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children
False. This is quite an old belief that arose from political power and superiority beliefs. The truth
is, there is almost no scientific evidence that learning more than one language harms the
development in a child’s primary language. No matter how small your child is, that little brain
has more than enough horsepower to cope! It is very common that bilingual children
occasionally switch between languages. This is not a case of confusion, but rather an attempt to
express their needs when one language has fallen short. Remember that children are mostly
concerned with making their needs clear, no matter if they speak one language or 20!
2. The development of my child in other areas and languages will have a positive effect on
learning English.
True. Much of the brain is still a mystery and unfortunately, it is not sectioned off into clear
subject areas like it is in school. For example, we do not only use problem-solving in math, but in
most aspects of our daily lives. Any kind of cognitive and academic development will benefit
your child, whether it is science or art. This is also good news for parents who do not speak
English well. Your first language is much richer and complex which helps to develop basic
concepts. These concepts will eventually be translated into English. So, simply reading to your
child and discussing the story (in Vietnamese or any other language) will have a positive effect
on English language learning.
True and false. The more we work on something the better and quicker we master it. What many
people forget is the difference between effective and ineffective practice. This rule can be applied
to virtually any skill. Gone are the days of monotonous drilling, we do not want them to consider
it a chore, but rather a hobby. Another important factor is to make sure that the practice is aimed
at improving weaknesses, rather than playing to one’s strengths. If you are not sure of what you
can do at home with your child to practice English, remember you can always speak to any I Can
Read staff member for advice on games and activities.