Bilingualism comes with many benefits for children,
including a better ability to deal with distractions and
faster mental processing.[1] Bilingual reading ability is an
important part of raising bilingual children; yet, for
bilingual families, getting a child to start reading in both
languages naturally is next to impossible. It needs to be
learned the hard way - often for money - at a later age. Yet
there is a window of opportunity that parents can take
advantage of to teach bilingual reading at home. This
article explains the technique to use early in your child's
life, and it's one that's easy, fun and free.
!! Steps !!
Start early. If you can, start this technique at preschool, as
that's the best window of opportunity, although it's not too late to
start at early school age either. Ages 6 months to four years are
the optimal time for learning a second language.[2] Resolve the
home language. Though this step is optional, consistency is
important. If you decide to speak only one language at home (for
example, your native language in a country with a different
language), resolve to stick with this. It will not hamper your child
if you speak your native language if you start early and stick to
it. Some families also choose to have the mother speak the mother's
native language, and the father speak the father's language;
whatever works best for you is fine but it remains important that
your child can see consistency.
* Note that the method outlined in this article is unsuitable for
trilingual families (where the mother speaks one language, the
father another, and your child is learning yet another one at
school).
Make it a game. Much like in other activities, your child will learn
more effortlessly if it is turned into a game and it's _fun_.[3]
When your child is comfortable, talk about a "school game", or a
"letter game" you could play. (Avoid saying "learning" or
"translation" as they sound like a task to avoid.) Gauge your
child's reaction and don't force it.
* Make it short without forcing. Play it for a short period or leave
the game in plain sight and wait till your child initiates.
Have an initial game plan. Once you get your child's
self-initiated cooperation, work out a game plan. Follow the steps
below, and don't rush. Once the process is natural you'll find
yourself improvising more and more.
* First few sessions: play around with letters with no particular
reason in mind. This will familiarize your child and create the
feel of a non-threatening environment.
* Next ask for a short favorite word. Propose one from a favorite
movie or TV show if you need to give help.
* Work that name. Think how you can "work" that name. It (or one
similar in sound) should be suitable to follow for the next steps.
Arrange the letters and read it aloud, one-by-one a little faster
every time.
Smile to the trick. Smile and tell your child that here comes the
"tricky part." Your child need to close his eyes. Children will be
intrigued and delighted to play along. (You'll be surprised just how
many times this works.)
* Tell him no peeking. Now take away the front letter.
* Allow your child to look and say once more "This is very tricky."
(Tell them what you did by repeating the word and that you removed
the front letter.)
* Now ask them to "read" aloud. Try it and you'll be surprised
because with a little encouragement they'll do it.
Acknowledge your child's efforts. Let your child feel proud of her
effort and achievement. Repetition is the easiest, most rewarding
reinforcement.
* Now repeat same as above with back letter.
* Do one or two more words per session. Repeat with playful
variations.
Start a translation game. Once you both get into some kind of
habit where you both accept rules of the game (your child will
come up with some rules too, so be ready to accommodate one or
two), it's time to start the translation game. This needs a little
planning too; again, the words chosen should be easy and suitable.
* Think up a word that would appeal to your child which could be
rearranged into a word in _your_ language.
Vary it. Once you've found a good word, follow these steps:
* After the front and back game, rearrange as before, while he
closes his eyes. Tell him that it's now even trickier!
* Read out the word aloud. Tell your child that it's in your
language and ask him what he thinks it means. Then tell him. Don't
tell him that it's a translation to begin with; only do this after
the process has become very natural.
Reinforce it some more. Reinforce this process with more positive
experiences.
* Let her choose from your selection. Let your child watch videos in
the two different languages. This way she _will_ request one
language or other, just to exercise her freedom of choice. You can
pick up the main character and talk about its different names in
the two languages.
* Play a letter block game on this name too.
* Find a playmate who speaks the second language to come over and
play often.[4] It will do both children good, and it makes it a
lot more fun.
* Be inventive. There's no excuse: your child *is* inventive, that's
how she or he learns. So don't lag behind. Be inventive in getting
the new words from your child's new experiences.
* Keep the interest in reading both languages alive by
investing in beautiful and interesting books in the language not
spoken outside the home. Sit down regularly with your growing
child and continue reading these books with him or her.
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* Read about the techniques of teaching someone to read first. A
good foundation in reading is applicable.
* Always play for a short time. Signs of boredom are good signs of
fatigue; stop at these signs and start again another time. You
don't want to turn this into a chore.
* Try repeating before each new session with a little school game
what the lesson was last time. Put a teddy or a stuffed animal
alongside and ask who wants to answer. Look intently at the other
"pupils." She or he _will_ want to answer, guaranteed.
* Use things in your surroundings to turn reading into a game and to
teach the ABC, the numbers, and first words. For example, point at
number plates of cars, at numbers and letters in the supermarket,
or at street signs and everyday products you have in your
household.
* Write letters, postcards, birthday and Christmas cards to friends
and family. This is an excellent way for children growing up in a
bilingual environment to reinforce the writing skills thus far
learned in their secondary language.[5]
* Use the internet as a learning tool by sending emails to family
and friends so that the child has practice in the language. Use it
to find videos and stories in both languages.
* Even if you're not bilingual but you want your child to be, it is
possible to do this provided you're dedicated, intentional and
consistent, and you try your hardest to learn the basics that
you're teaching.[6] Use CDs, the internet, and other aids to help
you.
!! Warnings !!
* This method is not suitable if the character set is different in
the two languages learned, such as English and Japanese.
* This method is not suitable for trilingual families, where parents
speak different languages from the main language that your child
learns at school.
* The key is to keep it interesting. Once your child is at school,
making reading in your language interesting is next to impossible!
Once children learn that they're speaking a language not spoken
outside of the home, there is a risk of resistance setting in.[7]
Try telling your child that you like it when they speak to you in
your native language; children can be very responsive to a request
that matters to you.
!! Things You'll Need !!
* Letter block game – essential. Without it, teaching is just too
hard and not visual enough. It's also much less fun without it.
!! Related WikiHows !!
* How to Teach Someone to Read
* How to Make Letters of the English Alphabet
* How to Encourage Your Child to Love Learning
* How to Homeschool Your Children
* How to Handle Your Child's Temper Tantrum
!! Sources And Citations !!
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
*
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