Bilingual Parents, Bilingual Households: Using Foreign Language at Home

If one parent speaks Chinese (or any other foreign language), this is an amazing opportunity for your child!

The easiest way to start is for the native speaker of the foreign language to use only that language with the child. The other parent will use English (or whatever the local or first language might be).

Many parent hesitate because they are not confident about "teaching" their native language to their child. We encourage you to start at the beginning! Or at least as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the stranger it will be for your child.

Use the foreign language the same way you would English. Use proper words and phrases (see our Montessori for Infants and Toddlers blog) for language-use tips and ideas.

Good luck!