Raising multilingual kids

An average parent in this century wants their children to speak multiple languages. African parents even more. Because we love to communicate and we want our kids to be able to stand before any audience without mincing words, being misunderstood or not having the language of expression. So, we train our kids to learn to speak multiple languages, including English, French, Mandarin, German, and Espanol. We also add other languages that we suspect are inevitable for communication later in the future.

Not only does learning multiple languages make it convenient to chat with multiple audiences, it has also been proven to improve cognitive concentration of children. It helps with better retention and expands their creativity and knowledge. 

Amazing stuff.

However, Africa is rich with many beautiful indigenous languages and dialects. Don’t forget that, as you think of the future of expression for your kids. I want my kids to be vast in Yoruba, and I want them to have an understanding of Kiswahili. So that they can speak to people within our local community and also converse with people from some African countries. As we think of the global markets, think of continuing the African language though unique deposits in our children. Language is an essential aspect of culture. Let’s be intentional about keeping that culture going in our kids. Without culture, we would be people with borrowed identity. And Africa is too rich for any one of her sons and daughters to be without an identity.

How do we teach our kids our local languages?

Like any other language;

We speak to them in the language everyday.

Buy and read books written in your languages to your kids.

Curate age appropriate shows in your local language for them to watch.

If you do not have a good command of the local language you want your kids to learn, get them a tutor who is vast in that language to teach them.

Let them spend some time with trusted members of your local communities from whom they can learn how to interact in your local language.

It’s simple, really. And kids are adventurous for knowledge. So, let them learn this as well.