It’s always fascinating to speak with an expert in the science and research field of child development, especially as it relates to strategies that can be helpful in raising bilingual, multilingual, and multicultural children.
Mexican-born, US raised and studied, Blanca Velazquez Martin is passionate about empowering parents to understand the science and the respectful strategies behind raising healthy socio-emotional children. A bilingual, bicultural mom, Blanca is the founder of the platform Whole Child Home, a space where she shares her expertise to help support child development at home.
Blanca is the mother of a son, who is being raised bilingual, and believes that the Montessori method and the positive strategies used for parenting can be applied when raising bilinguals. “The Montessori method is all about following the child’s lead. Positive parenting nurtures higher executive functions, skills. Both can be helpful when raising children with two or more languages.”
I invite you to watch our IGTV!
Blanca’s suggestions for supporting the socio-emotional development and mental health of our children:
- Seek brain development-related books relevant to parenting like: “The Whole Brain Child” and “El Cerebro del Niño,” by Alvaro Bilbao.
- Discipline as a teaching. Focus on the lesson instead of being upset/frustrated with a child’s action. Use words to stimulate the action we want to teach. Connect with empathy.
- Connect to teach rather than control. This leads to independence and a more respectful relationship around bilingualism for both child and family.
- Follow your child’s lead!
For more information and to follow Blanca on Instagram @whole.child.home or visit her website here.
Thank you, Blanca!!
