11 Benefits of Learning a Second Language at an Early Age

1) Enhanced Memory

Studies show that being bilingual can improve memory skills. Speaking two languages causes children to remember and connect concepts across languages. This can expand their memory and help with all different kinds of activities that require memorization.

Bilingual children often have stronger memories than monolingual kids, which can support concentration, creativity and problem solving. To enhance language learning, try playing a matching memory card game where kids have to match up a picture with the word in a foreign language.

2) Appreciation for Other Cultures

Learning a second language can help children better understand another culture and expand their view of the world. It will also encourage children to connect with others who speak that language and grow to appreciate their points of view and customs.

To further facilitate this cultural appreciation, consider implementing cultural activities like cooking meals, making arts and crafts, or celebrating holidays with your little one. Practice speaking the language while trying these new activities. You can also label different elements of the activity with words from the new language. For example, if you’re cooking, you can label the bowl, the spoon, the pan, etc.

3) Improved Social Skills

Learning a second language at an early age will naturally allow children to connect with a wider group of people.

Being bilingual can prompt kids to pick up on other’s social cues more easily and understand their perspectives, thoughts and intentions. This, in turn, will make your child a stronger communicator, which will facilitate new friendships and deeper bonds.

4) Better Performance in School

Learning a second language can increase a child’s phonological awareness, or the way that spoken language is broken down. This can cause them to improve faster in reading and writing activities.

The process of learning a second language also improves problem-solving skills, which can impact all coursework and subjects, including math and science.

5) Long-term Cognitive Health

Becoming bilingual as a child may have positive cognitive effects much later in life. In fact, being bilingual can help delay the effects of Alzheimer’s disease by four years. This shows the powerful impact that learning a foreign language has on keeping the brain sharp and active.

6) Improved Creativity

Being bilingual can help boost creativity in children as they constantly have to find new ways to express their ideas across different languages.

If a child doesn’t know how to say something in one language, they can use their creativity to come up with a clever way to say it in their second language.

7) Ease of Learning a Third Language

It can be easier for kids to pick up a third language once they know two. This can benefit them later in life when they want to expand the breadth of languages they speak. If they move to another country, they’re more likely to pick up that language faster if they already know two.

8) Increased Education and Career Opportunities

While your kids may still be very young, learning a second language can open them up to incredible opportunities later in life.

Many employers seek out bilingual applicants, so learning a second language expands the range of jobs available. People who speak more than one language can earn 5-20% more than those who don’t.

Learning a foreign language can also open study abroad opportunities or learning experiences in new countries, like top universities in other countries that don’t teach in English.

9) Strengthen Empathy

Constantly switching between languages will help children understand that other people see the world differently. This can encourage kids to develop empathy for others and their unique situations. Building up a child’s sense of empathy can also make them more tolerant and less likely to bully other children.

Looking for more ways to help your child develop empathy? Check out our blog on activities for developing empathy.

10) Build Self Confidence

Learning a second language can help children develop confidence and self-esteem. Being bilingual improves kids' communication skills, making them more confident about speaking up and expressing themselves.

Children also often feel proud of their ability to speak more than one language, and eager to show off what they know, further boosting their self-esteem. Knowing a second language can also help them adapt to new and unusual situations more easily, which can build confidence.

11) Connection to Heritage

Oftentimes, parents will teach their kids a language that connects them to their heritage. This can prompt kids to form a better understanding of where they come from, which can cause them to feel proud of their culture and background.

If a grandparent knows the language, this can be a great way for children to practice and enhance their bond with their grandparents. Their grandparents will be able to share stories in their native language about where they came from.

What is the best age for my child to learn a second language?

Children start to develop language skills while still in the womb. Infants babble in their native language, and newborns imitate the speech they heard while in the womb when crying.

Since the wheels of language development start turning at such a young age, the sooner you can expose a child to a second language the better. It will be easiest for children to achieve the fluency of a native speaker if they start learning a language by age 10.

What is the best second language for my child to learn?

The best language to teach your child will depend on many factors, including your community and the languages you already speak.

For example, if you live in an area with a lot of Spanish speakers, it could be wise to teach your child Spanish so they can have people nearby to practice with. Along the same lines, if one parent is already fluent in a language, that would be a convenient language to teach a child.

Mandarin is the most widely spoken language globally and could be a great choice to teach your child. Spanish, French and Portuguese are also prominently spoken languages that could open up your child to new cultures and opportunities.

How do I help my child learn a second language?

If you’re brand new to teaching your child a new language, here are a few home strategies for bilingualism.

• Provide entertainment and media in the new language. Encourage your kids to learn a new language with books, music, movies and TV shows. This will help immerse your child in the new language while doing things they enjoy at home.

• Join a local class. See what options are available to take a class near you. If you live in Indianapolis, check out the Cultured Kids Club. It offers classes both in person and online and are designed to progress students to bilingual proficiency. Classes in Spanish, French and Chinese are available.

• Try singing together. Singing songs in a new language is a fun way for kids to start sounding out new words. Try to sing simple songs they already know in a different language, like Happy Birthday.

• Talk slowly, simply and clearly. When trying to teach a child a new language, it’s important to slow down your speech and speak distinctly. This will help your child interpret the sounds easier and start repeating them.

• Play a game. Games are a great way to practice a new language. You can play charades in the second language, or play charades in English and explain what the word is in the other language.

• Search for a child care program. Some child care programs offer care in multiple languages. On the Early Learning Marketplace, you can search for programs in Indiana that provide care in English and Spanish.