US Education Benefits of Speaking

The founder of Ecole Jean-Jacques Rousseau in Austin, Texas, Dr. Hind Louali aims to create a culture of positive, engaged learning. Dr. Hind Louali helped develop a curriculum that includes music, performing arts, and French immersion for students in preschool through eight grade.

According to the US Department of Education, learning more than one language during early childhood has several benefits. Children who learn a second language at school or home before age 6 increase their cognitive function, improving their ability to solve word problems, understand concepts, use logic, and make decisions.

While parents may be concerned that a second language will confuse their children, the process actually sharpens thinking skills by helping children process more complex tasks and processes. Moreover, children who learn a second language tend to take more flexible approaches to learning in other areas. Because they can distinguish important information and focus on key elements, their performance improves across multiple subject areas.

Currently, more than 20 percent of the United States population speaks more than one language. Language learning in early childhood education also enriches a child’s social-emotional development by introducing multicultural concepts and a broader sense of community.