Learn grandma’s language

Children are born with the innate ability to learn any language, and the earlier they are exposed to different languages, the more likely they are to understand them. Language plays a vital role in connecting us with our family and cultural heritage, and speaking with family members in their first language can significantly boost a child’s confidence and ability to communicate effectively.

Here are some helpful tips:

• Make time for your children to speak to relatives in the target language. Though they might reply in English, with time, they will be able to link the words in the two languages.
• Hearing language is a really important part of learning language for young children. The more they hear you speak, the more they will pick it up.
• Speaking with family members in the target language will help build your child’s confidence in communicating.
• It can be useful to add signs or gestures that are the same across languages
• Sharing stories is a great way to introduce your child to new words. Relatives can tell stories from the culture of the target language.

The earlier the child experiences another language and the more they are exposed to it, the easier it will be for them to learn. Learning a new language from Grandma and other relatives is a social opportunity for your children to use the language.