What language should I choose to read stories to my 3yrs 4 mths old?

Question

have read that reading stories to children helps a lot in improving listening, increase in attention and their imagination etc.
The problem is that english is not our mother tongue but the medium of instructions at school is English.At the same time the word power of my son is still not that strong.He is still not able to express what he wants even in the mother tongue.Lack of clarity of speech may be the problem.So I want read stories to him.But then what language should I choose for the stories.Should they be in English or our mother tongue or mixed language?Pls help.

Answer 1

I would chose a combination - some stories in English and some in your mother tongue. Children who grow up in a multilingual environment will have a great advantage when they're older - being able to speak at least two languages gives them a head start over others not only for education purposes but also when looking for a job. Preschool age is a great age to start learning languages and you will be surprised how much your child will advance in the coming years if you carry on communicating in both languages.

Answer 2

I would read the story in your native language, but otherwise talk English. This way your child will get some familarity with your mother tongue.

I am from Germany and live with my wife and 4 1/2 - year old son in the US. They are both born here and at home (and everywhere else) we talk English.

Since he was very little, the bed time story is when my son hears some German. It has in no way hindered him to learn English as his first language and he is probably quite a bit ahead of his peer group. Obviously, his German is not fluent, but it is enough to talk to his family back in Germany and his Grandma appreciates that very much (and thanks by sending nice German story books).

I think this arrangement reflects our situation. My son is American and we live in the US, therefore we should speak English (no if's and but's). English language here is the medium for education and communication. This said, my son is also "part German" and more importantly, has people in Germany who love him and only speak German, so there should be a limited effort also in that language.

BTW. I think a limited exposure to a second language at early age actually helps kids learning English. As long as the separation is clear.

Peter

Answer 3

English

Answer 4

English

Answer 5

You should read in both languages. To have a child to grow up knowing multiple languages is a splender. Continue speaking to your child in your native language and then using English too. That will allow the child to understand both. Don't worry so much on trying to get him to know how to speak english so well. Just do the basics and allow the schools to do the rest. Teach the child the basics; A-B-C and 1-2-3's in both languages. That is what they get paid for. Once the child is in school then you can mix the two languages and your child will have an easier time understanding both.
In DOD schools here in Germany they teach German and English to the children as young as 1st and 2nd grade. They do that in alot of the DOD schools over seas. My children are very fluent in German now.

Answer 6

I think you should speak to your child, including reading, as much as possible in your mother tongue. He will pick up English at school soon enough. If you have been speaking English (I'm assuming your spoken English is not perfect, because your written English is not. Correct me if I'm wrong!) or a combination of English and another language, especially in a fairly random way, that can easily confuse a child. Keep in mind, though, that plenty of 3 year-olds are quite unable to express themselves. If you're afraid there's a real problem, discuss it with his doctor--AFTER having read a book about raising children bilingually (I recommend The Bilingual Family by Edith Harding and Philip Riley. Raising Multilingual Children by Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa is also not bad).

Answer 7

Well as being a child that was brought up with two different languages in one household. I would suggest that you start off with the language in which your son feels more comfortable. But at the same time make sure that you still use the other language as well. My mother spoke German around me when I was younger. Although I couldn't speak it on my own I understood it and my father spoke English. This enabled me to understand both languages and then later in life I started to study the German language more so I understood more of it. Now I am fluent in both English and German and starting to study Spanish.
Good luck in your case.

Answer 8

As a teacher I would encourage you to read to him in both languages. It will be so awesome for him to be able to speak and read in both languages. I am not sure if you are involved in a preschool program, but that would be a great idea to helping him increase his speech skills, listening skills, and attention. In the state of Texas we have a bilingual program that is offered to children at age four and the children can come to public school 1/2 day to get a head start. You might want to look into something like that in your area.
Be patient, children are all different and all learn at different times. They don't always follow the typical stages of development listed in books. He will get it in his own time. Good Luck!

Answer 9

What an opportunity you have to be able to select books in different languages and read to your child. If school is going to be mostly in English, I'd read most books in English also however, I'd make sure at least one story every night before bed is in his mother tongue or any other language you want him to know.

You can never know too many languages.

Answer 10

Read it in English, Other languages can be pick up later, If you try to teach both at the same time, it will confuse the child and they will not develop speech patterns properly. If you want the child to have the best changes in school and work. I would suggest English.