How teach foreign languanges and reading to baby ?

Question

I hear about a method of teaching reading and foreign languages to baby. Mine is 9 mths now, and I would like to start to introduce her foreign languages and reading. Can u pls advise me how to teach her easily, and on what age she can practice it (If it is possible, is there any sites as refferences) ? Thx so much

Answer 1

Someone said that you can't teach reading to a baby. That has been shown many times to be totally untrue. Babies can be taught to read and demonstrate this ability as early as 9 months old. This is not only recognizing and pronouncing the words, but also full comprehension of what the words mean. For example, see this site, which shows a baby reading at 12 months:
http://www.brillbaby.com/teach-reading-intro.html

I myself can also personally attest to this as my third child (daughter) has also been reading since soon after her first birthday. The regrettable thing is that my two elder children did not benefit from early education because I didn't know babies could learn such things at such a tender age, and was skeptical myself initially.

With my youngest child (almost 2 years), I've been exposing her to flashcards and also I let her watch certain DVDs. Also check out Glenn Doman products (www.gentlerevolutionpress.com) and the videos here: www.yourbabycanread.com.

Regarding teaching foreign languages, it's also all about exposure, and the earlier you expose them the better, because in the early years, babies' brains are like sponges, like clay that's easily moldable into any shape or form. The more different sounds your baby is exposed to, the more complex the neural circuitry in her brain will develop, and it is very important to do this as early as possible because the later you leave it the more difficult it will be for the brain to adapt.

Personally, I play many different language CDs to my children. My husband and I speak French too, so on some days we speak purely in French to our children and pretend not to understand if unless they speak to us in French. :)

Answer 2

Yes, young children should learn a foreign language. This is the best time for them to grasp a language because at an older age, it will be harder for them. My family for instance, is from Russia and we moved here when I was very small. I only knew Russian and after I went to an American school, I learned how to speak more-or-less fluent English in several years. Your gradson will do just fine in both French and English, although it may seem kind of strange and think that. Another example: my neighbor's grandson speaks 3 different languages fluently and he is almost 5. Good luck, and don't worry. Oh, and also, if your grandson does learn French and will speak, write and talk fluently, his salary may be raised (for the future) if he passes some simple tests, depending where he works. There is always a need for a translator for immigrants and such, and even if he doesn't need to be one, he will get a raise by at least 5%

Answer 3

I saw on the news they were teaching babys about 9months old to read by pictures and then showing the words and saying them I am not sure really on how to go about it sorry but I do know that teaching them sign laguage helps them beable to comunicat sooner then they can even talk. I have tought my son sign language for thank you and please and milk and if you are wanting to do other languages you just have to talk to them in it all the time say the word for mother in what ever language you want them to know and then say it in english they are nothing but a spunge right now they are perfet age right now. Also studies have showen that children that learn those things now are better in school when they are older. I hope that helped some good luck!

Answer 4

You can't teach reading to a baby! The best way to teach a foreign language, though, is to speak it. A lot. All the time. Don't switch back and forth until the baby is older and can understand that an item can be called by more than one name.

Answer 5

suspensa, Alison, and my luv are all right on. My wife is Japanese and she is a stay at home mom for our two youngest, (two and one) and one on the way. They are bilingual. Music as been the way that I have learned the language and it is the rythmic sound that has nurtured me through the process. If you don't speak the language you want the children to learn, you need an influence that is around the children on an almost constant basis.

Answer 6

Reading is extremely beneficial to your baby right now. It helps her learn about reading and language. So read to her in all of the languages you want her to know. That is all you can do for now. She is not going to be able to see letters or understand things like reading for a while yet.

Answer 7

Hey there,
For a simple, step-by-step program that can help your child learn to read visit this site: http://readingprogram.toptips.org

Learning to read at a young age is important for the development of the child. It helps them develop a better understand of their surroundings, allows them to gather information from printed materials, and provides them with a wonderful source of entertainment when they read stories and rhymes. Children develop at different rates, and some children will develop reading skills quicker than other children; however, what's important is that as the parent, you are keenly aware of your child's maturity and reading level to provide them with appropriate books and activities to help them improve.

As parents, you are the most important teacher for your children.

Also Watch this video of a 2 year old child reading http://readingprogram.toptips.org
Cheers ;)

Answer 8

Music music music!

It's the fastest best way to introduce the new sounds to the baby and you can learn the songs and sing them to her as they become familiar to you.

Later you can both download language torrents for children and add more structured language lessons.

Just remember to keep it fun, and she'll eat it up :D

Answer 9

well it depends on the language u want to have him/her speak, but with my daughter, she is bilangual because of her father being mexican and well she watches dora and diego a lot and hears a lot of spanish. shes 3 and speaks both english and spanish. i read to her in spanish (dora and diego both) she watches the shows every day ect. also u can buy toys that speak in spanish. but like i said, it depends on what language u want to teach. i would start with spanish because its so easy to learn but u might want to teach german, french, italian ect ect. just pick one and look for books, shows, and toys that are bilangual with that language