Raising your child multilingually

This article is provided by our partner CompaNanny.

How to support language development

When you move to the Netherlands, you and your child suddenly encounter multiple languages at the same time: the language you speak at home and, of course, Dutch. So, how can you help your child feel confident in both? The pedagogical experts at CompaNanny share four practical tips you can easily apply at home for raising your child multilingually.

1. Speak your native language at home

We express yourself best in our native language. That’s why it’s helpful to use that language at home, so your child picks up the right words and sentence structures from you. If your partner’s native language is Dutch, it helps if they consistently speak Dutch with your child as well. At childcare or while playing with friends, your child already hears plenty of Dutch. By speaking your native language at home, you also help to ensure that your child doesn’t lose their “first” language.
 

2. Be consistent

Agree with your partner and your child, on when and where you speak each language. This might mean that you always speak your native language at home and outside you speak Dutch. Or that one parent always speaks Dutch and the other always speaks the native language. By being consistent, your child understands what to expect and is less likely to feel confused.

3. Support language development 

There are different ways you can help your child develop the language you use at home:

• Talk a lot with your child: Talk about everyday situations and name the things you see and do. Chat about your child’s play, what you’re going to eat or how their day at childcare was. This helps your child to learn new words more easily.
• Read and sing: Read books and sing songs in your home language. This playful approach helps expand your child’s vocabulary.
• Make language visual: Use pictures, photos or objects to illustrate words. Visual cues make it easier for children to recognise and remember new vocabulary.
• Use non-verbal communication: Gestures, facial expressions and tone of voice help your child understand meaning and emotion. Therefore show what you mean, or use your expression to clarify the message. 
   

4. Give your child space to try

It’s completely normal for children to mix languages sometimes. It’s part of growing up multilingually. Try not to correct too strictly; instead, gently model the right word or sentence. If your child says, “I ving the ball”, you might respond with: “Yes, you caught the ball!”. This way, your child learns both languages in a positive and supportive way.

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Bilingual childcare at CompaNanny

If you’d like your child to grow up with both Dutch and English, bilingual childcare at CompaNanny is a great option. Our bilingual groups always have both a Dutch-speaking and an English-speaking Pedagogical Employee present. At least 50% of the day is in Dutch and at least 30% in English, allowing your child to develop both languages naturally. Choosing bilingual childcare is not mandatory when raising your child multilingually. Your child is also very welcome in our Dutch-speaking groups.

Looking for childcare in The Hague?

 In The Hague, there are several options for bilingual childcare where your little one can quickly feel at home. CompaNanny offers bilingual childcare at their locations in Benoordenhout and the Archipel neighbourhood.