There have been many theories about bilingualism affecting a child's development. Dr Naja Ferjan Ramirez states that a mother's voice is the most prominent voice when the baby is in the womb. Once the baby is born they can distinguish the difference between the mother's language and other languages. For years people have thought bilingualism hinders a child's development however her studies have shown your early childhood years are the best time to learn a second language.
Many people think that teaching your child two or more languages can delay their child's development both educationally and socially. Yes, your child will split their time between both languages however there is no evidence that bilingualism causes your child to lag behind a child that only speaks one language. Contrary to this, it has been found that on average monolinguals have a wider range of vocabulary in a particular language than a bilingual.
The are many advantages of raising your child bilingually including cognitive, social and economic advantages.
It is proven that bilingualism has a positive impact on Cognitive Development. Children who are able to speak two or more languages have very flexible and active brains as they are able to switch from one language to the other. This has been proven to have several benefits such as: finding it easier to tackle problem solving questions, multitask, good listening skills and a better attention span. Studies have also shown that being bilingual can delay cognitive decline and reduce the onset of Alzheimer's.
Being bilingual also has professional benefits. A bilingual person is usually more attractive to prospective employers and are often hired over someone who is monolingual. There is also a higher successfully hired rate for a position that requires travelling.
We are in a society that is becoming increasingly diversified and where being bilingual is becoming the norm rather than the exception. Being bilingual can increase your ability to make new friends and build new relations using your second language. Having the ability to speak more than one language enables you to participate in more societies and cultural groups.
Little Ones is passionate about providing families with the best bilingual care there is to offer. We specialise in the placement of bilingual nannies, au pairs and nanny housekeepers. Get in touch today to discuss your bilingual childcare options with one of our specialist consultants, no strings attached.
