HARVARD STUDY: KIDS LEARN ENGLISH AND CHINESE THE SAME WAY
Did you know that kids learn Chinese using the same steps that they use to learn English? Exciting research shows language learning comes naturally to children. So your child can start learning Chinese just as easily as they started talking!
First Words Happen at the Same Age in Any Language
A researcher named Jesse Snedeker did a wonderful study on children adopted from China. She discovered they learned English using the exact same steps babies use when starting to talk.
Around their first birthday, these children said their very first word, just like infants learning English do. This exciting milestone happens at around one-year-old no matter what language the child is learning - whether it's Chinese, English, or any other tongue!
After a few more months, the adopted toddlers began combining words together into short phrases. At first, their vocabulary was mostly simple nouns like "ball", "cookie", or "mama". But soon, their sentences grew more complex as they acquired more words.
One remarkable example was a 2-year-old toddler happily exclaiming, "Xie Xie!" (Thank you!) upon being given a cookie. While an English-learning toddler might say, "Cookie, eat!", Chinese-learning children reach the same adorable milestones at the same young ages.
This illustrates how seamlessly young children's minds absorb any language during the critical developmental window for speech. Their brains are primed and ready to soak up Chinese, English, or any other new language they are immersed in. The steps and timeline are universal!
Kids Soak Up New Languages Fast
Here's the amazing part - the preschoolers learned new words four times faster than infants! In just three months, they learned as many words as a baby learns in 1-2 years. This shows young children have a gift for quickly gaining language skills.
Any Language Comes Naturally
While this was about kids learning English, it means all languages come naturally to children. Whether it's Chinese, English, or Spanish - their flexible brains soak it all up! The key is starting early when their minds are primed for language.
Why Chinese is So Valuable
More and more parents want to nurture bilingual abilities in their kids. With over 1 billion speakers, Chinese is a top choice. Learning it young can open doors, like making global friends, traveling the world, and boosting career options later.
Kids find learning Chinese fun, like a game! With great programs, any child can thrive. Immersion schools have skilled teachers and rich cultural experiences. Families also use videos, books, and apps - making it lively.
If your child shows interest in Chinese, go for it! Research confirms their young minds will readily absorb it. With your encouragement, they can gain a skill for life. Let's nurture our kids' natural talents and watch their world expand!
Give Your Child the Gift of Chinese!
If your child is ready to start an exciting journey learning Chinese, we encourage you to schedule a free trial class today. This is a risk-free way to explore our immersion program and experienced teachers. You'll see firsthand how our engaging approach helps young learners thrive with the Chinese language and culture.
Don't let worry or uncertainty hold your child back. Research confirms this is the optimal age for language learning! Try a class for yourself and witness the magic. Your child will amaze you with how quickly their young mind absorbs and retains new language skills.
Let us nurture your child's talents and set them up for future opportunities. Schedule a trial class today! Give your child the lifelong gift of Chinese.