Children have an innate ability for language learning. At this age, there is no resistance to learning a second language, and this enhances the all-important factor, motivation. In the early stages of second language learning, imitation and creative re-use are more important than reasoning or formal grammatical analysis. It is by acceptance that vocabulary and structure are acquired. In the beginning stages of second language learning, a good deal of repetition of sounds, vocabulary words, and structures is necessary.
Young children accept and expect repetition in nursery rhymes, stories and songs.
Repetition, which in one form or another is necessary for remembering, meets with resistance in older children, even when the themes are more advanced. The phonetic and linguistic content of already familiar children's stories, songs and activities play a considerable part in the early learning of a second language. Most young children take a new language in stride. They still enjoy experimenting with language, singing, reciting, using gestures, acting, performing. Many of the mother tongue strategies can still be used effectively.