Benefits of Children Learning a Second or Foreign Language

Posted by Martin Gray on May 20th, 2019

There has been a lot of research which has proven the benefits of multilingualism or bilingualism in children. This shows that it is never too early to start learning a new language. When children are young, they are able to learn quickly. For instance, if you buy a bilingual toy for your baby, there are chances that the toy will help her identify the language over time. There are numerous benefits of learning a second or foreign language. Let us go through some of them.
 
It aids in brain development.

Children who are multilingual or even bilingual experience enhanced brain development compared to children who are fluent in just one language. In a study of brain images of different children conducted by Andrea Mechelli of London’s Wellcome Department of Imaging Neuroscience, it was found that multilingual speakers had a denser gray matter.
 
It helps in cognitive development.

Research also shows that learning more than one language also aids in developing critical thinking, problem solving, and a host of other cognitive skills. In addition to that, it also improves memory, concentration, and multitasking abilities. Did you know that there is a relation between bilingualism and the ability to think non-verbally?

It ensures better academic performance.

Being bilingual or multilingual doesn’t just help with cognitive skills but also academic performance, especially in math, reading, and writing. Studies have shown that students who are fluent in more than one language are able to score higher on standardized tests than monolingual students.
 
It will help with higher studies.

There are many schools and colleges that require you to learn a foreign language as a part of their curriculum. You will notice that people who try to learn a foreign language in school or college lag behind those who start learning it at a younger age. Starting early familiarizes children with new language(s) and that gives them a big push when they pursue it later in school.
 
It helps them understand their native language better.

Learning a second language will not impede the development of your child’s native language skills. On the contrary, it will only enhance it. When learning a new language, they are also able to get an understanding of how language works, which can further help them become more aware of the characteristics of their own language, such as grammar, sentence structure, etc.

Keeping these benefits in mind, you should allow your child to learn a foreign language and also buy them foreign language books.

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Martin Gray

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Martin Gray
Joined: July 5th, 2017
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