Should Your Montessori Child Be Bilingual?

Okay, moment of truth: do you remember any words from the foreign language classes you took in high school or college? Can you count to ten? Do you know how to introduce yourself? What about asking for directions? 

If the answer is no, you are not alone! Many of us don’t retain language skills after earning a passing grade or fulfilling a graduation requirement. Language attrition, the gradual loss of linguistic proficiency, is pretty common after a period of reduced exposure or lack of regular practice. Like any other skill, maintaining a second or third learned language takes work. 

So why are some people better than others at learning languages in adulthood? Chances are high they were exposed to more than one language early in life and are therefore better equipped to take on linguistic challenges! In other words, their brains were wired at an early age to acquire foreign languages with some ease. 

From birth to six-years-old (in Montessori-speak, the developmental period of the Absorbent Mind), children learn language by simply being around people who are using it. During this sensitive period, the Montessori curriculum incorporates spoken and written language in the environment to enrich their learning. Those who are exposed to multiple languages in early childhood reap an exponential number of benefits. Here are some:

Cognitive Gains

• Better Executive Functioning - Bilingual & multilingual kids exhibit better attention, focus, and cognitive flexibility, able to switch from one task to another. 
• Enhanced Memory - They often have better working memory, which is necessary to process information and problem-solve. 
• Increased Language Skills - They tend to have greater awareness of how language works, making it easier for them to learn even more languages.

Communication & Social Skills

• Better Communication Skills - Using multiple languages enhances listening skills and their ability to express themselves. 
• Social & Emotional Development - Because they can connect with different communities, multilingual kids often have a strong sense of identity and belonging. 
• Cultural Diversity - Exposure to multiple languages leads to greater empathy, tolerance, and appreciation for different cultures. 
• Family & Community Relationships - Being able to speak the same language as family members or others in the community deepens emotional connections. 

Practical Advantages

• Academic Performance - Learning different languages boosts cognitive skills, leading to better outcomes in other subjects. 
• Lifelong Love of Learning - Exploring the cultures associated with different languages can spark curiosity, foster a love of learning, and encourage an appreciation of other cultures. 
• Career Opportunities - Later in life, being multilingual can lead to a wider range of possible career paths and more job opportunities. Those who want to center their language skills can translate, interpret, or teach! Those who are multilingual are sure to find more job offers in all fields, including diplomacy, journalism, travel, social services, research, social work, and more. 

Could now be the time for you to revisit those long-forgotten language lessons? You can support your child’s bilingualism (or multilingualism) by following along with their lessons and giving them opportunities to practice what they learn at home. Sing songs, play games, label objects around the house, and add simple vocabulary words to everyday conversations. And who knows? Maybe you could use those newly-acquired language skills in your career! 

Listen to the Modern Montessori Podcast episode, “Discussing the Facts on Learning Two Languages in Early Childhood,” Part 1 of 2, our conversation with Toé Karasawa, a former Montessori-certified teacher, marketing specialist, and children’s book author! To learn more about Toé, visit her websiteor her Instagram.