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  • Learning in English and Hebrew

    5 Benefits of Dual Language Learning During Early Childhood

    Dual language learning in preschool is tremendously beneficial to children because it helps build executive function, empathy, cognitive flexibility, cultural connections, and fluency.

    That's why our Early Childhood Center offers a dual language track for your child to actively learn in both English and Hebrew.

    5 Benefits of Dual Language Learning During Early Childhood

1. Executive Function

Executive function is often stronger in bilingual children. When children are learning two languages, they have to really focus on which language to speak in the moment. Saying “Goodbye” to Mom and then “Boker Tov” (Hebrew for “good morning”) to your teacher demands close attention, and this fluid interaction improves the ability to switch from one task to another. Task-switching skills are an integral building block of executive function.

2. Empathy

Young dual language learners have to follow social cues to figure out which language to use and in what setting. This helps build empathy and social engagement skills. In basic social-emotional skills testing, bilingual children as young as three often score higher than their monolingual peers.

3. Cognitive Flexibility

Children’s brains are like sponges! They are constantly creating connections among different symbols, words, and concepts. Because we know that learning and speaking more than one language makes the brain more flexible, dual language classrooms help to further expand children’s mental skills. Specifically in areas like visual problem-solving, pattern recognition, abstract thinking, and logic.

4. Cultural Connections

Bilingual preschool learners effortlessly develop an understanding and deep familiarity with two cultures through dual language learning. This helps to strengthen their own identities, creates a sense of belonging, and inspires cultural curiosity.

5. Improved Fluency

Studies have shown that after the age of seven, children start to lose the natural ability to reproduce new sounds. This makes second language acquisition slower and more difficult. The ideal way for a child to learn additional languages is continuous, regular exposure, but this isn’t always possible. For this reason, introducing languages in the early childhood years of education is the best way to make the most of this innate ability.

GET TO KNOW US ON A TOUR!

We encourage prospective families to take a tour of our preschool, either before or after submitting your child’s application, to learn more about our play-based curriculum, dual language track, staff, and more.
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