A Practical Guide to Raising Bilingual Kids

In today’s interconnected world, speaking multiple languages is more valuable than ever. As a parent raising bilingual children, I’m excited to share this guide to help you navigate this rewarding journey. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your approach, this guide offers expert-backed strategies and personal insights to support your family’s multilingual adventure.

Our Personal Journey to Raise Bilingual Children

My partner and I come from different cultural backgrounds and speak different languages. When we had our first child, we set a rule: I would speak my native language, and my partner would speak theirs. This approach is known as the One Parent, One Language (OPOL) method. It’s a well-known strategy that helps children learn at least two languages naturally while minimizing language mixing. When he was two years old, he was already fluent (as the expected level of his age) in both languages.

In addition to this, we faced another challenge: living as expats in the Netherlands. This meant that Dutch would be our child’s third language, learned in preschool. We were concerned about language mixing and slower-than-expected progress in learning Dutch. After discussing our concerns with preschool teachers, they recommended speech therapy (in Dutch, " Logopedie") to support our child’s Dutch language development and offered valuable advice.

Speech Therapist, and What We Learned from Speech Therapy

Following their guidance, we began speech therapy and applied the tips we received. Initially, we visited a speech therapist every three weeks, but the progress was slow due to the low frequency of sessions. After a few months, we switched to a therapist we could see weekly, which led to faster and more noticeable improvements.

Our first therapist, who we visited every three weeks, was older and used more traditional methods. She suggested we speak only one language at home, but we felt this wouldn't suit our family. The second therapist, who was younger and more experienced with bilingual children, encouraged us to continue with the OPOL method and assured us that our approach was appropriate for our child’s needs.

1. Seek Early Support: It’s wise to consult a speech therapist if your child’s language development seems delayed, especially if you are an expat family adapting to a new language environment.
2. Simple Questions Work: A key technique was to ask simple questions like “What is this?” and “Where is this?” in a slow, clear manner, emphasizing mouth movements. For example, slowly saying “Where is the apple?” and expecting the child to point to the apple, or asking “What is this?” while pointing to a tomato and expecting them to respond in the target language. This approach was especially helpful since we were not native Dutch speakers. (both questions and answers should be in the target language in this method)
3. "This Here" Technique: This method involves helping kids connect words with actions. For example, you point to an apple and then to a spot, saying “This here,” prompting the child to place the apple where you pointed. You can use other short phrases like “Give me” or “Go there” to encourage action. The goal is to help them master basic verbs and actions in short, clear sentences with repeated practice. Over time, you can replace “here” or “it” with actual words like “Take the apple” or “Go to the room.”
4. Screen Time: While we’ve all heard that screen time can delay language development, the therapists suggested a balanced approach—allowing up to 30 minutes of supervised, educational content daily. They even recommended specific YouTube channels aimed at teaching pronunciation and new words. For example, our son watched Dutch color introduction videos, which significantly improved his pronunciation of color names. We did not give him a tablet or phone, but we used the TV screen for this purpose. In general, phones and tablets are not recommended for children under three years, as the attachment to screens can be harmful to their development. So keep it limited and purposeful.

Family connections and language learning

To keep our child connected to our cultures and exposed to different accents, we often have daily video calls with our families—brothers, sisters, and parents. During these calls, we let our son have full conversations with them without interrupting. We hold the phone and encourage him to start the conversation, making it feel as though he’s the one calling his grandparents. This practice is beneficial for his mental well-being, helping him build a strong bond with our parents. It’s also great for our parents’ well-being, allowing them to stay involved in their grandchild's growth. Grandparents play a significant role in children's well-being, so maintaining this connection is essential.

If you live far from your parents, consider having regular video calls with them, allowing your child to express themselves freely in their native language.

Another method we use to help overcome his shyness is asking him to send voice messages to our family. We start the voice recorder and encourage him to share a story or sing a song for his grandparents or other relatives, then send it to them. When he receives a voice response in return, it gives him a sense of being heard and valued, which can boost his self-esteem as well.

While our methods are mostly digital, this is due to our circumstances, as we live far from our families. Over time, we developed these approaches to keep our child connected with loved ones while also supporting his social development.

If you don't have the distance barrier, consider having regular visits or inviting grandparents and other relatives to play their part in your child's language and social development.

Why Raise Bilingual Children?

