How to Teach Your Kid a Second Language Even if You Suck at It

The idea of teaching a child a second language can sound intimidating.

I have been a nanny for over twelve years.

But I took up the challenge because I know firsthand thebenefits of being bilingual.

After all, this family had hired me on account of it.

I had discovered that the key to teaching a second language isnt vocabulary, but consistency.

At first, it was just me counting in between diaper changes or toys forgotten upstairs.

I would count every step I took up and down the living room staircase.

Soon, I was counting other activities and it became a sort of habit.

For instance, Id say uno, dos, tres,quaaaatrooooo and hed shout cinco!

It was a game, and it worked!

In no time at all, he was counting to ten.

In my opinion, counting is one of the easiest ways to introduce a new language.

Make it fun and sillymaybe whisper the first numbers and shout out the last number on your count.

Youll be counting to 20 before you know it.

Counting to three in any language is less overwhelming than counting to ten.

Uno dos tres, until you count them all.

you’ve got the option to apply the rule of three to other things as well.

Mom, dad, baby (mama, papa, bebe).

Dog, cat, bird (perro, gato, pajaro).

you’re free to teach colors, places, and even the names of all your relatives.

Nursery Rhymes

Music is universal.

YouTube is a good outlet to find second-language nursery rhymes.

Look for rhymes that repeat a lot, such as Row Your Boat or Mary Had A Little Lamb.

There are some nursery rhymes that are exclusive to certain languages and they sometimes arent translated.

Check out those, too.

Change the language on your TV every other week.

This is both simple and effective.

Youre already saying good morning and good night to your child.

If you learn these two phrases in a second language and use them regularly, it will become effortless.

once you nail mastered these two greetings, add more to your palettegood afternoon, how are you?

You do not need a lengthy vocabulary to teach a language.

It is taking the words you know and using them consistently that will help kids the most.

Use this as an opportunity to learn or strengthen your second language.

Uno dos, tresgo for it!