My young girl is already 3Yrs 6 mths old. Is she too late to start? Any recommendation? Miss E.
Nothing is absolute. Yes, it is easier to pick up languages in the first 6 months after birth. But your 3 year 6 months old girl has much more language cell synapses than a 6 year old. Many parents do not know that poor academic results often stem from a failure to master the language tool.
You can help your daughter to build up a strong language foundation,
1. Arouse an interest in languages. Let her enjoy the process of learning. Give her encouragement when she faces difficulties. Give her recognition when she makes her efforts.
2. Create a language environment and enables her to meet native speakers on a regular basis. Send your child a nearby Le Beaumont Language Centre. A baby can join all the 5 language groups from Monday to Friday. A 3-year old girl can start with English and Putonghua playgroup. When she has settled in, add one more language playgroup. If she is really keen, add one more while she still has the time. By the time she goes to primary school, she probably has only time for 3 languages.
3. Playgroup is an extremely effective tool in developing the listening and spoken skills of a child, and in deciphering the sentence structures and language patterns which we normally call grammar.
4. Help your child build up a strong verbal language skill before reading and written skills, not vice versa.
5. If you want your child to be strong in English, let her pick up one more European language. This will increase her sensitivity and a better understanding of language structures and patterns. Sam
