National Scientific Council on the Developing Child WORKING PAPER #5

Beginning at birth, all children have the capacity to learn any of the world’s languages. This ability is encoded in our genes and activated by exposure to everyday conversation in an interactive way. Unless a child has a specific disability, the achievement of fluency in any language, as well as the mastery of more than one language at the same time, does not require formal instruction or intervention in the early childhood years. It simply requires ongoing communication with others. Moreover, the younger the brain, the greater its capacity to master more than a single language.  The Timing and Quality of Early Experiences Combine to Shape Brain Architecture http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/resources/reports_and_working_papers/working_papers/wp5/