Q+A: How Can I Help My Toddler Learn a Second Language?

Q. I'm thinking about enrolling my 2-year-old in a toddler music class that's taught in French, just for the exposure to another language. But is one hour of French each week going to be more confusing than beneficial to a toddler?

A. While it's not likely to be confusing to your daughter, this class is also not likely to make her fluent in French. To learn two languages simultaneously, children must hear them all the time and also have opportunities to use both languages. While a once-a-week class might be a fun introduction to French and your daughter may even pick up a few words, this type of experience is not likely to have a long-term impact on her language-learning skills.

If you are serious about your child's gaining exposure to a second language, consider finding a French-speaking caregiver -- for example, a babysitter from France, perhaps an exchange student or an au pair -- who can watch your daughter on a regular basis and use only French while at your home. You could also purchase CDs of children's music in French and DVDs of children's television shows in France so your daughter will have repeated exposure to the sounds and accents of French. Ultimately, though, it's by hearing and speaking a language that children learn it.

Rebecca Parlakian, also of Zero to Three, contributed to this column.

Copyright © 2008. Used with permission from the May 2008 issue of American Baby magazine.

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