As a parent, you want nothing but the best for your child. One way to give your child an advantage in today’s globalized world is to raise them bilingual. This is especially important for families of various cultural backgrounds that would like their child to embrace their cultural roots, which often includes knowing and using their native language. However, when it comes to bilingual children and their speech development, there are a few things that are important to know.
Learning two languages at once can be beneficial for a child’s cognitive development, but it may present some challenges when it comes to speech. It’s important to understand that bilingual children may not develop their language skills at the same pace as monolingual children. They may also mix languages or use words from one language in the other, which is known as code-switching. Although, this is not a cause for concern. In fact, code-switching is a natural part of bilingual language development and it can actually be a sign of a child’s proficiency in both languages.
However, if your child is struggling to communicate effectively in either language, it may be time to seek the help of a speech pathologist (SLP). An SLP can assess your child’s language skills and help them with any areas of difficulty. They can also provide strategies to support your child’s bilingual language development, such as encouraging them to use both languages in different contexts and providing them with appropriate language models.
It’s important to note that not all bilingual children need speech therapy. However, if you notice that your child is having trouble communicating, is not progressing as expected in their language development, or is showing signs of a speech disorder, it’s best to get the help of an SLP. They can help ensure that your child is on track to becoming a confident bilingual speaker.
When is it appropriate to seek a speech pathologist?
If a child is not speaking at all or is not using a wide range of words and sounds by the age of 2.
If a child has difficulty understanding and following directions.
If a child has difficulty making friends or communicating effectively with others.
If a child's speech is difficult to understand, even for family members who speak the same language.
If a child's speech is not improving despite support and intervention from parents and educators.
Bilingual children may face unique challenges in their speech development. Nevertheless, with the right support and intervention, these children can become confident and effective communicators in both of their languages.
Michelle Mikviman MS CCC-SLP
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