Learning about language and communication begins at birth. In fact, by the age of one children have learnt all the sounds that make up their native language. But did you know that it’s never too soon to learn a new language?
According to a study conducted by MIT, which surveyed a pool of 670,000 people, children actively learning or immersed in a language before the age of 10 have the best chance of achieving proficiency, similar to that of a native speaker.
As a parent, you want to provide your child with the best opportunities for success in life. One way to do this is by introducing your child to a second language at a young age. Learning a second language can provide numerous benefits for primary kids, including cognitive development, improved communication skills, cultural awareness, and long-term career benefits.
Let’s look at some of the top reasons why learning a second language is beneficial for your child.
1. Enhanced Cognitive Development
First and foremost, learning a second language can enhance cognitive development in young children. Research has shown that bilingual children exhibit better cognitive control and problem-solving abilities than monolingual children. This means that by learning a second language, your child can improve their memory retention, creativity, and critical thinking skills.
2. Improved Communication Skills
By being exposed to multiple languages, children develop better communication skills and can easily communicate with people from different cultures and backgrounds. This means that your child can become a more effective communicator and build relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
3. Deepened sense of empathy
Like learning an instrument or perfecting a golf swing, mistakes are a part of the process, and learning a language can show your child how rewarding it is to work through challenges. It’s this kind of perspective that can also boost their overall emotional maturity
4. Improved Cultural Awareness
By learning about other cultures, children can develop an appreciation for diversity and respect for different beliefs and traditions. Moreover, learning a second language can help children to develop a sense of pride and identity in their own culture. This means that your child can become a more open-minded and tolerant individuals, which can lead to a more harmonious society.
5. Long-term career benefits
In today’s globalized economy, being bilingual or multilingual is an asset in the job market. Individuals who are fluent in multiple languages have an advantage in fields such as international business, politics, and diplomacy. This means that your child can increase their job prospects in the future by learning a second language at a young age.
Some parents have had valid concerns that learning a second language at a young age would be too taxing on their children. They ask if children can even distinguish between two languages when they haven’t mastered their first language yet.
