We’ve been talking about how our babies are inundated with media to make them smarter. One of the more “trendy” things to do is to teach your baby a foreign language. There is everything from audio, to books to DVDs and just about anything else you can name. The question is. . .is it worth the money?
What is Your Goal?
If you are thinking that your child will become fluent in a foreign language (as one product geared towards babies claimed) you’re wasting your money. If there is a media product out there that will make your child fluent in a foreign language that is not spoken in the home. . .I haven’t found it.
On the other hand, babies are extremely adept at picking up the unique sounds and patterns in a language. I personally believe that introducing your little one to a foreign language can facilitate language learning later on. . .but does it have to be in front of the TV?
The answer to that is yes and no! Your baby derives meaning from the words you use by watching your cues and through interaction. Think about the last conversation you had with your baby. Ours was about the snack we just ate and it went something like this:
ME: Emily, do you want a banana or an apple? (As I go to the fridge and get out fruit for snack time.)
(Emily points to the banana).
ME: Oh you want a banana? Can I peel it for you? (I ask while I’m peeling).
(Emily nods and then, eagerly shoves her mouth full of banana).
Emily is learning not only what an apple or banana looks like, but what a question sounds like by the intonation of my voice. She also is learning what makes a banana a banana as opposed to an apple, orange, or anything else. There are a whole slew of things your baby is learning from you while you speak not to mention that he is picking up on tons of little clues that you leave in the way you speak.
Learning a foreign language isn’t really that different. However, unless you’re a native speaker and consistently speak to your child, you are likely to need the help of something that your child can both hear and see. This is important because language is so much more than just translating word for word. Babies will listen to what is said but also what is happening and the integration of both is important to learning a foreign language.
So should you spend the money on that product? If it is merely flashcards, a bingo game or something that simply pairs words with pictures–probably not. Likewise, things that blend words of the target language along with mostly English are not really going to give your child an ‘ear’ for foreign languages (although I know many a Dora fans that will repeat several vocabulary words.) If, on the other hand, it is a program that is engaging and pairs native speech with action that the child can watch and derive meaning from, then it may well be worth the investment. However, you should expect to sit and watch with your child as well as use the language outside of just watching the cartoon (or whatever the media happens to be).
They say that foreign languages are best learned from birth through age 5. This is the ‘language’ window. If you are native speaker, the best way to teach your baby a foreign language is to constantly speak to him in that language. But if you need a little help, make sure to pair native speaking with visual and auditory cues. Will you be teaching your child a foreign language or will you wait until school?
Related Articles:
Teaching Your Baby a Foreign Language
Foreign Language in Elementary School
10 Good Reasons for Foreign Laanguages