Raising Bilingual Kids Colorín Colorado

One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is the gift of two (or more!) languages. Being bilingual is good for your child's brain, makes communication with grandparents and relatives easier, and is an advantage for finding jobs in the future. To learn more, see our resources for ideas on raising bilingual children here. This blog was created by two Latina moms who wanted to raise their children to be bilingual and proud of their American and Latino cultures. While the blog is no longer being updated, it offers great posts about raising bilingual families, recommended resources, expert advice, and lots of encouragement to parents. School readiness and school success for children who are dual language learners are tied directly to mastery of their home language.

This series of handouts is designed to provide staff and families with basic information on topics related to children learning two or more languages. They emphasize the benefits of being bilingual, the importance of maintaining home language, and the value of becoming fully bilingual. These easy-to-read resources highlight important information that every adult living or working with young dual language learners should know. In our increasingly connected world, raising a bilingual child is a gift that lasts a lifetime. Whether you’re fluent in another language or starting from scratch, Colorado offers a growing number of programs and resources to support bilingual families. Schools like Denver Public and the International School of Denver offer dual-language immersion programs starting as early as kindergarten.

Kids learn core subjects in both English and a second language (usually Spanish or Mandarin), fostering true fluency. Local cultural centers like the Mexican Cultural Center in Denver and Journey Language Center offer weekend or after-school programs for kids of all ages. Hiring a bilingual nanny or joining a language-based playgroup (try checking local Facebook groups) can integrate language learning into daily life through songs, stories, and play. Apps like Duolingo Kids and Lingokids are great supplements, especially for road trips or quiet time. Pair with storybooks and cartoons in the target language. Many libraries in Colorado even offer bilingual storytimes.

Colorado Springs and Denver were ranked by U.S. News & World Report in 2018 as the #2 and #3 best places in the country to live, respectively. In fact, people from all over the world live in Colorado, so of course it’s no surprise that 20% of the state’s residents ages 5 to 17 speak another language. As the population in Colorado and around the U.S. grows and becomes more culturally diverse, parents and caregivers of all backgrounds want to understand how they can help their children thrive, especially as it relates to learning two or more languages. We put together a list of the questions we hear most often about raising bilingual children, and we asked a bilingual speech-language pathologist here at Children’s Colorado for the answers.

Kids are actually born with the ability to learn more than one language and they do not become confused by learning more than one language at the same time. They may switch between languages if they are learning more than one, but it’s not a sign of confusion. Childhood bilingualism, or learning two languages at once as a child, does not harm communication development in any way. Language processing in bilingual children is the same as those who only speak one language. Bilingual children should also know the same amount of words and begin to combine words into phrases at the same time as those who only speak one language. There are many benefits to speaking more than one language.

Studies show that teaching a child a second language and switching between the two languages improves brain function in many areas, including mental flexibility. A result of bilingual parenting is that children are often better at planning, solving problems and staying focused than those who only speak one language. This week, Shanna and Fuzz explore the invaluable resources available on Colorin Colorado, a website dedicated to supporting English learners in the classroom. They highlight the site's wealth of tools designed for teachers, parents, and administrators, making it easier to meet the diverse needs of students learning English. Listeners will learn about key features such as grade-level support, bilingual resources for families, and a comprehensive resource library filled with books, articles, and videos. Shanna emphasizes the importance of these tools for fostering an inclusive learning environment, especially for new teachers or those welcoming English learners into their classrooms.

Tune in for practical insights and tips on effectively utilizing Colorin Colorado to enhance student learning and engagement. Tech Tools for Teachers is part of the Education Podcast Network. https://www.edupodcastnetwork.com/ 01:53 - Exploring Resources for English Learners 05:31 - Exploring Educational Resources for English Learners 07:30 - Exploring Resources for English Learners

Before children start school, they may be exposed to English on TV, in the playground, and in the print they see on cereal boxes and street signs. Children will learn a lot about English from the environment around them. If your child has also had some formal exposure to English, such as going to a playgroup in which English is the primary language spoken, then school can provide additional opportunities for him to... Children and teachers alike can serve as models, helping your child communicate what he knows and can do. You may even be surprised by how quickly he picks up the language as he plays and learns alongside other English-speaking children. If your child has had no formal exposure to English, he will use what he knows about his native language to learn English - which will be a major task.

