How to Teach a Toddler a Different Language

Learning a second language in this country is almost a requirement. They say it won't be too long before English becomes the U.S.A's second language. The best time to learn another language (or two...or three) is when you're a toddler. Obviously if you can read this, you're well past that point...but it's a good idea to start to teach your children another language. Spanish is obviously a good choice, and they say Mandarin Chinese is becoming the language of business. For a toddler, it's easy learning a second language. They have more neuronal connections in their brain, and the more they use their brain (say, the language section) the stronger those connections will get. They're at an amazing stage of learning...they seem to gain hordes of new knowledge every day! It may seem extremely difficult to teach another language to a toddler, but it just takes time and consistency.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• TV (and/or internet)
• flash cards
• paper and pencil
• language books (and/or CD's)
• time and patience

1. The first thing to do is incorporate the new language into everyday life. When you tell them to sit down, instead of using your language (let's just go with english), say "sit down" in spanish, pause momentarily, then follow with "sit down." You're associating the new language with something they already know. If you don't know the language you're trying to teach your toddler, then learn! Get books, audio tapes, and watch tv programs containing spanish (or your language of choice).
2. Encourage them to watch tv shows that have a second language incorporated into them. For example, Dora the Explorer (on Nick Jr.) uses both spanish and english, as well as Sesame Street. Watch with them and interact. If you learn a new word or phrase, start using it immediately. Also go online and check out websites that teach a second language. Look for ones that have the words and their translations (and it's best if you can click on the word and hear how it's pronounced).
3. Get multi-lingual flash cards. Numbers, words, etc. Try to learn a new word everyday. That may sound like a lot, but just think about how much toddlers already learn. If you have a toddler, you know how it is. One day they're saying "more juice" and the next they they've extended it to "I want more juice, momma." So learn a word each day.
4. Get books on learning a new language, like "Spanish for Dummies" or something like that. You'll not only learn words, but eventually grammar. And don't forget to write the words and their translations down! It helps you remember, and you can show it to your toddler. Try writing the word you want to test them on in spanish, and ask them what it means in English. If they don't get it right, just keep practicing. Their brains are like sponges. They'll get it soon enough.
5. Try and enroll your child in a special program where they can be around people (even adults, but especially other children) who speak the language you're teaching him/her. It will help for him to be around children his own age who speak his second language...it'll help him use it more, and he'll become more fluent. And adults can be there to correct his grammar. Even if you have a friend who speaks the language, let them know what you're doing and see if they'll help maybe once a week with teaching him. It'll help you and your toddler to be around someone who knows the language.
6. These steps may seem easy enough, but remember: you can do it every other day. You need to apply these steps ANY TIME IT'S POSSIBLE. Go slower in the beginning...start with a few words, but you'll see that the more you use the words the faster your child's vocabulary will grow.

Tips & Warnings

• I cannot reiterate enough...use the words in everyday talk and practice, practice, practice!! If you do this it will become second nature for your toddler to use the second language.
• Please don't expect that they'll be masters of their second language in a few months. It takes a long time to learn a second language...and they can only be as good as their teacher. So learn with them.