Why so lucky?

Babies are wired to learn any language in the world and have the ability to learn more than one language at a time.

Learning how one language works builds the foundation for learning how other languages work.

An understanding of the richness of any language improves literacy skills.

Bilingualism improves brain growth and activity.

Language connects your baby to his culture.

How do we do this?

Speak to your child in the language that you know the best. This way you model your language at its richest.

Use the "one person, one place" rule. Have one person always speak one language tot he child and another person always speak another language to the child.

Or always speak your mother tongue when at home, and speak English when you're out in the community.

Speak Grandmother's language when you visit with her.

Avoid mixing two languages in one sentence. This confuses a child who is learning to speak.

A Message from the York Region Early literacy Specialists 2007