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In past years, teaching the Italian language to young Australian children was believed to be unproductive. These days, much research on language studies indicates that the very best time to learn two or more languages is starting at birth.
According to neurologist, a child’s brain is like a computer waiting to be programmed.
Whilst functions such as heartbeat and breathing are fixed in the womb, trillions of other
functions such as motor or language skills are just waiting to be programmed. During
these early childhood years, vocabulary, maths and logical skills are most determined.
These early experiences are those most firmly implanted and most likely to stay with us
for life.
Many articles have been written about this “window of opportunity”. Brain researchers
believe that about the age of 10, a child’s brain has become fairly structured and some
basic neuron connections can no longer be made. This is evidenced in children with
hearing problems. A child with hearing problems and unable to speak before the age of
10 will always have difficulty in speaking their native language well.
This does not mean that a child older than 10 or adults can’t learn a second language.
Other powerful tools such as motivation or necessity are great learning forces. However,
acquiring a flawless accent is highly unlikely and the learning process is just that much
more difficult.
So what can I do to expose my child in learning two or more languages? As a Director of
Language Champs http://www.languagechamps.com.au/Italian_Language_School_Class_Tutor.htm we hear this question from parents often. A programme such as Language Champs is an excellent start to learning a foreign language. However learning a foreign language requires more time and effort than can be offered in a weekly or twice a week class. Here are some suggestions we have offer to parents to supplement their children’s classes.

Daily Routine. Even if you know just a little of another language, make it part of a daily
routine to talk to your child in that language. Infants and toddlers learn by doing,
listening, imitating and practicing. Speak the second language whilst doing your
everyday activities such putting away groceries or cooking dinner. What a great way for
you to brush up on your foreign language skills!

Play Games. Activities children in our programme enjoy are hiding objects in bag and
have the child pull out the object. Or roll a ball and count the rolls, or trace your child’s
body on paper and name the body parts, or sing Head and Shoulder Knees and Toes.
These games are all conducted in the foreign language and we encourage children to
repeat, repeat, and repeat the words.

Books. Check out your local library. Whilst foreign sections are limited, some language
children’s books are available in libraries across Melbourne. For beginners, easy picture
books are amongst our favourites. Other resources include, bookstores such as Borders
that carry a selection of foreign language books and flashcards. Or bookstores that
exclusively sell foreign language books, music and videos are found across Melbourne.
If it’s more convenient, Internet sites that sell language books, tapes, videos are abundant
and many ship to and from Australia.

Music. Play foreign language tapes in your car whilst doing errands. Heaps of music
from traditional children’s songs to pop to folksongs are available. It’s amazing how
much children will absorb in just a short time and you will hear your child singing the
songs from beginning to end.

Television. SBS plays programs that teach Italian that are appropriate for children. For
Spanish, Nickelodeon carries Dora the Explorer that has received rave reviews. Toy
Libraries such Hampton offer Japanese videos for loan and popular Disney films can be
purchased in multiple languages.
Travel. What great way to immerse your child in the language, culture, and beauty of
another country!

Caregivers. Hire a Italian language babysitter, Au pair or host an exchange student.
Agencies listed in phone book can help here or post an advertisement at one of the local
universities or search online.
Websites. For older children, online learning is readily available. Many fun sites with
games, music and quizzes are found or chat with a student from another country

Children can derive so many benefits from knowing multiple languages. Studies have
shown children who learn multiple languages are become more flexible in their thinking.
Learning languages improves a child’s cognitive and spatial skills and builds self-esteem.
Knowing more than one language allows people to communicate with other cultures they
may not have been able to do other wise and it improves memory. At no other time will
your child learn a second language naturally and effortless. Whilst learning a second
language takes time it can and should be fun and an enormously enriching experience.

About the Author:
Written by Karen Hodgson. Karen Hodgson is a Director at Language Champs. Language Champs is a play-based foreign language program that teaches children ages 2+, Students and Adults Italian language and many other languages. For more information visit www.languagechamps.com.au.