| Running around the neighborhood I bet you have | | | | learn five languagessimultaneously. I will caution |
| heard this onceor twice, "I know she knows how | | | | that you not settle forimmersion for your young |
| to say it. I heard her singingher colors in Spanish | | | | child during her school day. It shouldnot be 'sink or |
| just this morning. Lisa, tell my friendwhat red is in | | | | swim' in the English only classroom for the |
| Spanish right now!" Or perhaps this scenariorings a | | | | Spanish speaking child nor should a Spanish only |
| bell, "Jorge, I am warning you! No more English. | | | | class be usedwith your English speaking first |
| Ifyou want something, you have to ask me in | | | | grader. Your child should beallowed contact with |
| Spanish startingahora!" | | | | his/her native language throughout the dayuntil at |
| Parents across the world see a very global future | | | | least the age of 8-10 years old. |
| for theirchildren and want to prepare them for it. | | | | 5. For Spanishspeaking families it is a lot of work |
| We have read or heardabout the experts' reports | | | | to continue your nativelanguage within your home |
| of bilingual children scoring higheron standardized | | | | and community when English is thedominant and |
| tests and reading sooner than monolingualchildren. | | | | daily language your child hears. As in most |
| Yet there seems to be a struggle to achieve | | | | ofparenting, keep a smile first of all. Refuse to fall |
| thatblissful state of learning. | | | | into thetrap of making your child 'perform' in your |
| Many times children rebel at using their native | | | | native Spanishlanguage. Encourage your child to |
| language of | | | | appreciate their nativelanguage by appreciating it |
| Spanish; thus eliciting threats from the parent of | | | | yourself and speaking it with love. |
| nocommunication in any other language but | | | | Try not threaten to speak only in Spanish to your |
| Spanish. Then there isthe Anglo parent who, with | | | | child in orderto get them to respond back to you |
| all good intentions, eagerly enrollstheir child in a | | | | in Spanish. This willalienate them from you, their |
| fairly expensive once-a-week language class;only | | | | language and their heritage. Yourchild will |
| to wonder why that same child will not 'perform' | | | | understand everything you say to them, but your |
| for familyand friends her new words in Spanish. | | | | childmight often times make the conscious effort |
| With the following seven simple steps and | | | | to refuse toverbalize back in their native tongue |
| suggestions you andyour family can bloom into a | | | | due to your threats. Onelast note: You, as the |
| second language journey -blissfully and with smiles: | | | | parent, need to practice your newlanguage of |
| 1. Start the second language learning as early in | | | | English. Try to make it a family effort to |
| your child'slife as possible. Experts agree - the | | | | softenyour accent when speaking English. Instead |
| earlier, the better. | | | | of being embarrassedby your Spanish accent, |
| Think of how you learned your native language. | | | | show your child you are proud to be |
| It's all aboutvocabulary at first so remember that | | | | Hispanic and will continue to work on your new |
| repetition is the key forall your child's learning. | | | | language as youask your child to work on their |
| Experts say it is just as easy for achild to learn | | | | native language. Practice whatyou preach! |
| two words in two languages for one item as it | | | | 6. Have realistic expectations for your child. |
| isto learn just one word. Introduce the new | | | | Becoming fluent in a new language takes time and |
| language bilingually,using the native language and | | | | takes livingthe language. Avoid getting a |
| the new together, for any childbirth through 8-10 | | | | one-on-one tutor for your childduring the early |
| years old. (Immersion should be used forchildren 8 | | | | years (birth - 8 years old). This languagejourney |
| -10 and older.) | | | | should be fun - filled with music, games and |
| 2. Find a bilingual language learningprogram, product | | | | creativity |
| or class for your child that incorporates | | | | (not conjugating verbs and grammar). Try not to |
| thefollowing components necessary for success: | | | | look for yourchild to be conversational after |
| visual, music,beginning reading and verbal | | | | benchmarks you set up yourself. |
| exchange. Give your child theopportunity to enjoy | | | | Every child learns and develops differently - allow |
| the new language daily for 10 to 30 minutes | | | | your childto enjoy this language learning by not |
| (depending upon the age of your child, more time | | | | pressuring your child toexcel in or perform in |
| needs to bespent as your child continues to | | | | either language. The sign of a truelinguist is one |
| develop his language skills). | | | | who code switches. That is, one who can |
| 3. Show your child you value speaking a second | | | | flowbetween both languages easily within one |
| language. If youspeak mainly English in your home | | | | sentence, one thought,one conversation. |
| invite a Spanish speakingfriend over, attend | | | | 7. The ideal situation in any home where |
| cultural events where both native & | | | | theparent wishes to raise a bilingual child is for one |
| newlanguages are spotlighted through music, | | | | parent tospeak Spanish full time with their young |
| dance, food and moreand turn on the Spanish | | | | child while the otherparent speaks English full time. |
| channel on TV and the radio. If youspeak mainly | | | | They would flow back and forthbetween the two |
| Spanish in your home invite new English | | | | languages - explaining things in both |
| speakingfriends over and get them involved in | | | | languageswhen possible. We all realize this takes a |
| learning Spanish as youcook for them, entertain | | | | tremendous amount ofeffort. We also realize that |
| them and welcome them into your home,visit the | | | | this is not the norm in mosthouseholds across the |
| local library for bilingual books and funchildren's | | | | world which is why we look for simplesolutions |
| programs and make learning the new language | | | | that fit into our daily lives. |
| funfor your child and yourself. | | | | You can do this. You can give your child the gift |
| 4. Do not allow anyone try toconvince you that | | | | of a secondlanguage. You are your child's best |
| learning a second language needs to come | | | | teacher. You just need tofind the tools to jump |
| afteryour child has mastered her native language. | | | | start their second language journeytoday. You |
| The myth thatchildren will be language delayed or | | | | know what makes your child excited about |
| have a language disorder ifa new language is | | | | learning. |
| introduced early in life is just that - amyth. The | | | | You know what you can fit into your daily routine |
| latest study out of Texas on this subject | | | | and still makeit fun for all. You just need to do it! |
| suggeststhat children up to the age of five can | | | | |