The Role of Direct Interaction in Teaching Language to Children
Casal dels Infants – Teaching more than one language from an early age offers numerous cognitive and social benefits for a child’s development. In addition to boosting creativity and cognitive flexibility, bilingual children also tend to have sharper analytical skills. However, it is important to note that teaching language should not rely solely on video content through electronic devices. Direct interaction, whether with parents or other speakers, plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s language abilities.
Dr. Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, Sp.A(K), Chairman of the Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI), emphasizes that relying solely on videos without adult guidance can hinder a child’s speech and interaction development.
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“The method of teaching is not appropriate when children are left to learn on their own, for example, through YouTube. This can slow down their speaking ability,” he said during an online discussion titled “The Pros and Cons of Teaching Bilingualism to Children.”
According to Dr. Piprim, children need active, two-way language stimulation in order to effectively expand their vocabulary. An environment rich in direct conversation provides greater opportunities for children to absorb language naturally.
Dr. Piprim also highlights the crucial role of parents in providing proper stimulation. When children interact more with gadgets than with people, they miss valuable opportunities to learn. Real-time responses and expressions are essential for their development.
“We’re seeing more and more parents depending on gadgets to teach their children, and as a result, many children experience speech delays due to a lack of interactive stimulation. This is something we need to avoid,” he asserted.
Prof. Dr. Dr. Rini Sekartini, Sp.A(K), a professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Indonesia, also stressed that although digital media can broaden a child’s language exposure, true language mastery requires comprehension, not just imitation.
“Gadgets can indeed broaden a child’s exposure. Some children may appear to speak multiple languages, but they don’t truly understand what they’re saying,” Rini explained. “Mimicking what they hear doesn’t necessarily mean they understand it,” she added.
To help children develop strong and lasting language skills, parents should actively involve them in daily conversations. Simple activities like talking during meals, while playing, or during outdoor routines can greatly enrich a child’s vocabulary. These interactions also enhance their social and emotional development.
“This is very important because children will eventually grow up and interact outside the home, in school, at playgrounds, and in the community. They need to be able to communicate effectively with others,” Rini concluded.
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