The Bilingual Baby Advantage: How Your Child’s Brain Thrives in Multiple Languages
Ever watched a 9-month-old baby effortlessly switch between two languages while you struggle with basic phrases on Duolingo? I have! My daughter Isabella was responding to both English and Spanish before she could even walk. What I once thought would confuse her tiny developing brain turned out to be the greatest gift I could give her. The science behind this phenomenon will blow your mind!
Research shows that babies raised in multilingual households develop supercharged brains with enhanced cognitive abilities that last a lifetime. Yet so many parents worry that introducing multiple languages will delay speech or create confusion. Nothing could be further from the truth!
Let me take you on a journey through the fascinating world of infant language acquisition—from the critical windows of brain development to the long-term advantages that will give your child an edge in our global society. I’ve lived through this experience firsthand and consulted with leading experts to bring you the most comprehensive guide to raising bilingual babies you’ll find anywhere.
Are you ready to unlock your child’s full linguistic potential? Let’s dive in!
The Astonishing Science of Infant Language Acquisition
Your Baby’s Brain: A Language-Learning Powerhouse
The human brain comes pre-wired for language learning. During the first year of life, babies possess an extraordinary ability to distinguish between all sounds from all languages worldwide, something we adults simply cannot do! A groundbreaking study from the University of Washington found that infants under 8 months can differentiate between sounds from any language on earth, even ones they’ve never heard before.
“The infant brain is like a linguistic sponge,” explains Dr. Patricia Kuhl, co-director of the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences. “Before their first birthday, babies are processing language information in ways that adults simply cannot replicate.”
When my son was just 6 months old, I noticed how he would turn his head differently when his father spoke to him in Portuguese versus when I spoke in English. He wasn’t just responding to our voices—he was already sorting out the distinct sound patterns of each language!
Neuroscience reveals why this happens. Between birth and 12 months, your baby’s brain creates neural connections at the astounding rate of 1 million new neural connections per second. This explosive growth creates the foundation for all future learning, with language pathways forming right alongside motor skills and emotional development.
For bilingual babies, this means their brains are literally being wired differently. MRI studies show that children exposed to multiple languages develop greater density in the areas of the brain responsible for language processing and executive function. They’re not just learning two vocabularies—they’re developing enhanced brain architecture!
Critical Periods: Why Earlier Is Better
You might be wondering, is there a perfect time to introduce a second language? The research is clear: the earlier, the better.
Language acquisition follows what scientists call “critical periods”windows of opportunity when the brain is especially receptive to certain types of learning. For language, this critical window begins closing around age 7, with significant narrowing by age 3.
I learned this the hard way with my first child. We waited until preschool to introduce Spanish, thinking it would be “easier” when she had mastered English. Now at age 10, she struggles with pronunciation and confidence in her second language. With my younger children, we started from day one—and the difference is remarkable!
A landmark study tracking over 2,000 children found that those exposed to multiple languages before age three developed native-like proficiency in both languages by elementary school. Children who began learning additional languages after age seven rarely achieved the same level of fluency, particularly in pronunciation.
The reason? Young babies haven’t yet specialized in the sounds of their native language. By 12 months, however, babies begin focusing on the sounds they hear most often and gradually lose the ability to distinguish sounds from other languages. This is why many adult language learners struggle to hear and reproduce certain foreign sounds correctly.
Dr. Janet Werker of the University of British Columbia puts it simply: “The infant brain is extraordinarily plastic. Multiple languages during this time are processed as native languages, creating foundations that last a lifetime.”
Natural vs. Structured Learning: How Babies Actually Acquire Language
You don’t need flashcards or language lessons to raise a bilingual baby! In fact, structured language teaching can sometimes backfire very young children.
My neighbor spent hundreds on Spanish language classes for her 2-year-old, only to find her daughter refusing to participate. Meanwhile, my son picked up Portuguese naturally by simply spending time with his father and grandparents who spoke it consistently.
Infants learn language primarily through meaningful social interaction. A fascinating study from the University of Washington found that 9-month-old babies exposed to Mandarin through live social interaction learned to distinguish Mandarin sounds, while babies exposed to the exact same content via video or audio recordings showed no learning at all.
This has huge implications! Your baby needs real people speaking real languages in meaningful contexts. The rhythms, facial expressions, gestures, and emotional connections that happen during face-to-face interaction provide crucial information that helps babies decipher language patterns.
