! It is truly up to us to help children change the way in which they form these stereotyped gender biases. By modeling appropriate language around gender differences, sharing stories of girls and women who have triumphed against gender stereotypes, and allowing children to openly explore different gender norms, we can empower both girls and boys to break through these traditional barriers. Let’s help children refrain from using “like a girl” or “like a boy” to define how something can be done. It is up to us to show all children that girls and boys can do anything they want if they work hard enough for it. It is up to us to empower our children with both a positive self-image and image of others.