Bilingualism offers benefits beyond communication skills—it shapes how children think, perceive the world, and connect with their heritage. Here are the key advantages:

Cognitive Benefits

Research shows that bilingual children often have enhanced problem-solving skills, better focus, and more creative thinking abilities. Dr. Gigi Luk, a professor at Harvard, highlights that bilingualism can shape our brains for a lifetime, improving attention control and cognitive flexibility. A study published in Bilingualism: Language and Cognition found that these cognitive benefits persist into adulthood.

Stronger Family Connections

Bilingualism allows children to bond deeply with both sides of their family, creating a bridge between generations and enabling communication with grandparents and extended relatives.

Broader Career Opportunities

Bilingualism can open doors in international business, diplomacy, and local roles in diverse communities, offering a competitive edge in today’s job market.

Cultural Awareness and Empathy

Exposure to multiple languages fosters cultural appreciation and empathy, helping children navigate today’s globalized world.

Understanding Language Acquisition in Children

Supporting your child’s bilingual journey starts with understanding language acquisition. Here’s a breakdown:

Critical Periods in Language Development

1. 0-3 years: Building a Foundation

   • Early exposure to diverse sounds aids future pronunciation.
   • Practical Tip: Use songs and picture books in both languages. For example, sing nursery rhymes in each language to introduce different sounds.

2. 3-7 years: Vocabulary Growth

   • Kids rapidly expand their vocabulary and start forming complex sentences.
   • Practical Tip: Read stories and play word games in both languages to highlight word similarities.

3. 7-Puberty: Refining Skills

   • Focus on literacy and grammar as kids continue to grow their vocabulary.
   • Practical Tip: Encourage reading and writing in both languages and discuss daily activities in each language.

Strategies for Raising Bilingual Children (Ages 0-12)

Infants and Toddlers (0-3 years)

1. One Parent, One Language (OPOL)

   • Each parent consistently speaks one language.
   • Tip: Stick to one language primarily but adapt when needed for clarity.

2. Songs and Rhymes

   • Use songs to make language exposure fun. Example: Create playlists in each language for mealtime or bedtime.

3. Bilingual Picture Books

   • Label objects around the house with words in each language to reinforce vocabulary.

Preschoolers (3-5 years)

1. Role-Playing

   • Use dolls or costumes to act out scenarios in each language.

2. Language-Specific Playgroups

   • Arrange playdates with other bilingual families, rotating languages for exposure.

3. Daily Object Naming

   • Label items with tags in each language, providing visual reminders.

School-Age Children (6-12 years)

1. After-School Language Classes

   • Enroll in classes for cultural immersion, or reach out to embassies for language programs.

2. Bilingual Homework Help

   • Review schoolwork in the school language, then discuss it in your home language.

3. Games and Apps for Language Learning

   • Use gamified apps like Duolingo ABC, Rosetta Stone for Kids, and Voiczy for fun practice.

Immersive Learning Techniques

1. Home Language Days

   • Dedicate certain days to one language. For example, “Spanish Sundays.”

2. Cultural Celebrations

   • Celebrate cultural holidays, explaining traditions in each language.

3. Travel and Immersion

   • If possible, visit countries where the target language is spoken to boost skills through real-world practice.

Overcoming Common Challenges

1. Language Mixing: Gently correct mixed sentences by restating them in one language.
2. Motivation: Tie language learning to your child’s interests, like discussing a favorite movie in the target language.
3. Balancing Exposure: Create routines, like reading a bedtime story in one language and singing a song in the other.
4. Handling Peer Pressure: Encourage pride in being bilingual by framing it as a “superpower.”

Essential Resources for Bilingual Families

1. Books:

   • "Raising a Bilingual Child" by Barbara Zurer Pearson.
   • "Be Bilingual" by Annika Bourgogne .tps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19189687-be-bilingual---practical-ideas-for-multilingual-families).

2. Online Communities:

   • Reddit: /r/multilingualparenting and /r/languagelearning.

3. Cultural Resources:

   • Embassies and cultural centers for language events.

Conclusion: Embrace the Journey

Raising bilingual children is challenging but rewarding. Embrace the process, stay consistent, and celebrate each step. Remember, you’re not just teaching a language—you’re giving your child a gift that connects them to their heritage and the wider world.

Final Thoughts

Seeing your child communicate with both sides of the family is worth every effort. You’re opening doors to a world of opportunities, and that is something to be proud of. Best of luck on this incredible journey! You can also use Voiczy, in order to boost your child's language skills.