Raising Global Children: 5 Steps to Parenting Success

1. Raising Global Children: 5 Steps to Parenting Success Ivan Ivanyuk, father of a multicultural family

2. “Easy, just talk to them!” is my tongue-in-cheek response. The most common question people ask me is “How do I raise a global child the best way?”

3. It seems almost impossible to imagine the baby transforming into a communicating creature, let alone one conversant in several languages. Although, the miraculous progress from cooing to speech occurs in exactly the same fashion whether it transpires in one or in several languages, the practicalities are different. There is a wish, there is a way ….through the language!

4. Here are the first steps to raising your very own polyglot.

5. Even though agreement within the family is perhaps the most essential ingredient, I am sometimes asked, “What do I do if my partner doesn’t want me speaking to our child in a language he doesn’t understand?" An insecure spouse may fear being excluded from ‘the secret language’ between the other parent and the child. Discuss and compromise. It is very important that couples find some solution that is acceptable to both parents as well as beneficial to the child. 1. Family agreement:

6. Once the idea of two languages has settled in, many people consider adding more. Usually the number of languages spoken within the household is enough for the child to absorb, but it’s actually possible to successfully introduce as many as four languages simultaneously -- provided you can offer enough exposure and need for each one. Still, research suggests that a child needs to be exposed to a language 30% of his waking time to actively speak it, and since waking time is a finite quantity, so, too, is language acquisition. 2. Enthusiastic, yet realistic:

7. Next, you need to make sure you have a plan. Agree on who speaks what language to whom and then stick to it. There are endless variations on the two most successful language systems. The most common involves one person who always speaks to the child in the ‘foreign’ language. Anyone who is spending a significant amount of time with the child can function as this primary speaker. The second common language system is where the whole family speaks in the foreign language. To add another language beyond those already spoken within the family, or if your family doesn’t speak any foreign languages, you’ll need to provide an outside source like an immersion program, a nanny or an au pair. 3. The practical plan:

8. Building a support network is probably the most underestimated success factor, so find others who are raising their children to speak your language. You’ll benefit from their knowledge and be able to share both your doubts and your triumphs. It also ensures future play dates that will provide your child with the ultimate language teachers -- other kids. Books, music, movies, and toys in your minority language are the most obvious ways to boost your child’s exposure, but there is also an amazing range of other household items such as place mats, tableware, posters, etc. 4. Get together:

9. Raising multilingual children requires patience, and there are going to be times when doubt sneaks in. As with most aspects of parenting, it’s a long-term commitment and there will be ups and downs. But remember, that’s happening to the parents of the monolingual children too! Don't worry if your child doesn't speak his multiple languages as quickly or as adeptly as his peers. Instead focus upon his successes and marvel at the development of his little brain. Always praise, praise, and then praise some more! Know that when your child says, "I want a hug" in your language, you'll almost cry with pride. At that moment, it won't matter that it took some extra effort or that you had to wait a bit for the result. 5. Be patient:

10. Luckily, the elitism has been thrown out the window, and now parents raise bilingual and multicultural children themselves. • The children grow up just as world-savvy and sophisticated -- and actually know their own parents! So!