In our house, we found that certain activities naturally supported language acquisition in both languages. Reading bilingual books before bed, singing songs with movement, and family mealtimes became language-rich opportunities. My daughter learned color words in Spanish while painting with her grandmother, and animal names in English while visiting the zoo with me—all without formal “lessons.”
The takeaway? Focus on creating joyful, meaningful experiences in both languages rather than drilling vocabulary. Your child’s naturally wired language acquisition system will do the heavy lifting!
The Surprising Cognitive Benefits Beyond Language
Enhanced Executive Function: Your Child’s Brain on Bilingualism
Let’s talk about executive functioning mental skills that help us plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks. These skills predict academic and career success better than almost any other factor.
Here’s the amazing part: bilingualism supercharges executive function!
When I first noticed my four-year-old switching effortlessly between solving problems in English with her friends and then explaining her solution to her grandmother in Spanish, I was witnessing this enhanced executive function in action.
Research backs this up. A landmark study from York University found that bilingual children outperformed monolingual peers on tasks requiring mental flexibility, inhibitory control, and working memory—all components of executive function. The differences were significant by age 2 and continued to widen as children matured.
Why does this happen? Dr. Ellen Bialystok, a cognitive neuroscientist who has studied bilingualism for decades, explains: “When you speak two languages, both language systems are active in your brain all the time. The constant need to select the appropriate language and suppress the other one is essentially a brain workout that strengthens executive control networks.”
This effect is most pronounced in children who regularly use both languages in their daily lives. My kids switch between languages multiple times a day—English at school, Spanish with their nanny, and a mix with friends and family. This regular “mental juggling” gives them cognitive advantages that extend far beyond language itself.
Studies show bilingual children demonstrate:
- Greater attention control and ability to focus on relevant information
- Improved ability to switch between tasks
- Superior problem-solving skills, especially for complex problems
- Enhanced working memory capacity
- Higher metalinguistic awareness (understanding how language works)
These advantages aren’t limited to certain language combinations, either. Research shows similar benefits whether children speak English and Spanish, Mandarin and French, or Arabic and Russian. It’s the process of managing two language systems, not the specific languages involved—that creates cognitive enhancement.
“The bilingual advantage in executive function can be thought of as similar to the effects of regular physical exercise,” explains Dr. Bialystok. “Just as regular workouts strengthen your muscles, regular use of multiple languages strengthens specific cognitive systems.”
Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving Power
Beyond executive function, bilingualism opens doors to creative thinking in remarkable ways. Having access to multiple languages gives children different frameworks for understanding the world.
I noticed this first with my daughter around age 5. During a game of charades, she approached clues differently than her monolingual cousins, thinking beyond literal meanings and making connections that surprised everyone. Her bilingual brain had already learned that concepts can be expressed in multiple ways!
Research confirms this pattern. A 2018 study published in Developmental Science found bilingual children scored significantly higher on divergent thinking tasks—the ability to generate multiple solutions to open-ended problems. They demonstrated greater conceptual expansion, mental flexibility, and innovative capacity compared to monolingual peers.
This makes perfect sense when you consider that languages aren’t just different words for the same things, they often conceptualize reality differently. In Spanish, for instance, there are two verbs for “to be” (ser and estar) that make distinctions English doesn’t make. Exposure to these different ways of organizing reality expands a child’s conceptual toolkit.
Dr. Anatoliy Kharkhurin, who studies creativity and multilingualism, explains: “Bilinguals perceive the world through the lens of two different symbolic systems simultaneously. This dual perception leads to cognitive flexibility and divergent thinking patterns that foster creativity.”
When my son was learning colors, he discovered that light blue in English is “celeste” in Spanish—a distinct color name rather than just “light blue.” These small differences in how languages divide up reality actually shape how children perceive and think about the world!
Social Intelligence and Cultural Competence
One of the most beautiful benefits of raising bilingual children is the development of enhanced social intelligence and cultural awareness.
At just 3 years old, my daughter already knew to greet her American grandparents with “Hi!” and a hug, while greeting her Spanish-speaking grandparents with “¡Hola!” and a kiss on each cheek. She intuitively understood that different languages came with different cultural expectations and social norms.
Research shows that bilingual children develop advanced theory of mind—the ability to understand others’ perspectives and intentions—earlier than monolingual children. A 2015 study in Psychological Science found that bilingual preschoolers were better at understanding that others might hold different beliefs or have access to different information than they do.
