Three strategies to Help You Raise a Bilingual Child

In South Florida, it’s common to hear multiple languages spoken, often starting at a young age. For families with diverse backgrounds, raising bilingual children can present both challenges and benefits.

Blending Cultures at Home

In the Wheeler household, for instance, two cultures and languages—Chilean and American—blend seamlessly. Cristina, from Chile, and her husband Anthony, an American born in South Carolina, have raised their children, now 13 and 17, to be bilingual, balancing both Spanish and English.

Cristina recalls the challenges they faced while teaching their kids two languages, particularly when others advised them to stick to just one language. “People were telling me to only teach them Spanish, but I couldn’t, as my husband doesn’t speak it,” Cristina explained. Yet, with time and consistency, their children became fluent in both languages, and Anthony began learning Spanish as well.

The Benefits of Bilingualism

According to Jacqueline Lopez, a bilingual speech pathologist from Miami, raising bilingual children is not only achievable but incredibly beneficial. “Bilingualism enhances problem-solving skills, and creativity, and fosters a deeper appreciation for different cultures,” Lopez notes. This cognitive flexibility is especially noticeable in children, whose young minds are more adaptable and capable of absorbing multiple languages at once.

Lopez suggests various methods for achieving bilingualism in families where only one parent speaks the target language. One popular approach is the “One Parent, One Language” (OPOL) method, where each parent consistently speaks their designated language. Another technique is the “Time and Place” method, where specific activities, such as bath time, are reserved for one language. Both strategies emphasize repetition and consistency, which are essential for language acquisition.

Community Support for Bilingual Families

For parents seeking additional resources, Spanish-speaking playgroups can offer valuable support. Geovanna Soberon, a mother of two, noticed a need for Spanish-language playgroups in her community and founded “El Groupito.” What began as a small group of parents meeting in the park has since evolved into a larger initiative, hosting weekly events and activities that immerse children in Spanish.

Soberon’s vision for El Groupito extends beyond just learning the language—she wants children to appreciate their cultural heritage. “I didn’t want my son to only be fluent in Spanish; I wanted him to appreciate our culture as well,” she said. Her husband, Gary, who is of Italian and Polish descent, is also learning Spanish alongside their children. Their son now seamlessly switches between English and Spanish when speaking to each parent.

El Groupito’s activities, including bilingual storytelling events and monthly nature walks in Spanish, help foster a sense of pride in bilingualism. Parents like Sarah Morrison, who attends these events with her daughter Lily, value the opportunity to expose their children to both languages in a supportive environment. In South Florida and beyond, more families are recognizing the importance of raising bilingual children, not just for practical communication but for celebrating cultural diversity.