Table of contents:
- When should children be introduced to a second language?
- How do you teach a second language to children?
Being able to master many languages is considered important at this time. Language is a means of communication, so the more languages that can be mastered, the more children will learn and develop.
We cannot deny that the world is getting wider, so that children's opportunities to develop in the international world are getting bigger. For that, children are required to be able to master many languages. However, sometimes you as a parent are confused about how and when your child should be introduced to a new language.
When should children be introduced to a second language?
According to various studies, the earlier you teach a child a second language, the better. The earlier the child is introduced to a new language, it means that the more time available for the child to learn a language, compared to children who have just learned a language at the umpteenth age. Moreover, childhood is a period where children have a lot of time to learn and children are also easier to accept learning at this time.
The period in which children are not yet in school, especially at the age of 3 years, is a period where the basics for thinking, language, behavior, attitudes, talents, and other characteristics are developing rapidly, as said Ronald Kotulak, author of the book " Inside the Brain ”, which was quoted from Early Childhood News. Thus, the third year of age is a good start for children to learn languages.
At the age of 3 years, the child has begun to be fluent in using their mother tongue, and at this age the child is ready to learn a new language, so that the child will have no trouble distinguishing which language is their mother tongue and which is their second language.
As much as 50% of children's learning abilities develop at the age of 1 year and 30% develop at the age of 8 years. This means that the age of children up to 8 years is a critical period for children to learn and develop a lot. In addition, experts have also examined how the physiology of the brain affects its ability to learn language. In fact, the brain of children up to the age of 8 years has plasticity or flexibility, which allows children to learn language easily. It is at this critical time that the brain is able to absorb various information and knowledge easily.
The earlier the child is introduced to a new language, the easier it will be for the child to accept it. The earlier a child learns a language, the better he will be able to imitate new sounds and their pronunciations. In childhood, the brain is still wide open to be able to accept new sounds and languages.
In addition, learning a second language also provides benefits for children. Research by Harvard University shows that learning additional languages can improve children's critical thinking skills, creativity, and flexibility of mind. By learning repetitive language, it is also able to increase brain power and memory of children.
How do you teach a second language to children?
There are 6 main things that can stimulate brain development during a child's critical period, namely through sight, sound, taste, touch, smell, and movement. Therefore, you can teach children a second language by stimulating these 6 things.
The following are ways you can teach children a second language.
- Using pictures. You can show pictures, such as pictures of animals, fruit, vegetables, and other things, while saying what's in the picture in a second language.
- Learn to use music and rhythm. Music is one way to stimulate all brain functions. Lyrics combined with music make it easier for children to learn because they are easier for children to remember.
- Learn using body movements. Encourage children to use their body and mind at the same time. This can help children to remember.
- Learning by touching. You can teach your child to count in a second language by singing a song, moving and touching your fingers.
- Learn by feeling. You can offer children a variety of foods and invite them to name the food in a second language.
- Learn by kissing. You can invite children to play by guessing food or smelly objects in a closed place, then ask the child to say the guess using a second language.
- Play while studying. You can do all kinds of fun things with your child while talking to him in a second language.
- Teaching children in a relaxed manner. Don't scold your child when he can't follow you. Making children stressed while studying can discourage children from learning.
