Why Children Should Learn More Than One Language?
Casal dels Infants – In today’s increasingly competitive and interconnected world, speaking more than one language is a valuable skill. For this reason, many parents start teaching their children foreign languages at an early age.
Beyond serving as a communication tool, learning two or more languages also brings significant cognitive benefits. Bilingual children often demonstrate stronger critical thinking, problem-solving, and multitasking skills. The constant switching between languages helps train the brain to be more flexible and adaptive in different situations.
Professor Dr. Rini Sekartini, Sp.A(K), a pediatrician and professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, explains that children who grow up learning more than one language tend to be more sensitive in selecting the right words to express their thoughts.
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“Sometimes children become more precise, what may take three words to explain in Indonesian might only require one word in English,” she said during an online discussion on bilingualism.
Professor Rini also added that bilingual children are generally more creative, flexible, and better at analysis. They also have broader opportunities to socialize, build strong communication skills, and enhance their future career prospects.
There are two types of bilingualism in children: simultaneous bilingualism, when children learn two languages from birth, and sequential bilingualism, when the second language is introduced later, such as in school.
Rini recommends the “one person, one language” method, where each parent consistently uses a different language based on their fluency during everyday interactions with the child.
However, she also notes the challenges. Children may mix languages in one sentence. This often happens when they are still learning how and when to use each language appropriately.
“Sometimes the child gets confused, whether to respond in Indonesian or English—so they mix both,” Rini explained.
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