The Brain Boosting Magic of Bilingual Kids

Many times I enter a home to provide therapy or parent education for a family, and I am

welcomed into a wonderful cross-cultural environment. One of the aspects that makes

America incredible is the number of people who live here from other countries. These

homes tend to have warm and loving parents, accents that vary in strength, and the

aroma of wonderful ethnic foods cooking in the kitchen. I am always intrigued and

curious about the parents’ culture of origin. It’s especially nice when they are willing to

share stories of their homeland as well as their journey here to America. When working

with their beautiful and brilliant children, I always try to learn a few words in their

language if I can! I love entering these homes because I am fascinated by how different

cultures approach childcare and parenting.

Embracing bilingualism can be a valuable gift and investment in your children’s future.

Besides the normal trials and tribulations of parenting, these parents have to navigate

another challenge: how to appropriately retain both their mother culture and American

culture in their homes. Some parents do this by only speaking their mother tongue at

home, others speak both English and their native language, and still others try to fully

assimilate their children by only teaching them English. My perspective on bilingual and

bicultural children is that it is truly a gift! Being bilingual has many benefits for a child’s

learning. Not only does it help develop their language skills, but it also teaches them to

be more of a global citizen, as they learn about multiculturalism from an early age.

I encourage parents to practice bilingualism at home to the best of their ability. Either

way, children will likely receive an English language education in school, so don’t worry

if your English is not perfect. In today’s world, it helps to be able to speak multiple

languages because it allows you to communicate with more people! In our diverse

society, many families maintain connections to their cultural heritage while embracing

American life. This unique blend often results in children growing up in bilingual

environments, which can offer numerous benefits for their development and future

prospects. So parents, feel free to share your mother culture with your children! They

will learn American culture in school and will still be able to communicate with their

relatives.

One Planet, One People!

In our increasingly interconnected world, the ability to speak multiple languages is

becoming more valuable than ever. For parents raising children in multilingual

households, this presents a unique opportunity to provide their kids with significant

cognitive, social, and cultural benefits.

Research has shown that bilingual children often demonstrate enhanced cognitive

abilities.

They tend to exhibit:

• Improved executive functions, including better attention control and task-switching

skills

• Enhanced problem-solving abilities

• Greater mental flexibility and creativity

Exposure to multiple languages from an early age can lead to:

• Easier acquisition of additional languages later in life

• More nuanced understanding of language structures

• Improved communication skills overall

In the long term, bilingual individuals may benefit from academic and career

advantages:

• Improved academic performance across various subjects

• Enhanced career opportunities in a global job market

• Increased competitiveness in college admissions

Being bilingual can also positively impact a child’s social life by:

• Facilitating connections with a wider range of people

• Fostering a sense of belonging in multiple communities

• Enhancing self-confidence and identity formation

There are many benefits to multilingual households

Embracing bilingualism can be a valuable gift and investment in your children’s future. It

not only enhances their family bonds, cognitive abilities, and cultural awareness but also

prepares them for an increasingly interconnected world. Being bilingual equips children

with skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. Remember that perfect fluency

in both languages isn’t necessary; the exposure and effort are what truly matter.

For monolingual families interested in reaping similar benefits, early exposure to music

education has been shown to have comparable effects on brain development. Engaging

children in musical activities from a young age can enhance their cognitive skills and

even facilitate language learning later in life.

By embracing linguistic diversity, we foster a more understanding and interconnected

global community. In the long run, our children will appreciate the ability to communicate

in multiple languages and have a more global awareness! One Planet, One People!

Cinda Chatfield Parenting Blog Writer