Mother Tongue

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They say innocence is a language only Mother Nature can teach, but any other language lies in the hands of baby’s first teachers – mummy and daddy. As your baby’s brain begins to be shaped from the time they emerge from womb to world, there is no better way to kickstart their development than by helping them make the transition from guttural cooing and gurgling to uttering their first word. The best way? Speaking to them in a different language.

We know what you’re thinking: is it really a good idea to start teaching my newborn Mandarin when she should probably be picking up our lingua franca of English first? Won’t I sound and feel silly speaking to her in a different language I myself am not used to? It is no secret that a child’s formative years for cognitive and intellectual development begins from the time he or she is born, with the sensorimotor stage – where they learn about the world through their senses and the manipulation of objects – lasting till about two years old. Exposing them to a second language right offthe bat not only increases the chances of your child absorbing and mastering the language, it also primes their brains for a host of benefits in the long run.

You Are What You Speak

One of the clearest perks of speaking to your baby in a new language is that their brain development reaps dividends from it. While chances are your baby will not understand what you’re talking about, building a habit of conversing to them in a different language may help them gain precious listening skills and activate parts of the brain responsible for learning.