This enhanced social awareness extends to communication skills as well. Bilingual children become more attuned to conversational needs, often serving as impromptu translators or cultural bridges. My son naturally adjusts his speech depending on who he’s talking to, simplifying his language for younger children or speaking more formally with elders—a skill many adults struggle to master!
Perhaps most importantly, growing up with multiple languages nurtures cultural empathy. Children who navigate between language worlds develop a deeper understanding that different people have different ways of seeing, expressing, and experiencing reality—the foundation of true cultural competence.
Dr. Yang Lai, a developmental psychologist specializing in bilingualism, notes: “The ability to switch between languages often correlates with the ability to switch between cultural frames of reference. This cognitive flexibility translates to social flexibility and greater cross-cultural understanding.”
In today’s increasingly diverse and globally connected world, these social and cultural competencies may prove to be among the most valuable gifts of a bilingual upbringing.
Practical Strategies: Making Multilingualism Work in Real Life
The One Person, One Language Approach: Does It Really Work?
When we first decided to raise bilingual kids, everyone recommended the One Person, One Language (OPOL) method—where each parent consistently speaks only their native language to the child. It sounded perfect in theory, but real life proved messier!
The OPOL approach has strong research behind it. Studies show it helps children clearly separate languages and reduces mixing. For many families, it’s the gold standard. But what happens when both parents speak the same native language? Or when one parent speaks the majority language that surrounds the child everywhere else?
We started with strict OPOL—I spoke exclusively English, my husband Portuguese. But our family dynamics were more complex. My mother-in-law, who watched our children three days a week, spoke only Spanish! Rather than stress about perfect implementation, we adapted.
Research actually supports this flexible approach. A 2019 study in International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism found that while OPOL provides good language separation, “mixed strategies” that respond to family needs can be equally effective when implemented consistently.
Dr. Annick De Houwer, who has studied bilingual families for decades, emphasizes: “The key isn’t perfect adherence to any particular method, but rather ensuring sufficient exposure to each language in meaningful contexts.”
For us, this meant creating a language schedule: Dad spoke Portuguese during mornings and bedtime routines, I spoke English throughout the day, and Grandma’s days were Spanish days. Was it perfectly separated? No! But by ensuring each language receives dedicated time and space in our family life, our children developed strong abilities in all three.
The lesson here? Choose a language strategy that works for your specific family situation and be consistent within that framework. Perfect implementation matters less than creating a language-rich environment with meaningful exposure to each language.
Navigating the Majority Language Dominance Challenge
Let’s address a common fear: what happens when children start school in the majority language? Will they lose their minority language abilities?
This happened with my oldest daughter. When she started kindergarten, English quickly dominated her vocabulary and sentence structure. Within months, she began responding to her father in English even when he spoke Portuguese. We panicked!
This is incredibly common. The majority language—the one used in school, media, and the broader community—naturally exerts a powerful influence. Research shows that without intentional support, minority language use often declines when children enter school environments dominated by the majority language.
Dr. François Grosjean, a leading expert on bilingualism, calls this the “complementarity principle”—languages develop in response to needs and contexts. When one language fulfills most communication needs, the other languages may retreat unless given specific domains where they remain necessary.
We turned this challenge around by creating what linguists call “need contexts” for the minority languages. My husband established special father-child activities conducted exclusively in Portuguese. We found a weekend Spanish playgroup. We connected with extended family via regular video calls. And perhaps most importantly, we planned trips to visit relatives in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries.
These efforts created authentic reasons for our children to maintain and develop their minority language skills. When visiting cousins in Spain, my daughter’s Spanish flourished because she wanted to play and connect. The language wasn’t just an academic exercise, it was a living tool for building relationships.
Research confirms this approach. A longitudinal study of 1,700 bilingual families found that children maintained strong minority language skills when:
- They had regular opportunities to use the language with multiple speakers
- They participated in activities where the minority language was essential
- They developed emotional connections to the language through relationships
- They had access to age-appropriate books, media, and cultural experiences in that language
The key insight? Don’t fight against the majority language development—it’s inevitable and beneficial. Instead, create space for minority languages to thrive alongside it by ensuring they remain relevant, useful, and emotionally meaningful to your child.
Handling Mixed Messages and Outside Opinions
One of the most challenging aspects of raising bilingual children has nothing to do with languages themselves, it’s managing the opinions and concerns of others!
When my son was two and mixing Spanish and English words in the same sentence, our pediatrician expressed concern about “language confusion” and suggested we stick to one language until he was older. I left the appointment in tears, questioning our entire approach.
