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Hello there! I’m Katrina, a linguist specializing in bilingual language development and a coach specializing in supporting parents to raise their children with multiple languages.
After years in academia (I have PhD Candidacy!) studying and working with a wide range of bilinguals and multilinguals I began to notice a pattern. While the majority of the world is bilingual, parents are seriously lacking the knowledge and support they need to successfully raise their children to speak multiple languages. That’s where I come in, through my work at Bringing up Bilinguals I’m on a mission to bring research-backed, data-driven, and evidence-based linguistic knowledge to support families on their unique bilingual journey. I’m so happy to be collaborating with Juliana and Language Mindset to be guest authoring a series of blog posts highlighting some of the science behind language learning and development.
Here are five quick hacks to help support your child in learning language that seamlessly fit into your busy schedule:
In today's fast-paced world, finding time to support your child's language learning journey can be challenging. Luckily, incorporating some simple yet effective hacks into your daily routine can make a significant difference in nurturing your child's language development.
1. Make Language Learning a Daily Ritual
Integrate language learning into your daily rituals to ensure consistency and continuity, which are essential for language development. Designate specific times throughout the day, such as meal times, bedtime, or commute times, as opportunities for language immersion. Use these moments to engage your child in conversation, read bilingual books, or listen to language podcasts together. By weaving language learning into your daily routine, you create a conducive environment for your child to absorb and internalize new vocabulary and language structures effortlessly. Small blocks of time (looking at you, morning drive to school) can add up over time if done consistently.
2. Leverage Technology for Interactive Learning
There is no better time for helping create language immersion through tech than there is now. Explore language games and online resources that cater to children's linguistic development and interests. Encourage your child to speak with a target-language speaking friend or family member or record a short video speaking their second language. These digital tools not only capture your child's interest but also provide valuable reinforcement and feedback to enhance their language skills in a dynamic and engaging way.
3. Create a Language-Rich Environment at Home
Transform your home into a language-rich environment by surrounding your child with linguistic stimuli. Label everyday objects with their corresponding names in the target language, decorate the walls with bilingual posters and charts, and play music or videos in the target language. Additionally, expose your child to diverse cultural experiences through language-related activities such as cooking international dishes, celebrating cultural holidays, or attending language-themed events. By immersing your child in a language-rich environment, you foster natural language acquisition and cultural appreciation.
4. Encourage Multisensory Learning Activities
Engage your child in multisensory learning activities that stimulate different sensory modalities to reinforce language learning. Incorporate hands-on activities such as arts and crafts, cooking, gardening, or sensory play, where your child can explore language concepts through tactile, visual, auditory, and kinesthetic experiences. Experiment with storytelling, role-playing, and drama activities that encourage your child to use language creatively and expressively. By appealing to multiple senses, you enhance your child's engagement, retention, and comprehension of their language.
5. Seek out Language Opportunities
Create opportunities for your child to interact with native speakers or peers who speak the target language. Seek out a playgroup or a cultural event where your child can engage in authentic conversations and social interactions in the target language. Encourage your child to participate in language-related activities such as pen-pal exchanges, language clubs, or virtual language exchange platforms. By fostering meaningful language exchange opportunities, you provide your child with valuable exposure to authentic language use from peers which goes beyond language input but encourages motivation and desire to continue learning. Incorporating these quick hacks into your busy schedule can make a significant impact on supporting your child's language learning journey. By making language learning a daily ritual, leveraging technology for interactive learning, creating a language-rich environment at home, encouraging multisensory learning activities, and fostering language exchange opportunities, you empower your child to develop proficiency and fluency in a new language while navigating the demands of modern life.
Want to give yourself the support you need to ensure your child’s continuing bilingual success? Use code: LANGUAGEMINDSET for 50€ off any 3-month signature coaching program.
I’m Katrina and I’m a linguist specializing in childhood bilingualism and heritage language acquisition. Originally from Toronto, I’ve spent the last 8 years living between Canada and Spain where I’ve completed two degrees in linguistics and received doctoral candidacy for my research on English as a home language in multilingual children in Spain. As a bilingual parenting coach I work with families around the world bringing my years of experience and expertise to your multilingual home. Raising children can be stressful and with all the advice out there it can be hard to know what is relevant and applicable for your bilingual family. I’m here to take away some of the stress and anxiety that comes with bilingual development and help set your family on the best path forward (backed by science).
Connect with Katrina:
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/bringingupbilinguals/
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