Principles & Practices

Principle

Continued use and development of the child's home language will benefit the child as he or she acquires English.

Language learning is an important aspect of children's cognitive development. One way preschool educators can help children acquire English as a second language is the to support the continued development of their home language.

Practices

• Preschool teachers who do not speak the child's language can team with family members and other staff who speak the language of the child to establish ways in which development in the home language can continue.
• Learn how to say "Hello" in each of the languages represented in your classroom. Build this multilingual greeting into Arrival or Circle Time. Teachers can also use the same strategy for any other highlighted vocabulary as the "word of the week or month". For example: How do you say car in your home language?
• Share first language, second language and bilingual language development information with parents/family members throughout the year to ensure that they are aware of what they can do to foster home language and, when appropriate, second language development.
• Share information with family members about the interaction techniques used in the preschool program, such as listening, following the child's lead, expanding the child's utterances, and showing interest and attention.
• Encourage family members to read to each other any literature that is valued in their home, including stories of their culture. (Parents to child, siblings to other siblings, child to parents, grandparents to children, etc.)
• Have English Learners and English-speaking children teach each other a few phrases in their home language.
• Point out to the children the many advantages of being able to speak two languages.
• Have classroom objects labeled in English and the children's home languages.