What It’s Really Like Raising Bilingual Kids in Mexico?

Growing up in the Caribbean, I had to tackle French and Spanish as a second language, and English as my native language, in school.

Picture this: a kid from the tiny island of Montserrat learning languages I thought I would never ever use, and then living in Mexico, my Español could use some serious resuscitation.

Maybe I should have paid more attention in class. Who knew those language classes were like a crystal ball predicting my global adventures?

Jokes aside, watching my kids move through two languages has completely changed how I understand learning, identity, and confidence.

Before getting into their experience, it helps to take a step back and understand what bilingualism actually is.

Bilingualism?

We hear the word bilingual being thrown around pretty regularly, but do we know what bilingualism truly means? Bilingual development is the ability to use two languages effectively.

It is not merely about learning a second language, but rather about language acquisition in dual language systems. It’s about understanding and expressing oneself in both languages, not just translating words from one language to another.

It isn’t something that appears overnight. It’s a process that requires consistent exposure to both languages. It also doesn’t mean being equally proficient in both languages.

Many bilinguals are more comfortable in their native language than in English, for example, and that’s perfectly normal. The goal is not perfection, but communication.

The language learning journey comes with moments of doubt and frustration. But remember that your child’s brain is an incredible language-learning machine designed to absorb and adapt to new languages.

The Importance of Raising a Bilingual Child

As we venture into the 21st century, the world is becoming more interconnected. Speaking more than one language is no longer a luxury but a necessity. But why should you consider raising a bilingual child?

Bilingualism complements cognitive skills. Numerous studies have shown that bilingual children outperform monolinguals in tasks requiring executive function.

They exhibit better problem-solving skills, attention management, and the ability to switch between tasks.

Bilingualism opens up a world of cultural awareness. For your child, being able to communicate in another language means understanding and appreciating another culture’s cultural heritage.

It creates a sense of empathy and respect for diversity, a trait that is increasingly important in our globalized world.

Bilingualism can provide a competitive edge in the job market. More and more institutions and corporations are seeking individuals who can communicate effectively in multiple languages.

Your child’s bilingual abilities could be their ticket to a rewarding career.

From Monolingual to a Bilingual Home

Before relocating to Mexico (and feel free to disregard my failed French and Spanish endeavors as a youngster), we were, for the most part, a monolingual household.

However, by adopting a language strategy to introduce the second language, raising bilingual children in a monolingual household is not impossible. Here’s how.

• Consistency is key. Whatever language you decide, stick to it. One common approach is the “One Parent One Language” (OPOL) method, where each parent consistently speaks a different language to the child (one parent uses the target language, the other the home language). Another approach is the “Minority Language at Home” (MLaH) strategy, where the family speaks the minority language at home, and the community language is learned outside the home.

• Make language learning fun. Incorporate the second language into daily activities like cooking, playing, or reading stories. The more enjoyable the experience, the more your child will be motivated to learn.

• Use the available resources. There are numerous language learning apps, books, and online courses that can aid your child’s language development. Bilingual Kidspot, for example, is an excellent resource for parents raising bilingual or multilingual children. One app that I use daily is Duolingo. Side note, I have 1445 consecutive days of the Duolingo app getting my Spanish on. Yay to me.

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The 7 Steps to Raising a Bilingual Child

Here are the 7 steps to raising a bilingual child, a roadmap to guide you on this journey

1. Determine your goal: What level of proficiency do you aim for your child to achieve in the second language? Your goal will guide your approach.
2. Choose your strategy: Decide on a language strategy that suits your family situation.
3. Consistency is key: Regardless of the language, stick with it.
4. Make it fun: Create a positive and enjoyable learning environment for your child.
5. Immerse them in language: Give your child lots of chances to hear and speak the language through immersion. For example, I take our kids on outings in Spanish so they can listen, talk, and experience Mexican culture firsthand.
6. Equip yourself with resources: Use books, apps, TV shows, language classes, and other ways to help your child hear and use the language more often. Our kids are in a bilingual education program, and it helps a lot on its own.
7. Be patient and push on: Language learning is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep at it, and over time, you’ll see progress.

Growing Up in a Bilingual Home

Life in a bilingual home is an everyday thing. Here are a few to-do things that might help a bit to ensure your child’s language development is and stays on track.

• Balance is essential. Ensure that your child gets ample exposure to both languages, including dedicated time for the home language.

• Encourage active use of both languages. It’s not enough for your child to understand the languages; they should also be able to express themselves in both. Language mixing and code switching are natural parts of the journey.

• Always be supportive and positive. Praise your child’s efforts and progress, no matter how small. Remember, your encouragement plays a significant role in your child’s language-learning journey. I remember at a teacher/parent meeting, right before we ended the meeting, the teachers mentioned our son Ezra (4) at the time, who has a speech delay, busting some speech delay myths. He was speaking in full sentences in class in Spanish. It was a total surprise because he was only speaking English at home.

Strategies for Raising Bilingual Babies

When any learning is involved, the earlier is always best. Here are some strategies for raising bilingual babies.

• Use the language for communication from the start. Talk to your baby in the second language as you would in your first language. Babies learn languages through interaction and consistent language exposure.

• Sing songs and read stories in the second language. This not only exposes your baby to the language but also introduces them to the culture associated with it.

• Lastly, look into a bilingual preschool or engage your baby in bilingual playgroups if possible. This provides your baby with a social context to use the second language and learn from their peers.

The Benefits of a Bilingual Brain

The benefits of a bilingual brain extend beyond language skills. Bilingualism enhances cognitive skills, leading to better problem-solving skills, creativity, and future educational success. It also improves attention control and mental flexibility.

Moreover, bilingualism can delay the onset of dementia and other age-related cognitive decline. The constant mental juggling keeps the brain active and resilient.

Juggling two or more languages in a bicultural upbringing fosters cultural understanding and empathy toward others, greatly benefiting the bicultural child. It allows individuals to view the world from different linguistic and cultural perspectives, such as Mexican culture, promoting tolerance and respect for diversity.

Related Posts: Language Learning Abroad; Immersion In Mexico

Lean on Resources Like Kidspot

Bilingual Kidspot is a treasure trove of resources for parents raising bilingual children. From expert advice to language learning activities that help develop reading and writing skills, this platform offers a wealth of information to guide you on your bilingual parenting journey.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been on this bilingual journey for a while, Bilingual Kidspot has got you covered! With an array of expert advice and language learning activities, this platform is your one-stop destination for all things bilingual parenting.

Imagine the excitement of watching your little ones effortlessly switch between languages, confidently navigating two worlds. Bilingual Kidspot provides the tools and resources to make this dream a reality.

So get ready to embark on an exhilarating adventure of language and culture with your children. Bilingual Kidspot is here to support your long-term bilingual development every step of the way!

Raising Bilingual Children from Afar

Dads play a crucial role in raising a bilingual child. Consistent language interaction is key, even if children attend private schools or dual immersion programs, and who better to provide this than a parent who spends significant time with the child?

I would incorporate the second language into my daily routines and activities. From reading stories to cooking together, every moment is a language-learning opportunity.

Raising a bilingual child is a journey filled with challenges and rewards. It requires commitment, patience, and creativity. But the benefits, cognitive enhancement, cultural awareness, and future career opportunities, are well worth the effort.

Whether your household speaks two languages or just one, and whether you’re home with the kids or working a full-time job, you can still support your child’s language growth.

What matters most is steady practice, a positive tone, and showing up each day. That daily effort helps our children feel that much more confident in both languages, keeping the home language strong, and supports family connection, especially in a Mexican-Caribbean family.