If me and my wife are speaking different languages to the babies will it mess them up.?

Question

I want to teach them spanish , and my wife wants to teach them portugeuse ... but I think it's best to teach them english... but when should we start teaching them other languges before it gets to hard and Im afraid im confusing them by 2 yr. old says alot of bilingual words but is learning the concept of english. please help any good books about this topic?

but first I'd like them to learn english**

Thank you. yes my parents also taught be 3 languages but I seriously didn't get how they seperated them so I understood the differences between the languages...

Answer 1

It's ok to teach the different languages from the beggining. They will start speaking well later, but then it will be in 2 or 3 languages. I speak french to my 17 month son, and my husband speaks english to him, and so, for example, when he sees a dog he says "doggy" and then "chien". Some words are easier for him in english, some others in french (he says "shoes" in english, and "velo" (french word for bike). After spending a few days playing with a little hispanic girl, he started sayin "agua" for water!

Answer 2

I do daycare and care for a child who's primary language at home is Spanish so I learned some Spanish to help him understand what was going on before he started to talk but he is two now and speaks and understands both languages very well and doesn't mix them when he speaks. So as my experience I think English is the most important (for starting school) but then introduce one language at a time then when they speak them well speak them often or they will forget and lose interest in other languages and even if they only want to speak English still speak the other languages to them so they don't forget

Answer 3

It is funny you should ask as i was at a conference the other day and they said you should speak the language you most want them to speak (so english for you guys) directly to the child and the other language" over the top". That is, another language (eg, spanish) to other people in the child's presence but not directly to the child. I am not sure how long you should do this for but when eventually speaking to the child in the other language you should use one language or the other. Do not mix english/spanish for example in the one conversation. This is what they said at the conference anyway and i had a child in my class (3 years) whose mum did this (over the top method) and she had an excellent grasp of english. (english was her over the top language). She couldn't speak it yet but understood everything i said and speaking is the next step. Sorry if thats all a bit confusing, i havent explained it all that well, a bit tired..

Answer 4

I have the same situation. My husband speaks spanish and i speak english. We decided to speak both languages to our children. I also know some of my friends spoke both english and spanish to them, and they are like 4 years old speaking both languages. Id be sure to teach your child english and 1 other language at first. When the child gets older start saying something like "eat" is also "..." in portugeuse. Good Luck!

Answer 5

speak to your baby's doctor. My husband and I both come from households where one or both parents spoke a different language but neither of us were taught. I am so sad that I can't pass a piece of this to my children. My sister in law does speak Spanish to her children but not a regular basis but her kids know more even though they may not speak it themselves. I have seen this alot in families where kids understand but chose not to speak it. Don't be worried if your child is slow in speaking at all. There is so much going on for them that they will have a good concept of what you are saying, no matter what language you chose to use. Good luck I wish I could have had an option.

Answer 6

I don't see a problem speaking 2 different languages to the babies. Me and my boyfreind have 4 kids ages6,4,3,and 10 months. He speaks both english and spanish to them and I speak english to them(don't know spanish) The kids don't speak any spanish but they do understand it just as well as english. Also the 6 year olds teacher said it was good to speak both languages to him cause the brain has to work harder.

Answer 7

From experience, I would recommend speaking to them in one language (one word exceptions here and there are fine) until they have a good grasp of one language. Like maybe once they are 5.

They will still be young enough to have all that great syntax power going on in their brain to pick up foreign languages quickly.

Here is what I am basing my opinion on: Myself and my own family members. It takes the bilingual (nevermind trilingual for you guys) children MUCH longer to speak. I imagine this affects the childs confidence and causes frustration not being able to express him/herself.

Wait just a little while longer, and then go ahead!

Answer 8

it should help, they say that a child that learns 2 languages scores 15% higher on the average IQ test. SO go for it, just let them know that you can speak the same language :)

sorry no books that I know of but I am sure you can find some help at a local book store. GOOD luck and it shows you are a good parent to be so concerned! Doc may help too, if its a good one

Answer 9

The earlier you start, the better. Babies have a tremendous capacity to learn language, they have no inbedded language, they learn everything from the people speaking around them. It won't hurt the baby at all to have an english, spanish and portugese speaking household. You might be suprised at how quickly children can speak more than one language.

Answer 10

What can say! I have so much to say!! I dont think it will mess up your kids at all!! I think it is wonderful that you want them to learn both languages!!! It's so funny I found your question!!! My fiancee is from Brasil! Teach them Spanish too!! They will have so much going for them the more languages they can communicate in!! I tried to find a book, but could not locate anything. Have you tried Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com?