Being bilingual can bring many benefits in life. For example, it can foster a sense of belonging in a child when he knows that other children can speak the same languages he does. It can also promote culture, and be so useful that it can even save someone's life.
Steps
Step 1. Learn to be patient with the baby
When teaching a child something, the very first thing to do is to put yourself on the same level as him. In short, your level of understanding should be that of a child of his age. The brain of children is quite different from that of adults, not only in terms of size, but also in mental processes. So when teaching a child, take it easy. Starting immediately in an attempt to teach him long sentences, asking him to recite them by heart, is a temptation … but it is nothing but "imitation": all the child is really doing is repeating what you said without knowing what it means.
Step 2. Start with the basics:
the alphabet, the names of colors, animals, objects, ways of calling other people (for example dad, mom, sister, brother, uncle, aunt…). A good method is to buy small toy animals or show pictures of animals to teach the child what they are called.
Step 3. At this point, it may get a little frustrating, because when you ask the child something, he or she may not remember it
The younger the child, the more likely he is to forget what you taught him the day before. So, this stage of the child's learning is all about repetition. However, there is no need to repeat things to him many times. Once your child is able to repeat the name of the item or pick it up after you ask, you can move on to the next step.
Step 4. Word games are a good way to help your child memorize vocabulary
A fun game consists of hiding the toy animals or choosing objects at random in the room you are in and asking them to bring them to you. However, you should change their places from time to time: children learn patterns quickly.
Step 5. After your child has built up his vocabulary, you can teach him a few phrases
At this point you can teach him to both read (you can do it even at the beginning) and to talk, or just to talk. Start with short sentences, then go one step at a time.
Step 6. At this point, the child will be able to have small conversations
It would be better to teach your child to always speak to you in the second language you are teaching him, instead of only doing it when needed. That way he won't forget it, even if he will only use it to talk to you.
Step 7. Help him learn new words and teach him short poems or puns, because he finds language learning fun
Step 8. Get him to socialize
One way children learn a language is by socializing with other people who know it. This way he can improve his ability to hold a conversation.
Advice
- Always be patient with the baby. Probably the most difficult moment is going through him who is learning, not you who are teaching.
- Be positive, enthusiastic, supportive, encouraging and creative - the latter is what children respond best to.
- To teach children, make use of everyday objects: cups, spoons …
- Teach the child the formal way of speaking. A child who talks informally to an adult does not make a good impression. That way, he also shows respect for the other person, and is cuter.
- To help the child learn, play with him.
Warnings
- Don't yell, scream or be too stern with the baby, and most importantly, don't hit him. Again, remember that your mental states are on opposite poles.
- Each child has a different learning style. Some may look alike, but most are different. Before you try to teach him anything, find out what his is.
- Time is a necessary thing! You must have plenty of it to teach your child.
- Don't teach him bad words; children learn them faster than normal vocabulary.
- If the child does not want to learn and prefers to play, do not force him. When he wants to learn, he will ask you himself.
- Don't discourage him. It is not a good thing to discourage someone when teaching. If the child is wrong, smile at him and tell him to try again.
- Don't start teaching informally! The child will no longer be able to take lessons seriously and, as a result, will not learn as well as he or she would if you taught formally.
- Don't put too much pressure on your child to learn the language. The reason is that some children have no predisposition or are not yet ready to learn it. If he wishes to learn it, he will do it later.
- If your child experiences too much learning difficulties, try another time (or another season!).
