Love and laughter are a wonderful part of the bilingual journey.
Along the way, I’ve discovered these secrets of bilingual kids!
Here are 6 things I love about bilingual kids
1. Bilingual children are curious about two languages.
When they see something new they always want to know more about it, what to call it, and why in both languages.
2. Their sense of humor is doubled – at least.
They tell jokes in two languages, and even in combinations of two languages. The sense of humor they have is a combination of the languages and cultures they’re learning, acquiring and their level of fun is definitely doubled, if not more.
3. Bilingual Kids are double sweet in their words!
Their words are sweet and their actions are even more so. When you read messages from your child in one of the two languages it melts your heart. See the picture below. The note is written in Chinese, our target language by my daughter.
4. They are young connoisseurs from different cultures.
They are open to new dishes that are foreign to them. When they travel they discover the most delicious food.
5. Bilingual children are cultural explorers.
They are the connection between two cultures at family gatherings and beyond. They are culture explorers making new discoveries all the time. They come to you and tell you that a familiar song can be sung in a different language, and then start singing it for you!
6. They are active learners!
Bilingual kids are active learners! They constantly surprise you with what they can learn. They make you laugh when they say silly things. They make you open your eyes to a whole different world they see. Raising a bilingual child opens up a world of possibilities in acquiring the target language – from the first word to the first sentence, from the first rhyme to the first story, and from the connection to the engagement activities in two languages and two cultures.
Happiness is in the air when giggles are popping out in two languages!
Bilingual kids are Language Ambassadors. Bilingual children are Culture Ambassadors. In this learning process, they connect with others with kindness, empathy, and respect. What is your discovery about bilingual children?
The emotional labor you put in from the first day you decide to give your child the gift for the future, whether it is your heritage language or a new language, you enter the adventure of raising a bilingual child. Welcome aboard!
I hope you find the resources listed below can assist you to navigate better on your journey to guide your child to acquire the Chinese language and cultures.
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Introduce Mandarin to your young child with Miss Panda Chinese streaming album
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Play and Learn first Chinese words with First Mandarin Sounds an awesome Chinese word book
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Play and Learn with the topic- and project-based Play Books (digital download)
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Keep Mandarin active every day with the PLAYFUL CHINESE podcast.
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Watch edutainment videos of Chinese Reading Playground, Chinese Bilingual Storytime, Chinese Playgroup, and more.
A secret message for me (Miss Panda) in Chinese with a bag of snacks from my daughter MeiMei. It read: Mom, I love you very much! Little Sister. (insert text: snack)
I love this post. I really with my kids were bilingual. Bilingual kids just have more culture, you know? They seem to just know more. They have a different perspective on things.
Hum?
Thanks so much for this great post!
Thank you, Lisa! It is an opportunity and a gift we give to our child(ren) with a new language. It opens doors for them to experience the world around them in a new way.