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The Window of Opportunity
Language Acquisition in Children
You may remember watching your toddler picking up words at what seemed to be an astounding pace, naming body parts, animal sounds, and of course uttering her first mama and dada. If you have had the joy of experiencing this, or are even experiencing it right now, it probably comes as no surprise that children have an amazing ability to learn language. There are many theories as to why children are able to pick up language so quickly, but many researchers agree that there seems to be a critical period of time, or window of opportunity between the ages of 0-12 years when children’s brains are optimally suited for language learning.
Children’s Brains are Wired for Learning
After years of study, multiple linguists and researchers concur that children’s brains are wired for learning. Circuits and pathways are formed within the brain with each observation and experience. The ability of the brain to form and reform connections is commonly referred to as plasticity. Connections are formed and help make associations between words, objects, sounds and smells. With children, these connections are being formed at a much faster rate than adults. One important factor in helping to form these connections, especially when learning language, is repetition. Children are often delighted by repeating and mimicking sounds and words, which is fortunate since in most cases they pick up language by copying their parents. After a relatively short time, children are able to make automatic associations between words and objects, in both first and second languages.
Use It or Lose It!
For whatever reason, perhaps slower metabolism, changes in hormone levels, or reduced plasticity within the brain, our ability to learn language declines rapidly after the onset of adolescence. That’s not to say that we are unable to learn languages as we age, but after about the age of 12 it becomes more difficult. Adults are rarely able to learn languages as quickly or speak them as fluently as those who first learnt them in childhood.
The critical period for learning language appears to be consistent regardless of what language the child is learning to speak. From around six months of age, children are able to distinguish real words and nonsense words. When first learning language, children are listening to sounds and reproduce grammatical rules as modeled by their parents. Adults frequently have difficulty hearing, understanding, and pronouncing sounds in other languages that are not present in their own. Children are often much more receptive to the variations of sounds and in different languages. Some argue that due to years of experience and deeply rooted connections within the adult mind, mimicking never before heard sounds can be extremely difficult. Children’s minds are much more open to these variations. Linguists argue that there are a finite number of combinations which make up all languages. In their article “The Language Acquisition Device” Larry Bachus and Dr. Mojica Diaz have an interesting way to explain this phenomenon “If beings from outer space should attempt communication with earthlings, they would most likely deduce that there is only one language, with a number of local variants. Other research indicates that often times hearing impaired individuals make up their own languages, which sound remarkably close to already existing languages.
Early Exposure Key to Learning Multiple Languages
SLA or Secondary Language Acquisition, refers to the theory that between the ages of 0-12, children are able to learn languages secondary to their native tongue with ease. A 2004 study conducted by researchers Singleton and Newton, demonstrated that a boy was able to learn a second language from his parents who were non-native speakers, and not only learn the language, but to learn “normal and logical rules, and was able to construct an organized linguistic system, despite being exposed to inconsistent input.” The SLA theory maintains that as long as the areas of the brain for language acquisition are active, and they are given adequate materials, children have the capacity to learn multiple languages at once. Researchers Penfield and Roberts go even further and claim that “children under nine can learn up to three languages: early exposure to different languages activates a reflex in the brain allowing them to switch between languages without confusion or translation.” The thought of learning three languages at once may seem overwhelming to an adult, but is much simpler for a child.
Encouraging children to learn additional languages has many benefits. As our world community grows smaller and smaller, children who are fluent in more than one language may encounter far fewer communication barriers. Children also benefit from being exposed to different cultural views early on in life. Many psychologists also feel that learning additional languages early in life may assist in “sharper thinking” and greater critical thinking skills. Learning a second language may also improve a child’s understanding of their native language.
Don’t worry if you only speak one language. There are many ways to assist your child in taking advantage of this window of opportunity. Obviously if there are bilingual parents or care providers active in the child’s life, have those individuals speak to the child in their language if not exclusively, as much as possible. Additionally, there are a number of books, toys, and videos available which are also useful in teaching children secondary language skills. It’s also important to keep learning new languages fun, young children are much more likely to be engaged by activities they find entertaining as opposed to traditional instruction or lecture.
Success Stories
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“MUZZY gave our kids a great head start!”
“At age 2, they wowed the entire family by suddenly speaking Spanish after just 8 weeks with MUZZY,” says the mother of Ruby and Madeleine, who are now 3 ½. “We were also impressed and amazed with how quickly MUZZY had an impact on their English skills. Our children are already very far ahead of their peers in vocabulary and in understanding sentence structures. MUZZY gave our kids a great head start!” |
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“I don’t think she’s aware that she’s even learning another language. It’s just such a natural part of what she does.”
“I’d heard about other parents having success with early language instruction through MUZZY, but I didn’t really believe it. So one day I decided to see for myself…I didn’t explain anything, I just put it on,” says Jaiden’s mother, Melissa. “She absolutely loved MUZZY from the first moment. I don’t think she’s aware that she’s even learning another language, it’s just such a natural part of what she does. During some activity, like jumping, she’ll start naming the activity and counting her jumps in Spanish.” |
Learning Time
Printables Meet Muzzy
and the Gang! |
Family Activity Make a Mini "Gingerbread" House |
Learn Shapes! MUZZY Language Lesson |
Fun coloring and activity sheets for your child! |
Kids of all ages enjoy crafting this miniature gingerbread house as much as they enjoy eating it! This easy no-bake “gingerbread” house is as a fun way to practice the names of the shapes learnt in your MUZZY Language Lesson. |
Learn how to say circle, square and triangle in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, French, German and Italian! Simply listen and repeat. A fun way to reinforce shapes with your toddler or teach an older child his or her first words in a new language! |
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