Language and Bilingualism
Learn how to support children’s language development and bilingual growth—through stories, songs, games, and everyday interactions—at home or in school.
Connection
Language connects us to identity, culture, and community.
Speaking
Strengthens memory, focus, and flexible thinking.
Understanding
Multilingual children grow up with more ways to understand, connect, and create.
What is Language Development?
Our Language Journey
Raising a bilingual child in a multilingual family is a joyful, complex journey. Our toddler began using three languages by the time he turned one—one at home, one with friends, and one spoken in the country where we lived.
At first, he mixed them freely:
“Elephant njam banana ute.”
(The elephant eats banana outside.)
By the time he was two, he naturally began using the right language with the right person—even without realizing it. For him, switching languages was normal. For us, it required more intention, especially when using a language that isn’t our own.
Over time, we’ve seen how bilingualism helps our child connect with people and cultures in a deeper, more meaningful way.
Whenever we move or travel, we consciously focus on the less-dominant language. For example, while we speak English at home in Norway, we switch to Norwegian when abroad. This intentional rhythm keeps both languages alive and growing.
How We Support Language at Home
Supporting language development takes both creativity and consistency. That’s why we use simple, meaningful tools each day:
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🎵 Songs in both languages
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📖 Stories from different cultures
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📚 Books that spark curiosity and conversation
These are more than vocabulary-builders—they create emotional connection and joy, even when one of the languages isn’t our native tongue. They support not just our child, but us as parents too—helping us stay engaged and confident as multilingual guides.
Native Language
The first language a child learns, usually from their family at home.
Second Language (L2)
A language learned after the native language. It may be learned at school, in the community, or through travel
Bilingual
Someone who speaks and understands two languages.
Multilingual
Someone who speaks and understands more than two languages.
Language Mixing
When children combine words from different languages in the same sentence. This is normal and part of learning two or more languages.
Code-Switching
Switching between languages depending on who you’re talking to or the situation. It’s a natural and skilled part of bilingual communication.
Phoneme
The smallest unit of sound in a language. For example, the word cat has three phonemes: /k/ /a/ /t/.
Phonological Awareness
A child’s ability to hear, recognize, and play with the sounds in words. This is a key skill for early reading and spelling.
Syntax
The rules that tell us how to put words together in the right order.
Semantics
The meaning of words and sentences.
Receptive Language
What a person understands when they hear or read language.
Expressive Language
How a person uses words, gestures, or signs to communicate with others.
Develop Language
Speak
- Repeat
- Tell stories
- Point to
Listen
- Show interest
- React
- Facial Expressions
Observe
- Look for needed words
- Wait, Breath, Listen
- Play
Language Tools
Want More Support?
Need help applying this to your child or school? I offer short-term guidance conversations.