Advantages of a Bilingual Brain

Why would we want young children to learn a second language while they are focused on learning their primary one? It seems like this would be learning overload at a time when they are also learning how to be friends, count, play on the playground and so much more.

Research says right the opposite. It is worth noting that children do not learn a second language as adults do at this very young age. Acquisition of a second language that is used around them comes very naturally. In fact, bilingually exposed infants excelled in detecting a switch in language as early as 6 months old. They can learn a second language as easy as they learned to walk and learn their primary language. As adults, we have to consider grammar rules and practice, but young children absorb sounds, structures, intonation patterns and the rules of a second language very easily. Up until the age of 8, young learners benefit from flexible ear and speech muscles that can detect differences between the sounds of a second language.

Concerns that bilingualism at early ages might result in confusion or attention issues with the child are ungrounded. Remember that the brains of young children are very versatile and benefits of bilingualism are beyond talking two languages and it brings enhanced cognitive capabilities.

Several studies and research on bilingual children shows that thanks to their better concentration and attention compared to their monolingual peers they could answer more questions correctly and in a shorter time period. In addition, they are more successful when multitasking because different parts of the brain fire while talking different languages. These advantages can also lead into up to two times faster processing of information, focus attention and learning after the ages of 17-18. Starting second language education at early ages is necessary to achieve these side benefits at early ages.

Another advantage of bilingualism at childhood is for the socio-emotional development. It is proven that bilingual children are more sensitive to different cultures, ideas and diversity. Being able to see the world from other perspectives and developing alternative point of views help prevent miscommunication and being able to tolerate different views. Hence children capable of building empathy and different views become more creative and are better at problem solving.

Finally, it is inevitable that bilingual children with better cognitive, academic skills, and socio-emotional development have a higher level of self-confidence compared to their peers. Because of all the merits related to bilingualism, BrightKids supports learning second language at early ages and builds its programs and activities to achieve these advantages at the highest level.

Resources

-Attentional Control in Early and Later Bilingual Children, Kapa LL, Colombo J
-Advantages of a Bilingual Brain, Tracy Trautner