Mini Module 10: The Importance of Home Language

Pam Iverson from PSESD Head Start shares this insight on home language…

Why is a home language important? Research has shown that there are significant intellectual, educational and economic benefits to maintaining one’s home language. These will be explored in future articles. This article will focus on the personal and social reasons for supporting a child’s developing bilingualism.

On a personal level, a child’s first language is critical to his or her identity. As the child develops this language, the child is also learning to value his or her culture and heritage. This contributes to a positive self-concept.

Parents as the primary educators of their children prepare children for the learning they must do outside of the home. They convey information, but also values and a world view. The socialization process varies for each child and family, but there are also cultural patterns noted by researchers studying child socialization. For instance, researchers have found variations in the primary means by which parents teach children what they need to know about the world. These include speech/verbal (dominant European-American culture), shared experiences (rural Appalachia), visual and experiential (American Indian), observation and independence in learning (Mexican-American), or explicit instruction (Chinese). These variations are conveyed through language. Thus they influence how the child is prepared to learn when he/she enters the classroom. It is important to be aware that a child may experience the world, and learning about the world, differently, due to their cultural and linguistic heritage.

Additionally, the home language serves as the link to family and other community members. Language reinforces a sense of belonging. This social tie enables the child to connect with extended family and other native language speakers, in this country and throughout the world. Older students report the desire to continue to improve their knowledge of their home language as a way to improve relationships with family and extended family.

As we work with young children from diverse backgrounds, we may not be able to teach all children in their first languages, nor reinforce the important cultural traditions for their families. However, we can set a goal with parents to together help the child maintain his/her home language. We can also find ways to demonstrate that we value each family’s traditions.

For more information, contact Pam Iverson at 206-439-6910 ext.3994

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