Families For Life | Raising Bilingual Children: Options and Tips-Toddlers

Home support is a vital linchpin in MTL learning. It reinforces vocabulary and concepts taught in the classroom and helps children see the language as part of their everyday lives. Here are some practical tips to encourage bilingualism at home:

Sing along with children. Songs and rhymes are a fun way for children to practise MTL. Sing along with them at home. The catchy rhythms and melodies make it easier for children to remember words in a relaxed, joyful way.

Borrow bilingual books from the library. Many children's books come in both English and MTL versions. Use both to support dual language learning. Choose books that are appropriate for your child's language proficiency level.

Use manipulatives and labels. Reinforce MTL vocabulary about shapes, colours and numbers while your child plays with tangrams or jigsaw puzzles. Labelling common household items in MTL helps with repeated exposure to words in a meaningful context.

Introduce cultural elements. Involve your child in cultural activities, such as wearing traditional attire or trying out traditional musical instruments. These experiences nurture a strong sense of identity and deepen their awareness of culture and heritage.

Contributed by: Beanstalk (ECDA)

Speaking of Children II: Dr Mukhlis on Strategies for Raising a Bilingual Child

In this video, Dr. Mukhlis explains how to go about raising a bilingual child. His advice: encouragement and consistent exposure to both languages! Watch on to find out more.