Information for Parents in Many Languages

Talking with Your Child in Your Home Languages​

A resource for families with children in Kindergarten​

As a parent of a child learning a new language, you play a vital role in helping your child maintain your home languages. Research shows that speaking two or more languages benefits children’s well-being, language and literacy development, thinking and reasoning, and learning skills.

Children who speak multiple languages:​

• Develop a strong sense of identity
• Connect to their cultures and communities
• Gain confidence and develop positive self-esteem
• Develop strong family relationships
• Can transfer literacy skills from one language to another
• Can apply reading and writing strategies learned in their home languag when learning to read and write in an additional language.
• Can think in flexible ways
• Can share thoughts and ideas with family members using complex language
• Develop planning and problem-solving skills
• Take risks in their learning
• Focus effectively on relevant information

Use your home languages with your child

To support oral language development:​

• Talk with your child when playing together, and discuss activities that you do
• When doing daily tasks together, talk about what was done first, next and last
• Encourage your child to explain to a family member how to play a game or do an activity

To support literacy skills:​

• Read with your child every day and talk about the story, such as what the story reminds you of
• Help your child learn to read in your home languages
• Provide opportunities for your child to see you reading in your home languages

*Adapted from Supporting English Language Learners in Kindergarten, 2007

Help support the development of your child’s languages at school​

Speak with and share information with your child’s Kindergarten educators often. You can:​

• Share your child’s strengths and interests with them
• Share learning experiences with the Kindergarten team that your child has engaged with outside of school
• Ask how they are supporting your child’s English language development
• Ask how they are building on your child’s home and community languages
• Ask how play supports your child’s oral language development

References​ 

Resources

Talking with Your Child in Your Home Language is available in a variety of home languages (see above) for parents of children in Kindergarten through Grade 3. An accessible version of this information is also available.