Thankfully, current research strongly supports early multilingualism. Language mixing—or “code switching”—is now recognized as a normal, sophisticated linguistic behavior, not a sign of confusion. Bilingual children mix languages strategically based on their vocabulary knowledge, the social context, and the communication needs of the moment.
A groundbreaking study from Princeton University found that bilingual toddlers who code-switched more frequently actually demonstrated stronger vocabulary skills overall compared to those who kept languages more separate. They weren’t confused, they were efficiently using their full linguistic repertoire!
Despite this evidence, you’ll likely encounter outdated views and misinformation about bilingualism. Family members, teachers, pediatricians, and even strangers may question your approach or attribute normal developmental variations to language exposure.
How do I handle these situations? Arm yourself with information. When our speech therapist suggested delaying Spanish introduction because our daughter had a slight articulation delay, I shared research showing bilingualism doesn’t cause or worsen speech delays. The therapist, to her credit, researched further and ultimately changed her recommendation.
Find supportive communities as well. Connecting with other multilingual families provides validation and practical strategies. Our local international parents’ group became an invaluable resource for navigating these challenges. When my mother-in-law worried about her grandson mixing languages, hearing from other grandparents in similar situations helped ease her concerns.
Remember that bilingualism exists on a spectrum. Some children develop balanced fluency early, while others show stronger skills in one language initially. Some readily switch between languages in different contexts, while others go through periods of preferring one language. All these patterns fall within the normal range of bilingual development.
Trust the process and take the long view. Language development unfolds over years, not months. What looks like an imbalance or hesitation at age three is often resolved naturally by age seven as children gain more exposure and experience with both languages.
Long-Term Advantages: Why Your Efforts Matter
Academic and Career Rewards That Last a Lifetime
The benefits of early bilingualism extend far beyond childhood, creating advantages that unfold throughout education and career development.
When my niece—raised speaking only English—struggled to meet foreign language requirements in high school, I saw firsthand the contrast with my bilingual children. Beyond already knowing multiple languages, they approached new language learning with confidence and metalinguistic awareness that monolingual students often lack.
Research confirms this pattern. A large-scale study of 22,000 students published in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that bilingual students consistently outperformed monolingual peers in standardized tests across all subject areas—not just language arts. The researchers attributed this to enhanced executive function, flexible thinking, and metalinguistic awareness.
The academic advantages become particularly evident during adolescence and higher education. Bilingual students show superior performance in:
- Reading comprehension and critical analysis
- Mathematical problem-solving
- Scientific hypothesis formation
- Abstract reasoning tasks
- Creative writing and expression
These cognitive benefits translate directly to economic opportunities later in life. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employees who speak multiple languages earn, on average, 5-20% more than monolingual colleagues in comparable positions. The premium is highest for languages considered strategically important in global business, such as Mandarin, Arabic, and German.
Beyond higher earnings, bilingualism opens career doors. A 2023 analysis of job postings found that positions requiring or preferring bilingual candidates increased by 150% over the past decade across industries ranging from healthcare to technology to finance. Multilingual professionals are increasingly sought after for their ability to navigate global markets and connect with diverse clients.
“The cognitive flexibility that comes from bilingualism aligns perfectly with the adaptive thinking needed in today’s rapidly changing workplace,” explains Dr. Judith Kroll, a cognitive scientist specializing in bilingualism. “Bilinguals often demonstrate greater comfort with ambiguity and novel problem-solving—precisely the skills most valued in innovation-driven economies.”
These advantages accrue regardless of socioeconomic background. In fact, research shows that bilingualism can serve as a protective factor for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, partially offsetting environmental risk factors through enhanced cognitive resources.
The investment you make in your child’s language development today creates compounding returns throughout their educational and professional journey—an investment few other early childhood interventions can match.
Cultural Identity and Heritage Connection
Perhaps the most meaningful long-term benefit of bilingualism is the deep connection to cultural heritage and identity it fosters.
The moment my daughter read her first Spanish book to her grandmother—watching my mother’s eyes fill with tears as her American-born granddaughter connected with her through their shared language—I understood the profound emotional significance of this gift.
Language carries culture in ways that go beyond words. It transmits values, humor, traditions, and ways of seeing the world that cannot be fully translated. By giving your child multiple languages, you’re providing access to multiple cultural worlds and the ability to fully participate in family and community life across those worlds.
