Ages 3-5: Listening
We all know how important it is to speak the second language with our children but do we remember to listen as much as we talk? Our children need to have as many opportunities as possible to use their language and they need to know that we are interested in listening, even if their second language isn’t as advanced as we’d like it to be. If your child starts a conversation about something in which you are completely uninterested, try to not change the subject to something that would be more interesting and try not to respond with an off-hand agreement such as, “uh huh”. Think of ways to continue the conversation by asking questions and showing that you are listening by asking for clarification on parts of the conversation that you weren’t 100% clear.
Our children also need to have the opportunity to listen to us while we are speaking in many different situations using our varied vocabulary. We shouldn’t keep our conversations with our children simplified out of fear that they won’t understand us. Language learning takes place in particular when we do not understand every word. Your child will also learn vocabulary through the ways in which you engage with your language. They will learn which vocabulary matches which activities, the intonations that are used in specific situations as well as unique body movements that seem to fit with different conversations. Your child is also learning new words and about his or her second language even when you aren’t actually engaging with them. They will be listening when you are on the telephone, speaking to someone at the grocery store, speaking with your spouse, engaging with a sibling or playing with a pet. Your child is focusing on emulating you at this age so make sure you are being the example that you’d like your child to become.
Your child is also listening to what other children have to say. Your child will start to emulate their peers’ way of talking and acting. There isn’t a lot you can or should do to thwart this but you can talk with your child about what you are noticing. At this age, you are still your child’s most important influence, so make sure to take the time to discuss your observations with your child in a non-judgmental way. The kinds of conversations you have with your child now will be the foundation for conversations in the future. And the way you deal with language and culture will help define your child’s impressions and approaches to them as well.
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Email: info@biculturalfamily.org
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