How to Raise a Bilingual Child?

A language game is very interesting and complex at the same time. A child follows what he is taught and shown. It is up to parents how they condition their kid and make them bilingual. There are certain difficulties and a bit of struggle involved in the process but terming it as will- o’- the- wisp would be wrong. In fact, it is the most interesting and educational process where parents and the child can learn simultaneously. Some parents are abreast of languages; they find this task to be a cakewalk. However, others find it really tough owing to the fact that they need to train themselves first to teach their child.

We can raise a bilingual child through persistence, perseverance and an unbridled dedication. Considering the requirement and exigency of being bilingual, it is important that the family members contribute their bit to add to the knowledge of the kid. The environment is what impacts the child most. If you dole out information regularly, he or she will assimilate it quickly. You need to keep the process simple and smooth. The majority language gets into our conscious naturally due to its repetition and excessive use. It is the minority language that needs to be honed in a child.

How To Raise A Bilingual Child?

Raising a bilingual child comes with its own set of problems. You must check on your activities and language to teach your child. If you manage to take the challenge head-on, things can run smoothly. Given below are the pointers which will help you in raising a bilingual child:

#1. Have A Goal

If you want your child to be bilingual, you need to have an objective in mind first of all. Be clear about what you want. In order to raise him or her well-versed in two languages, you need to train your mind as well. It is the responsibility of both parents and kids to push themselves to learn a language. Also, do things that are in line with your aim. Do not rush unnecessarily, and for things that are irrelevant. So, brace yourself up for the challenge and make sure you pass it with flying colors.

#2. Be Acquainted On The Subject

Parents need to be well-informed of the language they want to teach their kids. They should focus on the language they are not comfortable with. Sometimes people speak one language pretty proficiently and fluently but do not have an iota of an idea about the other one. Therefore, work on the language where he or she hesitates. Also, you need to learn the same to teach them. Ultimately, it is the environment that they learn the most. So, with the help of online books, self-help books and regular practice of speaking and writing can enhance your kid’s skills.

#3. Follow A Strategy Or A Pattern

The language which your kids learn from the community is the majority language. He or she can learn it from a number of people. You need to adopt a plan which you can hammer out for brushing up the language your child is less used to. You can schedule some sessions for the language you want to teach your kids. Make sure you use it in a maximum capacity so that the kids learn them naturally. Kids learn things more easily and quickly, and it’s better if we teach them in the daily course of life while playing or indulging in conversation than forcefully drilling it in their minds.

#4. Go With The Mantra Carpe Diem

Drop by drop the ocean fills. You need to put inputs in your exercise regularly. Grab every opportunity of teaching your kids in any form. If you make it a daily habit, it will become a normal routine for them. The more they will learn, the more they will put it into practice. Believe in the present and make efforts and ask your kids to be show propensity towards minority language in the bargain. Learning a minority language is a matter of a long time, so you must work on it each day.

#5. Be Patient

Kids do learn things quickly, but this does not hold true for every child. Each child is different, and the learning capacity of each kid varies. Also, one does not become a pro in a language at a rate of knots. You will see your kid progressing when you give them their own good time. Learn the art of patience; things will fall into place slowly and gradually. A complete grasp of a language does not happen overnight.

#6. Talk As Much As You Can

You must have heard some kids blessed with the gift of the gab, am I right? It is not a walk in the park, though it is not a rocket science. Your child will learn a language only if you talk to him or her. Start your day by talking to him or her. When a child hears you conversing in a particular language, they will catch up on the meanings and see the patterns of language. You will certainly notice the changes in your child.

For instance, if you keep on using some phrases ad nauseam, he or she will use them abruptly in a conversation. This makes you happy, and child also becomes confident.

#7. Create A Dead Ringer For Yourself

In this fast-paced life, everyone is occupied. We don’t have time on hands to dedicate to our children. What we can do is create our doppelganger and get our kids glued to us. We can make our own videos and ask him or her to watch it. Children have a fascination towards technology these days, they take no time to understand the rudiments of it. So, try creating and contributing yourself by being present with your kids and by teaching them.

#8. Narrate Stories To Your Kids

There is no denying the fact that kids who hear stories develop a creative streak. It is because of the power of storytelling. Narrate them your life’s events starting from the cradle to the point you are talking to him. Engage them in lively conversations. Cook up your own stories and regale them with your own comical and whimsical inputs. They will feel amused and will show keen interest. Also, they will know how you interact.

#9. Soldier On – No Matter What

At times, when you don’t get any desired response or favorable outcome, you feel morose and hopeless. Some parents start with enthusiasm but their vivacity and vim taper off when they progress. You ought to lunge in this direction and breeze through the struggles no matter what. Nothing goes waste, so just continue to teach your kid. The results can be a little late, but they will definitely bob up eventually.

#10. Maintain A Diary

The two languages – the majority and the minority, as mentioned above must be balanced. It is evident that children will learn the language which is commonly and frequently used around them. It goes with the territory. What if you don’t talk to your child? The entire human species learn to connect through language. It is the minority language that needs to be drummed up in your child, to maintain a record of his or progress over a certain period. This will let you know about the changes you need to introduce.

You can also show the diary to your kids to show them their level of improvement. Make it a healthy affair.

#11. Assign Work

Discipline is also important when it comes to teaching your kids about the language game. If you assign them to work, they will have a schedule to stick to. You can also mark them so that they can strive for more the next time. This fuels their encouragement and curiosity to learn a language. Start this custom from the beginning else they will find it rigorous later in life. They will become accustomed to it. They are sure to pull their faces if you commence this out of the blue.

#12. Chat With Grandparents

An inclination towards English is very common these days and everyone wants to converse in that. If your entire family talks in the same language other than grandparents, you should prod your child to learn the language in which their grandparents talk. They can help balance the knowledge of the language, and your kid could learn both languages pretty well. The grandparents can be contacted through video calls to cut distance if they live in a different city.

#13. Travel With Your Kids

You can plan trips with your kids where your child can be developed culturally and mentally. An overall development is very important and when your kid moves places with you, it will imbibe things which he or she would not learn sitting at home. So go for a holiday where your child can learn the minority language. The entire language cannot be learned on vacation, but he or she would definitely squirrel away some phrases and words which will be used in the normal conversation.

#14. Ignite Natural Passions

In accordance with the interests and preferences of your kid, you can teach them things. Show them images, videos, and charts where they can see and understand the language. A visual impression lasts forever. Inculcate interest, in all likelihood, and they would feel attracted towards all the audios and videos and start learning the language.

Have opinions on how to raise a bilingual child? Please feel free to chip in with your comments. We would love to hear from you on this.

(Image Courtesy: 1. Huffington Post, 2. Today's Parent, 3. Reading Kingdom, 4. Scholastic, 5. Pens & Patron; Our Kids Magazine(Featured Image Courtesy)