Are you wondering whether your child can pick up the complexities of being bilingual? Thinking how difficult it will be for her to learn two or more different languages as a child? Think again!
Learning new languages isn’t just about having conversations or knowing different concepts, words and metaphors. According to researchers, language learning in early childhood may result in better concentration and cognitive skills unlike those who have proficiency in just a single language. Bilingual kids have improved memory abilities, thinking skills, and can ignore distractions efficiently.
A child’s brain works uniquely than an adult brain and showcases faster learning and retention of new languages. Learning different languages in early childhood actually results in increased cognitive effects than learning later in life. So if your young kid is showing remarkable improvements in learning a new language, be assured it may lead to effective brain development as she gradually grows up.
Learning New Languages Helps Improve Brain’s Adaptability
Viorica Marian and Anthony Shook, Ph.D. discussed in their study “The Cognitive Benefits of Being Bilingual,” how even infants can remarkably benefit when living in an environment where people communicate in different languages. When exposed to two or more languages, it helps young children to adjust better to environmental changes.
According to Viorica and Anthony, “the bilingual brain can have better attention and task-switching capacities than the monolingual brain.” That means learning different languages can help the brain to learn how to focus better, function optimally in new situations and the ability to switch attention from one task to another in an effective manner.
Language Learning Helps Keep the Brain Healthy
Learning a new language can be fun and exciting. But the effects are far more rewarding than what you’d expect. Language learning at an early age of childhood can help the brain retain its power even at a later stage of life. That means the brain adapts to different languages as being learnt, improves its cognitive skills and remains healthy even in old age. As a result, bilingual kids “experience less cognitive decline” when they grow old.
Learning Languages & Brain Development Can Aid in Boosting a Child’s Career
Sound surprising, right? But if you scour through an individual’s job resume, you will commonly find the head – Languages known. Why is this considered important by hiring companies? That is because a person who has proficiency in multiple languages is considered to have increased cognitive skills and focus than a monolingual candidate. This makes the former a better fit for the company. Moreover, knowledge in different languages also ensures improved communication skills of the person.
Thus, language learning at an early stage not only helps in effective brain development but can also drive their career goals.
How Parents Can Aid in Their Child’s Language Learning?
Make sure your child is exposed to hearing multiple languages since her infancy. This will help stimulate her senses for better understanding and retention. Include a second language in her learning regime. Most importantly, get her admitted in a good pre school in Gurgaon that promotes multiple language learning.