Three Common Misconceptions About Early Language Learning
Despite the growing trend of teaching children Spanish or Chinese at an early age, some parents still struggle with the idea of introducing a second language before their child has mastered his first. Are there any adverse consequences to teaching a second language to children too soon? Will it slow down their ability to learn English? All of the scientific evidence points to children having nothing to lose and absolutely everything to gain by learning a second language. Let's talk about three of the most common misconceptions about teaching second languages to children.

Multi-sensory Learning: A New "Old" Way to Learn Spanish
Field trips or museum trips may not seem like cutting-edge educational policy, but they work a lot like the educational tools and strategies of what is known as multi-sensory learning. Multi-sensory learning takes advantage of the way our senses—hearing, sight, and touch, primarily—reinforce one another while learning. Each sense builds toward a more complete experience of a concept or idea. Because multi-sensory learning gives you more than one way of experiencing something, its ideal for children who naturally engage multiple senses in both learning and play. It is also ideal for the creation of the type of immersive environment that is so crucial for learning a second language.

Does Bilingualism Help Children Learn to Read?
Learning and using another language have been linked to all kinds of benefits for children and adults. This is particularly true for young children's expanding cognitive abilities. According to Dr. Laura-Ann Petitto of Dartmouth College, children who have been exposed early to a second language possess an overall "cognitive edge." Numerous studies have also linked language education to higher scores on many standardized tests. But can knowing another language also help children learn to read? A study from Canada's York University suggests that bilingualism may in fact impact the development of literacy in a number of significant ways.

The Top Ten Benefits of Early Language Learning
Learning a new language at any age is an enormously rewarding experience in many ways. While language learning is an enriching experience for all ages, children have the most to gain from this wonderful adventure. Quite simply, starting early offers the widest possible set of benefits and opportunities. As children grow, all parents can attest to how much fun their children continue to have as they sing new words they hear and even invent new ones with a huge, bright smile. The joy with which children explore their first language makes childhood the ideal time for a second language—even if all the other reasons for an early start didn't exist! But there are many other reasons, and while this list does not exhaust the number and variety of advantages starting a language early can provide.