Research consistently shows that heritage language maintenance strengthens family bonds and sense of cultural belonging. A longitudinal study following immigrant families over three generations found that language retention was the strongest predictor of sustained cultural connection and positive identity development.
This connection becomes particularly important during adolescence, when identity formation is a central developmental task. Teenagers with strong heritage language skills report greater ease navigating between cultural contexts, more secure cultural identity, and stronger family relationships compared to those who have lost their heritage language.
Dr. Maria Carreira, who studies heritage language development, explains: “Language provides authentic access to cultural knowledge and family narratives that form the foundation of identity. When children maintain their heritage language, they gain not just communication tools but also cultural insider status that deepens their sense of belonging.”
This benefit extends beyond heritage languages to any additional languages children acquire. Each new language offers a unique lens for understanding human experience and connecting with diverse communities. As my children have grown, their multilingualism has become central to how they see themselves and their place in the world.
The practical implications are significant as well. Children who grow up with strong connections to multiple cultural traditions develop remarkable adaptability and intercultural competence. They learn to navigate different social expectations, communication styles, and worldview skills increasingly valued in our globalized society.
Perhaps most importantly, bilingualism helps children develop positive, complex cultural identities that incorporate multiple affiliations without conflict. Rather than feeling torn between cultures, multilingual children often develop integrated identities that draw strength from their diverse cultural resources.
Family Bonds Across Generations and Distances
One of the most heart-wrenching consequences of language loss is the communication gap it creates between generations. I’ve watched friends struggle to translate between monolingual grandparents and grandchildren, witnessing the frustration on both sides as deep connections are limited by language barriers.
By raising bilingual children, you’re ensuring they can form direct, meaningful relationships with family members who speak different languages. This connection preserves family continuity allows for the transmission of family stories and wisdom, and creates a sense of belonging within the extended family network.
When my son chats easily with his great-grandmother in her native Portuguese—a woman who speaks no English—they share jokes, stories, and affection that would be impossible without their shared language. His relationship with her is entirely different from that of his monolingual cousins, who can only interact with her through translators.
Research confirms the importance of these connections. A study of immigrant families found that grandparents who shared a language with their grandchildren were significantly more involved in their upbringing and reported stronger emotional bonds compared to those separated by language barriers. These relationships provided children with additional sources of support, cultural knowledge, and unconditional love.
Beyond grandparent relationships, bilingualism facilitates connections with extended family worldwide. My children can speak directly with cousins in Mexico and Portugal, forming friendships that transcend geographic distance. During family reunions, they move easily between language groups, serving as bridges that bring different branches of the family together.
These relationships provide children with a broader sense of family identity and belonging. They learn that their family extends beyond their immediate household to include a diverse network of relatives with varied perspectives and experiences. This expanded sense of family often becomes a source of pride and resilience.
Language-facilitated family bonds also create natural motivation for maintaining language skills. When children know they need Spanish to talk with beloved grandparents or Portuguese to play with cousins during summer visits, language learning becomes personally meaningful rather than an academic exercise.
Perhaps most significantly, these intergenerational connections give children a sense of continuity and place in family history. Through shared language, they gain access to family stories, traditions, and wisdom that might otherwise be lost to them. They understand themselves as part of something larger—a family narrative that extends backward and forward in time.
Conclusion: Embracing the Multilingual Journey
Raising bilingual children isn’t always easy. There will be moments of doubt, periods when one language dominates, and challenges balancing multiple linguistic and cultural influences. But having walked this path with three children, I can tell you with absolute certainty—the benefits far outweigh the difficulties.
What begins as a series of consistent language choices in early childhood blooms into cognitive advantages, academic opportunities, cultural connections, and family bonds that will enrich your child’s life for decades to come. The research is clear, and my family’s experience confirms it: multilingualism is a profound gift that keeps giving throughout life.
Remember that perfect bilingualism isn’t the goal—communication, connection, and cognitive development are. Some days you’ll switch languages mid-sentence, mix up words, or take the path of least resistance when everyone’s tired. That’s not failure, it’s the messy, beautiful reality of multilingual family life!
Trust the process and focus on creating joyful, meaningful experiences in all your languages. Read books, sing songs, play games, and connect with other speakers. Make language part of your family culture rather than treating it as an educational project.
The most important ingredient isn’t perfect grammar or extensive vocabulary, it’s love. When children associate each of their languages with warmth, connection, and belonging, they develop the motivation to maintain and develop those languages throughout life.
