Teaching a child two languages from birth gives her a solid base in both languages. If one parent is a native speaker of another language, a bilingual home helps connect your child to the family heritage. Early, consistent exposure to both languages offers the most effective teaching method for young children.
Use Languages in Context
The immersion technique allows young children to learn both languages in context. Instead of specifically teaching words in an academic fashion, simply speak both languages around the children as you normally would with someone else who speaks the language. The children pick up language naturally from hearing it in regular use. One method to achieve this is the "one-parent-one-language" method, with one parent speaking one language and the other parent speaking the second language most of the time.
Balance the Use of Both Languages
When speaking two languages at home, many families subconsciously place more emphasis on one language, making it seem like the more important language. Focus on exposing children to both languages equally as much as possible. The "one-parent-one-language" approach helps balance the exposure, assuming the child spends similar amounts of time with both parents. If you notice one language becoming more predominant, make extra effort to incorporate more of the second language both in the home and in experiences outside the home.
Practice Outside Home
You have control over the languages used at home, but it is often more difficult to find bilingual situations outside the home. If you live in a community with grocery stores or social centers related to the other culture, take your children to those places. This allows them to practice their second language in a real-world situation outside of the family. Another option is to take vacations to countries that speak the language you're teaching. For example, if your child is bilingual in English and Spanish, take him to Mexico or Spain for a full-immersion experience.
Start Early
Exposure in natural settings to both languages from birth gives your child the best opportunity to become bilingual. According to the Linguistic Society of America, if a baby regularly hears both languages and feels both are necessary to communicate, he will learn both. Around age one is the key period for language development. Start your child with both languages from birth if possible, with even more emphasis on language acquisition around his first birthday.
Expect Some Mixing
Mixing the two languages is likely to occur in bilingual children, according to the Linguistic Society of America. Avoid disciplining or criticizing your child for mistakes or mixing of the languages. Keep a positive attitude toward both languages, giving your child more experiences with both.
