Spring season is here and with it, my speaking engagements begin, and I am reminded of how long it has been since I started my quest of helping parents understand the importance of raising multilingual children. First, with the column, I wrote for La Opinión newspaper in Los Angeles for 12 years, and then when I was asked to write a book on the subject five years ago by the respected publishing company, Simon and Schuster and their division, Atria.
In my parent talks over the years, the first question asked is: Maritere, why should I raise a bilingual child? It makes me think back when I was doing my research for my e-book Raising Bilingual Children and I was interviewing parents and experts. I found out that for most immigrant parents in America today, raising bilingual children is not a choice or a decision, but rather a way of life. Yet teaching children their parents’ native language often comes second to ensuring they are proficient in English so they can thrive in school and later reach leadership positions in the workplace. So, there is always a hint of doubt as to wanting our children to be fluent in more than one language. In addition, the task of teaching two (or more) languages tends to be overwhelming, leaving many of parents, wondering, “Is it all worth the trouble?”
The answer is YES! Whether your native language is Spanish, Tagalog, Korean, Chinese, or French, it is natural to want our children to communicate in our native language.
Today’s parents understand the benefits and advantages of bilingualism, yet, it is apparent that we all struggle or have struggled to find ways to preserve the native language while remaining committed to the second language. Thus, Raising Bilingual Children proved the ultimate e-guidebook for busy parents looking for advice and direction about the everyday challenges and joys of raising a bilingual child.
In a nutshell, here are my six major reasons why parents should raise a bilingual or multilingual child:
- It increases cognitive development, children’s attention span, know how to solve conflicts, how to make decisions.
- Triggers an increase in intellectual development- a bilingual child tends to have better school performance and higher grades.
- Preserves culture and eases communication with family members. This one is a must if committed to preserving the native language.
- It assures better career opportunities- a bilingual candidate has an edge in job opportunities and compensation.
- Personal growth – there is an increase in self-identity and self-esteem and a self-assured personality.
- It promotes culture. A culturally diverse child is better prepared to participate and compete in a global society.
Seems worth the trouble, don’t you agree?
Are you raising a bilingual child? What is the most important reason for taking this journey? Is one of my top 6 in your list? All of them? Honestly, in my case the two top ones were: I wanted my children to love my Hispanic culture through language and I wanted them to be raised to appreciate other people’s heritage and customs and that we can all be different yet the same. That there is beauty in everyone in any language, in any culture.
Share with me, please!
Bai, Bai,
Maritere
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