Ana Pereira and her husband knew that they wanted their son to speak Spanish. Pereira spoke to him in Spanish as a baby and both parents read to him in English and Spanish. But the challenge now that her son is a toddler is getting him to respond in Spanish.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s not fully bilingual, but he understands when I speak to him in Spanish,\u201d said the Phoenix mom, who is Latina. \u201cLanguage is one of the strongest connections to culture. I would like for him to understand the culture. For him to be able to travel and speak the language, so he\u2019ll have a bigger connection. Ultimately, it will make him a more well-rounded child and, hopefully, adult.\u201d<\/p>\n
More and more families are interested in raising their children bilingually \u2013 for many reasons including the positive research that a second language aids brain development, supporting cultural connections and expanding future professional opportunities.<\/p>\n
Research shows that the best possible time to learn a second language is during early childhood. In fact, since language begins with sounds, babies are born with the ability to learn all languages in the world.<\/p>\n
According to researchers from the University of Washington, at birth, a baby brain can tell the difference between all 800 sounds that make up all the world\u2019s languages. Each language uses about 40 of those sounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe brain can capture both languages,\u201d said Camila Englert, who is also raising her two sons, ages 3 and 5, in a bilingual home. \u201cThey know exactly what I\u2019m saying. The brain has the power to do that. Everything I read, the studies and research say children learn to process information better when they know both languages.\u201d<\/p>\n
Babies begin to learn language sounds while in the mother\u2019s womb, which makes sense, because a mother\u2019s voice is so prominent. Gradually, babies\u2019 brains tune to whatever language or languages they hear from their caregivers.<\/p>\n
Which explains a challenge that many Arizona parents face when trying to encourage bilingualism: the dominance of English in many homes.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeeping Spanish was important to us,\u201d said Englert, who lives in Scottsdale. \u201cMy husband understands Spanish, but in the household, we primarily speak more English. So the effort is to speak to them in Spanish.\u201d<\/p>\n
Englert was fortunate to have her mother and aunt \u2013 who are both native Spanish speakers – to help with caregiver duties when the boys were babies, so they were immersed in the language.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy 3-year-old will flip within the two languages when he\u2019s talking,\u201d Englert said.<\/p>\n
Learning the language naturally and not forcing their son to respond in Spanish will give him time to acquire both languages, Pereira said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know he understands,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen I say go get your plate in Spanish or ask \u2018Do you want water?\u2019 He answers or does what I ask. I know he\u2019ll be speaking Spanish soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
The best advice Englert offers to families who want to encourage learning a second language for their young children is to \u201cjust start. If it\u2019s important to you, it will be important to them.\u201d<\/p>\n