As a Manhattan-based speech and language therapist, half of my caseload typically contains children speaking two or three languages.
Parents who expose their children to multiple languages are often concerned that they have fostered a language delay. This is particularly pressing when their toddler doesn’t use as many words or the complex sentences of their peers.
As De Houwer (1999) summarizes, “There is no scientific evidence to date that hearing two or more languages leads to delays or disorders in language acquisition. Many, many children throughout the world grow up with two or more languages from infancy without showing any signs of language delays or disorder” (p. 1).
There have been very few instances when I discouraged a second language. Speaking two languages is an incredibly valuable skill – what a great gift to give your child!
Bilingual children generally develop language skills as other children do, although it may take longer than learning one.
Children who speak more than one language may mix grammar rules between the languages and use vocabulary from the different languages in the same sentence.
These experiences are standard and should gradually disappear as language skills develop.
Major language milestones should still be achieved, such as using first words by age one, and two-word phrases by age two.
If you would like to have your child evaluated for a language delay, please contact me; I would love to hear from you.
De Houwer, A. (1999). Two or more languages in early childhood: Some general points and practical recommendations. Washington, DC: Center for Applied Linguistics. Retrieved March 4, 2005, from www.cal.org/resources/digest/earlychild.html.
Let’s Talk, Children and Bilingualism. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2003.