Benefits of Bilingual Babies

By Heather Crawford and Christina Munoz

Speaking two languages can benefit you in many ways but now new research shows it could actually help delay the onset of Alzheimer's.

That's just one of the many benefits of being bilingual as Christina Munoz and Heather Crawford have found out. They are both teaching their toddlers English and Spanish.

Sydney is just two years old and showing off her Spanish speaking skills.

And Palmer is not quite two and having a conversation in Spanish.

"It was something that was so important to both me and my husband," said Heather.

Having studied abroad and double majored in Spanish, Heather and her husband, who speaks conversational Spanish, wanted their child to learn a second language from a young age.

And so did Christina and her husband. Christina's mother was born and raised in Chile.

"I had learned Spanish as a child growing up and I wanted it to be the same experience for my child," said Christina.

Both Sydney and Palmer speak Spanish everyday, Sydney with her mom and Palmer with his El Salvadorian babysitter.

"It's the right time," said Dave McAlpine, a Professor of Spanish at UALR. "It's perfect to have the kids at age 2 because that is the time when their brains are like a sponge and they will take in anything that you give them."

McAlpine is the president elect of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages says new research shows babies can actually start learning a second language in utero.

And while you can learn at any age, he says language comprehension slows down between the age of ten and 12.

McAlpine says ideally its best to start before the age of six.

"If you think about our school systems in the United States they say take your 2 years of required language in 10th grade when you are 14 or 15 years old. Don't even take it your senior year before you go off to college. We have a system that is not built for making bilingual students," said McAlpine.

In the Little Rock School District only one elementary school, Gibbs Magnet School, teaches a second language every day starting in kindergarten.

McAlpine says speaking more than one language has proven benefits.

"Our research shows that they are not disadvantaged one bit. In fact those kids usually surpass on sat scores and stuff than the other kids," said McAlpine.

Christina and Heather both researched the effects of teaching a second language from birth and learned there could be pros and cons.

"At one point she seemed to know less words than other kids her age because she only knew 50% of words in English and 50% in Spanish. So if you compare the English words she could appear behind. We did see it happen but it's already passed," said Christina.

Another concern is appearing "different" to other children. But both moms believe the benefits strongly outweigh and negatives.

"We are becoming a global economy as far as jobs go, as far as the culture goes here in the United States. It's changing and we thought what better gift to give him than the ability to speak a second language," said Heather.

"Especially watching my husband try to learn, It's so difficult to learn a language as an adult and he knows a lot and he has learned a lot but it's amazing to see how quick she has picked it up," said Christina.

In the long run McAlpine says speaking more than one language can pay off in a big way.

"All you have to do is go to any of the stores in Arkansas and hear the language that's out there all the time. How much more they could sell? How much more could businesses bring in if they had people who could deal with these folks in their language," said McAlpine.

As for our Sydney and Palmer, learning another language has become second nature to them.

"I think it's great for her, great exposure. I think most of the positives will be seen later. To grow up speaking a second language. To not have to learn it later through school," said Christina.

"I think the more languages they can learn the better. My husband has suggested we teach him Mandarin Chinese. We haven't gotten to that point yet we're starting with just two right now. But I think the more that they can learn and the more people that they're able to communicate with, the better. Why not?" said Heather.

Click here for more information on what recent research on being bilingual shows.