This population will continue to grow. Parents and teachers often ask if parents should continue to use the native language at home even if it is not the school language. Many experts from different fields agree that parents should continue to use their native language at home even if it is not the school language. To learn a language, children need to hear consistent, complete language examples. Parents who are learning to speak English may only offer limited, inconsistent, incomplete, or inappropriate language.
Research suggests that bilingualism broadens a person's thinking abilities.
Most important, the native language of the parent and child is the language of love, the language of feelings. To use another language may limit a parent's ability to present family and cultural values and expectations. If you have any questions about your child's speech and language development, please give me a call. Keep talking and reading to your children, no matter what language you use.