The Benefits of Bilingualism in Children

Learning a second language is about so much more than memorizing vocabulary. For children, another language can open the door to new ways of communicating, connecting, thinking, and understanding the world.

And the best part? Children are incredibly capable language learners.

Bilingualism Builds Communication Skills

Learning two languages gives children opportunities to communicate with more people and in different settings. It also helps them develop awareness of how language works. They begin noticing that the same idea can be expressed in different ways, building valuable language awareness and flexibility. (asha.org)

It Gives Their Brains a Workout

You may have heard that bilingual children automatically have better cognitive skills. The research is actually more nuanced. Studies have found possible connections between bilingualism and skills such as attention and cognitive flexibility, but results have not been consistent across all studies. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

What we do know is that using two languages gives children meaningful opportunities to pay attention to language, switch between languages, and think about how communication works.

Bilingualism Helps Children Connect With Cultures

Language carries stories, traditions, music, humor, and family history. Learning Spanish can help children connect with Spanish-speaking family members and communities while developing curiosity and appreciation for cultures beyond their own.

For many families, learning another language isn't just about what a child can say. It's about the people they can connect with.

Learning Two Languages Does Not Confuse Children

This is one of the biggest myths about bilingualism!

Children can learn to distinguish between languages, and mixing languages is a normal part of bilingual development. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association notes that using multiple languages does not confuse children or cause speech and language problems. (asha.org)

Children also don't need to speak both languages perfectly to benefit from learning them. Language develops through meaningful exposure, interaction, practice, and time.

Start Small, Keep It Meaningful

You don't need to turn your entire home or learning space into a Spanish classroom to give your child opportunities to learn.

Spanish can be incorporated into things you're already doing:

• Sing a Spanish song at circle time.

• Count in Spanish during a game.

• Use Spanish during snack or cleanup.

• Read a bilingual story.

• Practice simple greetings each morning.

  
  

Even a few minutes of meaningful Spanish throughout the day can give children valuable exposure.

The goal isn't perfection. The goal is connection and meaningful exposure.

At GogoLearn Spanish, that's exactly how I approach language learning. I believe children learn best when Spanish feels like something they do, not another subject they have to memorize. Through stories, songs, games, movement, and comprehensible input, we can make Spanish a natural and joyful part of childhood!

Sources & Further Readings

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Learning More Than One Language. (asha.org)

• Lowe, C. J., et al. (2021). The Bilingual Advantage in Children’s Executive Functioning Is Not Related to Language Status: A Meta-Analytic Review. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)