Language domains of Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, & Interpreting and Creating Visuals (wordless) are intertwined. Learning a second helps you understand your first language. There are many reasons and ways to support multi-linguistic development organically, and I sincerely hope you chose to work to support your child in a multilingual endeavor.

Monolingualism can be cured :)

Raising a child to become bilingual means working hard to expose them to the non-dominate language. You may be afraid, encounter difficulties and misconceptions about exposing children to more than one language. Know that you are not alone, that challenges allow us to grow, and that learning or maintaining a language is a wonderful path to take!

The Mechanics of Multilingual Acquisition: A Synthesis of Research

Observations on Code-Switching, Cognitive Flexibility, and the Architecture of the Bilingual Mind.

The following archives synthesize foundational research from the Linguistic Society of America, PBS Parents, and the Harvard/Ivy League consensus on heritage language preservation.

Is it OK to speak to my child in my native language?

Talking to your child regularly lays the foundation for her language and literacy development. If you are most comfortable with your native language, you will be better able to communicate your feelings and ideas in that language. You can use words to label objects and describe what is happening as a way of teaching new words. You can recite rhymes and poems to develop her awareness of sounds. You can take turns talking about the day, things she notices, and books that you read together.

By talking together, you teach your child about the purpose of language, while helping her express her feelings and ideas. And by speaking to your child in your native language, you also teach her about her culture and her identity. 

Source: Excerpt from "Learning Two Languages" from PBS Parents

Don't bilingual children ever mix their languages up?

Like adult bilinguals, bilingual children often use words from one language when speaking the other. (This is called code-switching.) But this doesn't mean they are confused about which language they are speaking. For example, in an Italian-English bilingual home, a lot of our food vocabulary is Italian, and we use this even when we're speaking English (and when English words are available). So we'll talk about pollo instead of chicken and sugo instead of sauce. Yet in speaking to monolinguals, bilingual children are careful to use only the relevant language.

My child seems embarrassed when I speak to him in my native language. What can I do?

Help your child see that speaking another language is something to be proud of. You can share your pride in your language and your culture in a number of ways. Talk about family photos and events and special people in your lives. Tell your child about traditions and celebrate them together. Read fairy tales, myths, and other stories from your culture. Reading and talking about these stories will help your child learn new words and explore new concepts. At the same time, these stories will help your child learn about and take pride in your cultural values and traditions.

Don't children get confused when they hear two languages spoken around them?

The short answer is no. Children are incredibly sensitive to the different ways people speak. Even when they only hear one language, they learn very quickly about differences between the way men and women talk, the difference between polite and impolite ways of talking, and so on. For children, the bilingual situation is just a matter of another difference between people!

Fifty years ago educators throughout North America used to tell immigrant parents that it was better for their children's schooling if they spoke English at home. Some researchers thought that early exposure to two languages put children at a disadvantage. Newer research tells us that this is not so, and there may be advantages to being bilingual (in addition to knowing more than one language), such as more flexible thinking. The disadvantages that earlier research found were generally economic disadvantages, linked to the hardships of immigrants' lives.

Is it a problem if my child is not talking as much as other monolingual children?

Not necessarily, though you should work with your child's teacher or if your child is not yet of school age, ask at a school for a person to contact about an evaluation if you are concerned. Bilingual development sometimes results in slightly slower or delayed language development then for some typically developing monolingual children initially. This pace does not continue. With time, bilingual learners speed up in progress and typically surpass their peers in that they develop better language skills than the average monolingual speaker.

Will you work to support bilingual development? It will take work but I assure you it is worth it...

"Many Americans have long been of the opinion that bilingualism is ‘a good thing’ if it was acquired via travel (preferably to Paris) or via formal education (preferably at Harvard) but that it is a ‘bad thing’ if it was acquired from one’s immigrant parents or grandparents." —Fishman

"No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship."

—James P. Comer

Parenting Resources

Seek support for the challenge of raising a child. There are many excellent resources and programs. Intergenerational family support is your best option. Your doctor, child's teacher, and friends may offer support as well. A few additional ideas are noted here to further support you.

Tell me and I forget.  Teach me and I remember.  Involve me and I learn. 

Growth Mindset

Understand motivation and help teach your child a growth mindset. See your child's mistakes as an opportunity for your child's growth. Be intentionally with praise: focus on children's hard work, grit, effort, strategy, process, perseverance, and growth. Learn more about Dr. Carol Dweck's Growth Mindset at BrainPickings or in her TED Talk. Read about Lev Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development or check out The Neuroscience Behind Productive Struggle to further appreciate the importance of flexible thinking for whatever goals your child has.

Happiness

Science-based practices for a meaningful life, curated by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley can be found at the Greater Good Science Center (GGIA). Visit GGIA for activities to try or repeat. You can sign up for a happiness calendar with an activity to do every mailed to you monthly or added to your digital calendar.

"If you can give your son or daughter only one gift, let it be enthusiasm."

—Bruce Barton

All parents want good things for their child.

Best wishes doing the best that you can for your child!

Let me know if I can be of further help.

"Language is the road map of a culture.  It tells you where its people come from and where they are going."

—Rita Mae Brown

"The individual's whole experience is built upon the plan of his language."

—Henri Delacroix