All You Need to Know When Raising Multilingual Children

December 19, 2024

Couples from different cultures, backgrounds, and languages are more common than ever. The upbringing of bilingual and multilingual children is still a relatively new topic in some communities. However, there are places in the world where kids regularly encounter five or more languages. In these places, language acquisition happens naturally and untutored, becoming an ordinary part of growing up. Conversely, in other parts of the world, having two or more languages from birth is not as common. Many parents ask questions like: What is the best approach to teaching multiple languages? How can we avoid confusing our little ones while juggling other aspects of parenting?

As a mother of three who uses four languages daily, I’ve combined insights from research papers, pediatricians, and my personal experience to help guide you. If you haven’t read a consistent text about raising multilingual children, this is the right place to start.

What’s the proportion of bilinguals in 2025

Obtaining precise numbers on bilingual populations is challenging, but there is an estimate that slighlty above half of the world’s population is fluent in at least two languages.

It’s worth noting that many countries and regions have more than one official language. For example, countries like Canada, Belgium, and Switzerland, and regions in Russia, Spain, or China, often have multiple official languages. Being exposed to multiple languages is more common than many people think.

Positive and negative aspects of raising bilingual children

There are numerous cognitive benefits to being bilingual. Research shows that bilingual individuals may experience a delayed onset of Alzheimer’s disease and recover more effectively from strokes. Practical advantages include communicating with people from other countries, creating international relationships for personal or business purposes, and accessing information from multiple sources. The benefits are vast. But do they outweigh the potential challenges?

Some challenges include mixing languages, struggling to find the right word, or, for children, needing more time to develop the same vocabulary size in each language as their monolingual peers. This difference is often mistaken for a language development delay, which can become a concern for parents.

The myth of language development delay in bilingual children

If you are a parent of a bilingual child, you might have heard concerns about potential language delays. From personal experience and research, I can assure you that this is largely a myth.

Based on research, bilingual children tend to hit language development milestones at similar times as monolingual children. However, they may mix languages in their early years and initially have a smaller vocabulary in each language compared to monolinguals. This doesn’t mean they are delayed—it just means their vocabulary is distributed across multiple languages. By the time they are about four years old (sometimes earlier or later), they start distinguishing between languages and using them appropriately.

It’s important to remember that all children develop language skills uniquely. Just as monolingual children vary in their progress, bilingual children have their own pace too. The process can be influenced by factors like the similarity between languages, consistency of language exposure, and the number of languages being learned. Patience and consistency are key.

What is the number of languages I should teach my children?

In our family, we use two mother tongues (one from each parent), the language of the country where we live, and English. But is it too much for a small child to handle four languages?

Research shows that a child can manage two languages from birth quite comfortably. However, less research exists about three or more languages being taught simultaneously. Pediatricians often recommend exposing a child to a language for at least 30% of their waking time to ensure proper acquisition. Adding more languages reduces the exposure time for each, potentially limiting fluency.

That said, exceptions do exist. Some children, especially those with a natural aptitude for languages, might thrive with multiple languages. Videos of prodigies speaking five or six languages can be inspiring, but they don’t set the standard for an average family. If you aim for your child to learn four or more languages, introducing them sequentially might be a better approach.

Simultaneous and Sequential bilingualism

There are generally two ways to raise multilingual children: teaching all languages simultaneously or introducing them one at a time.

Simultaneous bilingualism

Simultaneous bilingualism occurs when a child is exposed to multiple languages before the age of three. Keep in mind that more languages mean less exposure to each. For instance, if you teach your child Portuguese for half an hour daily, they might not become fluent but will develop a strong foundation for future learning. Even short but consistent habits can pay off in the long run.

The importance of consistency

Consistency is crucial when teaching your child multiple languages. It helps them distinguish between languages earlier. For example, you might decide that each parent speaks one language to the child or that one language is used at home and another outside. Whatever system you choose, consistency is key. Without it, children may take longer to differentiate between languages.

Sequential bilingualism

Sequential bilingualism happens when a child learns additional languages after mastering the first one. It’s worth noting that introducing a new language suddenly can sometimes frustrate a child, so it’s best to do so gradually and thoughtfully. Keep in mind that even at three or four years old, a child’s first language might not yet be fully acquired.

The dominant language

Your child will likely develop a dominant language, often the one they are most exposed to. This is natural and depends on factors like the environment where each language is used. For instance, one language might be spoken only at home while another is used at school. Over time, your child’s proficiency in one language may surpass the others.

It’s also important to note that your child might prefer using the dominant language because it feels easier or more efficient. This doesn’t mean the other languages are being neglected; it’s a natural part of navigating multilingualism. Supporting your child and gently encouraging the use of all languages can help maintain balance.

Kids vs. adults: learning differences

Small children have an extraordinary ability to learn languages, far surpassing that of adults. They acquire language naturally through interaction, while adults often approach language learning analytically, focusing on grammar before speaking. Children live the language, while adults study it.

It’s worth remembering that children start with simple expressions and gradually expand their vocabulary as they grow. Adults, on the other hand, often aim for perfection from the start, which can make the process feel more challenging.

The usual concerns

Parents (or grandparents) often worry about potential speech delays, social challenges, or misunderstandings their child might face due to multilingual upbringing. These concerns are valid but often based on misconceptions. Trust your instincts, remain consistent with your language rules, and remember that the benefits of multilingualism far outweigh the challenges.

It’s also helpful to connect with other multilingual families or join online communities. Sharing experiences can provide reassurance and practical tips for navigating the journey.

What to take away from this

I hope this article provides the information you need to begin or continue your multilingual journey. Let’s recap the main points:

More than half of the world’s population speaks more than one language.
Bilingual children develop vocabulary at a similar pace to monolinguals but distribute it across languages. This is not a delay.
Three to four languages are manageable for many families, though research on this is limited.
Consistency is key to successful multilingual upbringing.
Trust your instincts and stay patient—your efforts will pay off.

Happy learning!