Children absorb languages at an incredible rate. Their ability to pick up inflections, tones and vocabulary at a young age is in part, their gift of learning. To take advantage of this, give them the gift of languages. Aside from formal education experiences, below is a list of activities to increase children's language skills and teach your toddlers words in different languages. You can partake in some, if not all, with your child to diversify their language skills (and maybe yours!).
Singing Songs
A majority of common children’s songs are translated in multiple languages. Singing a song that your child is familiar with in their native tongue and then again in another language, can help them better learn their second and third languages. You can find songs such as “London Bridge”, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” in a multitude of languages. Although their meanings may not be the same, these tunes are common enough that other cultures have adapted them. CDs and the Internet are your best resources.
Multi-Cultural Play Dates
If you have neighbors or friends who speak other native languages, encourage play dates. Even though children don’t speak the same language, they somehow find ways to interact and understand each other. Promote other people’s parents to speak a different language to your children and vice versa. It is ideal to say it once in the child’s native language as anchoring and then repeat in the other language.
Flash Cards & Posters
There are flash cards available to promote language learning. You can use these with your children to learn new vocabulary enforced by the pictures. It is also helpful to repeat the word when you see the object in everyday life.
Visual and Audio Aids
Aids come in many forms. Aside from flash cards and posters, mini-series are also great ways to learn a new language. This can be found in television programs such as “Dora The Explorer” who teach children words in Spanish. There are also audio books paired with their physical counterparts that teach languages as well. For parents who are concerned about pronunciation, these tools are most ideal.
Bilingual Parents (or Caregivers)
If either one of the parents speak another language, it is good practice to have one parent (if not both) speak a different language to the child that is not native. A good example of this is the continuity of languages in countries with high immigration population (ie: Canada). Many parents will try to retain the cultural language at home, but the children naturally develop their English skills through school and social means. You can also try to find caregivers that are able to provide this skill. Encourage nannies that speak a different language to teach it to your child. No matter how minimal the exposure, every little bit helps.
Make it Common Practice
Use words of varying languages everyday. For example, at the dinner table, go through the dishes, the ingredients and cutlery in another language. Repeat the activity as often as possible or ask the children questions of “What is this?” and have them repeat the words. Another activity is to count in different languages when going up/down stairs, anything with repetition is a good opportunity to do counting.
The above summarizes activities to increase children's languages skills and how to teach your toddler words in different languages. The key to diversifying a child’s language skills is to practice as often as possible. The skill is easily learned, but it is also easily forgotten when not used. As there are various levels of language learning (listening, reading, writing), move at a pace you and your child are comfortable with. It is never too early or too late to start, but it does take active parent involvement to help their child progress in language learning.