Talk with your child's teacher about your goals for your child, as well as any concerns you have. Excerpt from "Learning Two Languages." Reprinted with permission from PBS Parents. Yes. You will therefore need to decide if you want your child to maintain his skills in your native language. Consider your long-term goals. If you and your family will not return to your home country, maintaining the native language may not be a priority.

Also consider your family situation. If extended family members don't speak English, it will be important for your child to maintain his native language so he can communicate with people closest to him. Also consider how your child might feel about losing his native language and a sense of his cultural identity when he gets older. Excerpt from "Learning Two Languages." Reprinted with permission from PBS Parents. Talking to your child regularly lays the foundation for her language and literacy development. If you are most comfortable with your native language, you will be better able to communicate your feelings and ideas in that language.

You can use words to label objects and describe what is happening as a way of teaching new words. You can recite rhymes and poems to develop her awareness of sounds. You can take turns talking about the day, things she notices, and books that you read together. La información en esta página es muy útil para los padres que están criando niños bilingües. Colorín Colorado ofrece una gran variedad de recursos, vídeos, y consejos sobre cómo apoyar el bilingüismo de su niña/o/e. Algunos temas incluyen los fundamentos de la lectura, la importancia del idioma materno de su familia, el éxito escolar, la adquisición de un segundo idioma, etc.

Algo que nos gusta de esta página es que la versión en español no es sólo una traducción directa del texto; incluye vídeos de educadores y expertos de habla hispana. Además de estos artículos, Colorín Colorado también ofrece divertidos juegos de lectura, listas de libros bilingües y mucho más. Enlace a la página: https://www.colorincolorado.org/es/familias The information on this page is extremely helpful for parents raising bilingual children. Colorín Colorado provides a wide-variety of resources, videos, and tips on how to support your child’s bilingualism. Some topics include the fundamentals of reading, the importance of your family’s native language, school success, second language acquisition, etc.

One thing we like about this page is that the Spanish version is not just a direct text translation; it includes videos of Spanish-speaking educators and experts. In addition to these articles, Colorín Colorado also offers fun reading games, bilingual booklists, and more! Link to page: https://www.colorincolorado.org/families Tags:bilingual families enlaces familias bilingües links recursos resources sources-para-ustedes Children can learn to use more than one language. They can learn languages at home, at school, or in the community.

Some children can use multiple languages easily. Sometimes they know one language better than others. Over time, the language they use most may change. For example, a child who speaks Spanish at home may start to use English when they start school. To promote multilingualism, help your child develop and maintain their languages by talking, singing, playing, and reading together in the languages you use. Using multiple languages is like any other skill.

You need a lot of practice to do it well. Every multilingual child is unique. Learning two or more languages depends on the amount and type of practice your child gets. Here are some basic guidelines: The number of people in the United States who use more than one language is growing. Being multilingual has advantages, including being better at

Communicate with your child in the language(s) you are most comfortable using. Language practice with you is important—it helps your child produce sounds, learn new words, use full sentences, tell stories, and socialize. Exposure to more words and conversations, no matter the language, can help your child succeed in school. There are different ways to learn another language. You can learn in these ways: This article highlights the diverse leadership experiences of ELL educators and shares ideas for identifying and honing your own leadership capacity.

Do you know a teen reader who loves a scary story? These books highlight the things that can make someone feel welcome in a new place. These stories for middle grades are set in schools across the country. Children especially can learn to be bilingual. They can learn two languages at home, at school, or in the community. Some children learn both languages very well.

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