Will Teaching 2 Languages Confuse my Baby?

harinideep · Aug 5, 2015

my baby is 16 month old. she understands my mother tongue completely. but speaks only 3 words . now I talk to her in English for around half an hour daily..
will it confuse her ?
I don't know when to make her learn English .. what s your thought

Lavanya30 · Aug 6, 2015

Hi Harini,

Please continue to talk to her in multiple languages, children have wonderful capacity to grasp things. In fact experts say that kids who are exposed to multiple languages are very smart as they grow up.

nuss · Aug 6, 2015

No, it won't confuse her. Keep talking to her in both languages.

yellowmango · Aug 6, 2015

Most Indian children are bilingual .A child can learn 3-4 languages at the same time. It does mean a bit of confusion and some funny talking for some time ,but it settles down.

yukthasri · Aug 6, 2015

Keep talking to her often in both languages. Toddlers pick up fast.

Preet82 · Aug 6, 2015

There will be no confusion whatsoever. Continue in 2 languages.

Minkis · Aug 6, 2015

Hi, my daughter is 19 months and speaks words and sentences in our regional language. She communicates mostly in her regional language. She says lots of words in English too.

Recently we also started speaking to her in English when I read books to her (when she sits on the potty twice a day). I read the book in English, explain the story, say yes, good etc etc... and yesterday she said two sentences in english..."I like this" and "be careful".

So its fine to teach two languages, they will learn very quickly. I know a friend who is in intercast marriage, her child (2 yrs) knows two regional languages and also english. She also knows which language to communicate in with which parent, she will use the word "Milk" in both languages depending upon which parent she is talking too

Minkis,

Cool10 · Aug 6, 2015

Very useful replies .

My future child will also have to learn 3 languages - mine, DH's and English. Hence I was also a bit apprehensive on whether to start with only one. All of your replies assure me that multiple languages should be okay.

pinky21 · Aug 7, 2015

Hey don't worry.. Its actually the correct age to teach multiple languages for children below three years and they get the language very easily compared to those who learn multiple languages at the later years.

CrayoNess · Aug 7, 2015

You should be consistent and always speak in the same language. Children can learn several languages but so that everyone always speak their own language. If the adults are changing the language the child will be confused and mix the languages.