To think that children who watch cbeebies are far too young to be 'learning' a different language?

[Jane04]

I just don't understand it, My nearly 2 YO DS isn't talking properly yet and the occasions when he does watch TV there are program's on there which teach him different languages.

I don't understand it

[pianodoodle]

Not sure about DD but I've learned plenty from The Lingo Show :D

I'm also an expert in big world magic ;)

[cory]

From what I remember of my own bilingual dc, they were not only able to handle their two languages from the start: they also understood about there being several languages from a very early age and could translate from one into the other or (when old enough to speak in sentences) could ask how you say something in the other language. Dd was not yet 2 when you could give her a word and ask her what that was in the other language.

Otoh I do not agree that it is irrevocably too late to learn another language after the age of 7: I have many colleagues who have mastered that feat and you couldn't tell them from native speakers.

And if you are not holding out for native speaker standards, but are happy to accept the ability to hold a conversation, read a novel and write an article in the other language, that was the kind of standard expected from us in 3 or 4 languages when I grew up, and we only started our first foreign language aged 10, our second in secondary school and our third in Sixth Form.

The nations who are best at foreign languages don't necessarily start teaching them very young: they just have very high expectations.

[sashh]

As someone else said it is normal for most of the world to speak at least two languages.

Early language learning, even just vocab is also beneficial as we lose the ability to make certain sounds as we get older and use one language.

Notice how difficult it is for a French person to say 'th'?

In Arabic there are two distinct sounds that to English (non Arabic) speakers sounds like clearing your throat, most cannot even distinguish them, those that do can't make the two sounds.

[Lweji]

These are the best ages to learn a language.
Or at the very least to learn the sounds of different languages. It trains the ear and it makes it easier to learn them later on too.

Babies can learn 3 or more languages at one time.

[Annunziata]

I would loved to have that when mine were little, they were brought up bilingual but it was harder without the internet and so many tv channels.

[PlainOldVanilla]

I think it's better their introduced at a young age.

[Wibblypiglikesbananas]

The younger the better when it comes to learning additional languages - there are studies that show that if a child hasn't been exposed to a certain sound by the age of six months, they may never be able to make that sound properly.

However, one of those programmes isn't going to make your child fluent! And neither is a primary school teacher with very basic language skills. I've been appalled by the standard offered in UK primaries since languages became a requirement.

Total immersion or prolonged contact with a native speaker is the best way - here in the US, people hire French or Spanish speaking nannies in a bid to ensure that their children grow up bilingual.

[TeWiSavesTheDay]

My DD really likes it - she's not a natural sponge wrt languages (or if she is she's keeping it quiet ) but her favourites are Lieb, Wei and Blodwen!

I really enjoy the fact that she's exposed to lots of languages - there are a few bilingual children at her pre school. Most speak English very confidently, and 2nd/3rd languages only with parents or sometimes each other (mostly the shy/younger kids/siblings) - but you can see the English speaking only kids following the conversations - they understand 'my toys name is x' in a different language, and respond appropriately in English even though they couldn't repeat the same phrase themselves.

I didn't really expect that, but I think it shows how much small children are capable of understanding, and I'm really pleased with how little a barrier language issues seem to be.

[maddening]

The more you titillate the language receptors before they are 5 the better. This is the period that these receptors develop - for example if a child is never taught language the brain starts destroying these receptors as they aren't needed so if no language learning has started by 4-5 then the ability to learn is diminished. To the same end - excercise these receptors now helps brain development as far as language is concerned - just hearing the sounds helps.

[ImNotBloody14]

why are they too young? they learn English (i'm guessing if you are watching Cbeebies) from birth, why not another language?

my dcs are bilingual- ds2 has been since first started talking as he was raised around both languages.

[Booboostoo]

The ability to hear and recognise specific sounds is set by 12 months, so the more babies hear the better. The ability to understand languages comes before speaking and can involve more than one languages. DD is just over 2yo and understands English, French and Greek. She does not speak much and her words are either made up ('meee' for cat), English, French or Greek.

[TheFallenNinja]

I'm trying to learn French so we usually have a French talk radio station on most afternoons. DD is only 8 months but I think it helpful to tune into the syntax and rhythm.

[greenhill]

Well done jane04, you were very gracious to change your mind so quickly

As well as the bilingual / trilingual aspect that lots of families experience and that others have mentioned; surely children sometimes listen to voices on the street and wonder what people are saying, if it is in another language. It can be nice to have the basics explained and have your curiosity satisfied.

My DC both learnt Makaton from Something Special, even though there wasn't a 'real need' for it. They really enjoyed communicating in ways other than merely in English.

Especially when young, it is always good to open your mind, rather than close it.

[EhricLovesTeamQhuay]

Oi! I was going to come and tell you ywbu but you already admitted it. No fair!

[FreshCucumber]

Well my 2 dcs have started to learn another language from birth.
And a friend of mine had her dcs starting to learn a 3rd and 4th language when they were 2~3yo.

Perfectly OK in my book. That's what children who are bilingual/trilingual do.

I wouldn't expect any child to learn a language like this but if they do learn to recognize the sounds in the language (that aren't present in english) then it will be all good for her/him. That's the time when they can learn. Anything after 3~4yo is too late, hence the fact you can have people who are fluent in another language but still have a strong accent.

[2beornot]

Slightly different stance tho.


How can I expose my dd to new languages when her DF and I only speak English? She can count in French but that's pretty much my limit (although I was quite good at German once upon a time).

[Whothefuckfarted]

What IRCL said.

[TheMagicKeyCanFuckOff]

My chikdren are fluent English and Swedish speakers, and have been from a young age- first language Swedish (mine) and second language English (cos I knew I was moving in a year or so- now we live here, but are moving back to Sweden) and near fluent in Urdu (their friends and relatives). Never too early to get them used to different sounds.

[Squitten]

My kids love The Bloody Irritating Lingo Show on CBeebies. They are particularly obsessed with the Urdu ones for some reason so my pre-schooler has picked up a few words and my toddler just likes the song.

Little kids are the in the most linguistically fluid time of their life and can easily become bilingual if it's in their home so YABU

[nannynewo]

My children will be brought up learning both Welsh and English. It is important that they learn both languages as early as possible because their brains are like sponges. The more they learn the better IMO.

[ouryve]

Some 2 year olds do speak two langauges.

DS1 has always been fascinated by other languages - and even DS2, who is non-verbal at 7, understands the counting in French on his Fix The Mix toy.

[lookout]

What drivin said - the exposure to a range of sounds and different language rhythms is priceless at this age. In fact there is even some evidence to suggest it makes for more intelligent children :-)

[morethanpotatoprints]

Ceebeebies isn't just for 2 year olds its for pre school.
In terms of language a 3 year old could start saying basic words, which is what you would find on these programmes.
My dd was really into Dora The Explorer and although not fluent, still loves Spanish and has chosen this as her preference for language.

[LadyBryan]

I'm English, my H is English. We live in England. I've been speaking French to my daughter since she was born.

Never too young!