¤ Foreign Languages for Kids? ¤

newbie · Active Poster Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 99

Anyone been in a toy store lately that has toys to teach kids foreign languages?I feel like we need to leave babies ALONE!

Monsieur-Kiwi · The Quiet Type Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 14

There are so many advantages to learning a second language, so I think the younger you are when you start to learn another language, the better! I've never seen toys that teach kids a foreign language so I don't know how well they would work or anything... But the best way is for a child to grow up in a bi-lingual household and have the opportunity to talk both languages. This way, the child will learn where it's appropriate to speak each language etc. But what's the harm? Why do you think "we should leave babies alone!"? More job opportunities, a better understanding of another culture, and it's a known fact that those who speak more than one language have a higher level of listening and actually comprehending. That's impressive isn't it? So why leave babies alone when it comes to learning another language?

montanadaver

Both of you have valid points.  My wife is Korean and both of my kids are bi-lingual.  We didn't 'force' anything on them, so to speak.  We just went day-to-day, speaking English and Korean.  I don't think any subject should be forced on a child for the sole reason of advancement later in life.

Children are sponges and will pick up on most everything that comes their way.  Expose your children to many subjects and they will naturally gravitate to those that they are interested in.

Lena · Active Poster Joined: 21 Apr 2007 Posts: 100

Children are learning all the time whether you're using 'educational' toys or not. So you might as well go the whole hog and ensure they're learning something useful.

teammate · Active Poster Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 128

Kids are very good learners and I have seen many kids speaking both the parental languages if both the parents speak different languages. Let us encourage them to speak the second language or alternate language.

suze · Active Poster Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 100

When I wasin my 20s I thought it was insane to teach a young kid two languages but now I've learned particularly if you want to speak two languaes in your home, its best to start early because then kids wsill pick up it up much easier!