PRESCHOOL CHINESE ENRICHMENT-Words Recognitions

The Multiple Benefits of Learning More Than One Language

Research strongly supports the benefits of bilingualism in language, literacy, social, and cognitive development. For example, bilingual children have performed better than monolingual speakers on measures of analytical ability, concept formation, cognitive flexibility, and metalinguistic skills (Espinosa, 2008; Hakuta, Ferdman, & Diaz, 1987; Roseberry-McKibbin & Brice, 2005).

While some teachers and parents believe that in order to succeed academically in the U.S. all children must learn English as quickly as possible, research demonstrates just the opposite. In fact, evidence suggests that children who continue to learn academic concepts in their native language while gradually learning English outperform academically and socially children who are immersed in English-only programs (Chang et al., 2007; Restrepo & Kruth, 2003).

How Can Parents Support Dual Language Development?

· Ensure that the environments in which you introduce languages to children are nurturing—whether it is a school, early childhood program, or home (Tabors, 2008).

· Choose an education program that is accepting and supportive of dual language learning.

· If your child is learning a second language sequentially, select a program that allows children to continue to learn academic concepts in their native language as they gradually learn the second or new language (Copple & Bredekamp, 2008).

· Volunteer your time and/or skills in your child’s classroom. This would allow dual language learners the opportunity to communicate in their home language during the day.

· Teach vocabulary or nursery rhymes in your native language to the class or teachers, extending opportunities to practice a second language to all children (Espinosa, 2008).

· Be prepared for the possibility that your children will express disinterest in their native language. Support your children’s interest in maintaining their native language by talking to them about the importance of dual language development.

· Create fun family-oriented activities that will provide opportunities to converse in the home language, such as reading books, singing songs, or playing games together.

· Bring children to activities in which the demand to speak the home language is high, such as in extended family or community gatherings (Tabors, 2008).

Parents play a crucial role in supporting their children’s dual language development. It is a misconception that children are just “natural” learners who effortlessly store and maintain knowledge of languages. Dual language development requires the conscious effort, reinforcement, and support of parents, teachers, and family members (Tabors, 2008).

Ever wondered how you made it through years of lecture and note-taking at schools? You had parents with high expectations. If only the teachers had thrown in a bit of learning keeping in mind, multiple intelligences. Neumind understands.

Neumind offers areas for unstructured play, exploration, activity and reflection. Meeting spaces abound, used for both planned and chance interactions that typify the collaborative Neumind experience. Learning spaces reflect an international educational and aesthetic standard, and are flexible to accommodate the different activities at Neumind. The environment promotes engagement and learning in small group instruction, formal lectures, large group read-alouds or multimedia presentations.