Invisible Child: A Spotlight on Life in the Shadows
Dasani wakes up before dawn each day at a homeless shelter in Brooklyn, New York. After slipping out from under the covers, she goes to the window. On a clear day, she can see all...
As a parent of a young child learning two languages, I’m first to advocate for bilingualism. I also am aware of the challenges this long-term goal may bring upon my family and the early educators caring for my child.
One of the main challenges of dual language learners (DLLs) is learning and retaining the language development of the home language, which in the United States, is the one or more languages other than English spoken by the parents.
Having children learn English without losing the home language(s) is what dual language learners’ parents want to achieve. We know that no matter what, children will acquire English from school and their peers. In the long-run they will master English. There is also evidence that being a dual-language learner improves learning. Anya Kamenetz wrote in an NPR article, “Compared with students in English-only classrooms or in one-way immersion, dual-language students have somewhat higher test scores and also seem to be happier in school. Attendance is better, behavioral problems fewer, and parent involvement higher.”1
Early childhood education is an important stage of language development which makes the role of the early educator crucial. While parents do not expect educators to speak the family’s home language, the knowledge and expertise educators bring to the table when working with dual language learners can balance the child’s already arduous task of differentiating between two distinct languages, and learning to speak, read, and write in both.
Because the loss of the first language for young children can negatively impact children’s progress in school. It can also be detrimental for cultural reasons that are personal, familial or religious.
The good news is that early childhood educators can help support children and their families by developing a strategy to incorporate a child’s home language while also helping them learn a new language.
“It is in all early educators’ best interest to be open-minded about dual language learners,” Vilma Williams, senior manager of Multilingual and Special Programs, Council for Professional Recognition said. “The topic of bilingual education, dual language learners, is new in early childhood education. Sometimes teachers who are not working in bilingual programs or who are bilingual themselves, overlook this subject or believe that this could apply only to bilingual teachers, when in fact, it applies to all teachers.”
Currently, early educator preparation for working with dual language learners is a topic undergoing research by the Partnership for Early Education Research (PEER):
PEER members have noted that their organizations struggle to find actionable information about how to address the needs of their DLL children. Practitioners find it difficult to wade through the growing body of research on the effectiveness of instructional strategies for serving DLLs to identify “best practices.” In addition, researchers and practitioners agree that new programs and strategies cannot be implemented effectively without considering the teacher, student, and family characteristics of specific settings.2
The Council supports the work of Candidates in all communities, in multiple languages, and those working in special programs and under special conditions, migrant, Alaska Natives and American Indian, Home Visitor, educators with disabilities, international programs, and military programs in the U.S. and overseas. The CDA is offered in all languages in order to encourage multilingual early education in all child care settings. In addition, the CDA prepares all candidates to work with dual language learners and apply best practices for the classroom and with families representing all cultures.
An example of the Council’s multilingual efforts is in the Lakota Nation, located in both North and South Dakota, where CDA candidates obtain their credentials in their native language and bilingual Lakota English specializations.
CDA candidates on the Lakota Nation reservation assemble their resource files in both English and the Lakota language. During their training, they often set up their classrooms by labeling all items in the Lakota language, making it visible on walls, chairs, tables, etc. to illustrate the dual language learning importance.
It’s important for young children and their families to feel engaged by early educator practices.
“Several of the researchers I talked with also pointed out that, in bilingual education, non-English-dominant students and their families tend to feel that their home language is heard and valued, compared with a classroom where the home language is left at the door in favor of English.”1
Young learners acquiring two languages can benefit from the educators’ understanding when it comes to the frustrations that may come with acquiring two or more languages. For instance, at times, some children might go through phases and speak less. But in my experience as a parent and former family child care assistant, this is normal and it’s ok to encourage the child through other language activities to make him or her feel more at ease without the pressure of speaking perfectly in English.
In my experience, I’ve found these tactics helpful:
Families and children will benefit from your efforts to incorporate dual language teaching strategies that help guide these young learners as they acquire two or more languages. By applying best practices and showing your professionalism with these young learners and their families, you are also showing your sensitivity to all cultures through a positive experience.
This rewarding experience will help children grow developmentally with their new language skills and you’ll be able to witness their confidence increase as they continue learning and eventually become bilingual.
Source:Dasani wakes up before dawn each day at a homeless shelter in Brooklyn, New York. After slipping out from under the covers, she goes to the window. On a clear day, she can see all...
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Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
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Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
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