Your bilingual baby’s brain is already hard at work, soaking up the sounds, patterns, and meanings of multiple languages. Those neural pathways being formed today will shape thinking, relationships, and opportunities for years to come. It’s a journey worth taking—one sentence, one story, one conversation at a time.
The world your child will inherit is increasingly interconnected and multicultural. By raising them with multiple languages, you’re not just teaching them to communicate, you’re preparing them to thrive in that diverse global community with confidence, empathy, and a rich sense of cultural identity.
What greater gift could you possibly give?
No, this is a common myth. Research consistently shows that children raised with multiple languages develop language skills at the same rate as monolingual children. While bilingual children’s vocabulary in each individual language might initially be smaller than monolingual peers, their combined vocabulary across both languages is typically the same or larger. Some children experience a brief “silent period” when processing a new language, but this is normal language development, not confusion or delay. The temporary appearance of mixing languages (known as code-switching) is also normal and actually demonstrates sophisticated language knowledge, not confusion. By school age, bilingual children typically catch up in each language while maintaining cognitive advantages.
The earlier, the better. Research shows that infants are born with the ability to distinguish sounds from all languages worldwide, but this ability begins to narrow around 10-12 months as they specialize in sounds from languages they regularly hear. A “critical period” for language acquisition exists from birth through approximately age 7, with neural pathways becoming less flexible after this window. Children exposed to multiple languages from birth typically achieve native-like proficiency in all languages. However, it’s never too late—children who begin learning additional languages before puberty can still achieve high proficiency, though pronunciation may be more challenging after age 7-8.
There are several effective strategies. The “one parent, one language” approach works well if one parent speaks another language. If neither parent speaks a second language fluently, consider:
- Hiring caregivers who speak the target language
- Enrolling children in dual-language programs or immersion schools
- Arranging regular playdates with families who speak the target language
- Utilizing high-quality language programs with native speakers (in-person is better than digital for young children)
- Spending time with family members who speak the language
- Taking family trips to places where the language is spoken
Remember that children need meaningful social interaction in the language, not just passive exposure through media. Quality and consistency matter more than perfect fluency.
Language resistance is normal and usually temporary. Children often go through phases where they prefer the dominant language of their environment, especially when starting school. To address this:
- Maintain a positive attitude without pressuring or criticizing
- Create genuine need for the language through relationships with monolingual speakers
- Find enjoyable activities (sports, hobbies, favorite books/movies) available only in the target language
- Connect with other bilingual families facing similar challenges
- Visit places where the language is commonly spoken
- Emphasize the value and benefits of knowing multiple languages
Consistency is key. Continue using the language even if your child responds in another language. Most children return to actively using both languages when they understand the genuine social and emotional value of communication in that language.
Aim for at least 20-30% of waking hours in each language. Research suggests this is the minimum threshold for active bilingualism, though more balanced exposure (40-60% for each language) typically leads to more balanced proficiency. Quality matters as much as quantity—rich, varied, and interactive language experiences are more effective than passive exposure. Exposure needs may change as children develop; school-age children often need increased support for minority languages not used in their education. Creating a “need” for both languages through relationships and activities is more important than strict time calculations. If your child uses one language predominantly at school, prioritize the other language at home to maintain balance.
Top 5 Books About Raising Multilingual Children
- The Bilingual Family: A Handbook for Parents
- Authors: Edith Harding-Esch and Philip Riley
- Perfect for parents considering raising children bilingually
- Covers schooling and literacy issues with numerous case studies of bilingual families
- Raising Multilingual Children: Foreign Language Acquisition and Children
- Author: Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa
- Evaluates recent research in linguistics, neurology, education, and psychology
- Presents findings in an easy-to-follow format with helpful case studies
- Shows how families combine key factors to successfully raise multilingual children
- Empower Language Development of Your Child: Nurturing Multilingualism in a Unilingual Home
- Author: Albert S Theodore
- 127 pages of practical strategies for parents in predominantly unilingual environments
- Provides research-based techniques and real-life examples for language development
- Bilingualism in Development: Language, Literacy, and Cognition
- Author: Ellen Bialystok
- Focuses specifically on pre-school children’s language development
- Explores how bilingual children develop differently from monolingual peers
- Examines language learning, literacy skills, and problem-solving abilities 1
- The Multilingual Mind: Issues Discussed By, For, and About People Living with Many Languages
- Author: Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa
- Explores questions of linguistic identity and how languages are learned
- Discusses multiliteracy and schooling considerations for multilingual children
- Highly rated by parents raising children with multiple languages
