Introducing young children to our native language.

It’s never too early! 

by Krithiga S. Bothra

“Language is a living reminder of one’s heritage.”

This quote rings true for me, the daughter of Indian immigrants.  Knowledge of my mother tongue allows me to communicate with relatives and other people I encounter during my visits to India, bringing us closer and helping to bridge the cultural gap.  It’s also quite a thrill to understand a movie and explain the plot to someone who isn’t familiar with the language!

I want my children to experience the excitement of bilingualism.  Therefore, I was happy to see Baby Hindustani’s Language Series (www.babyhindustani.com, (415) 756-9909).  These fun-filled videos expose young children, ages one to five, to basic Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil and Telugu.  At last!  I had been searching for something like this.

The Baby Hindustani Language Series makes learning fun as it introduces children to playful objects, colors and numbers, set to the beautiful and stimulating music of Mozart.  The video also features a cast of Indian children, something we rarely see on TV. 

A major portion of your child’s brain will be developed by age five; thus, the early years are critical for language acquisition.  Linguist Vidya Rangachari believes, “You should start the day your child is born.  Babies can understand language from the beginning, even though some kids speak earlier than others.”  She goes on to say that, “learning a second language enhances the part of the brain that grasps abstract concepts.”

Young children are like sponges, able to absorb new information at a breathtaking rate.  Why not take advantage of this?  Ms. Rangachari suggests that, “We should speak to our children [or grandchildren] in our mother tongue all the time, from morning to night.  It’s also important for kids to see a visual connected to the words.  If they see it at their own level, it could have a greater impact.  The Baby Hindustani Language videos provide appealing visuals.  Since they are designed especially for kids, they can be an effective tool and also peak the child’s curiosity and interest.  In addition, one should read books, listen to songs and try to associate with other children who speak the same language.”

Bilingualism is a precious gift that we can give to our children and something we must ensure for our heritage to live on.