The Importance of Developing the Mother Tongue in Younger Children

By Rosana (Sana) Sirinarang

For many families raising children in Bangkok, language is one of the first big questions they ask themselves about school, often before uniforms, lunchboxes or bus routes are even discussed.

Parents wonder whether their child will forget their home language once school begins. They worry about whether speaking two or three languages might confuse their child. Some quietly fear that using English too early could distance their children from grandparents, relatives and family traditions.

These concerns are natural. Language is deeply personal. It carries emotion, memory, humor and identity. For young children especially, the language they first learn plays a powerful role in shaping how they see themselves and how they connect with the people around them.

Why the mother tongue matters

A child’s first language is usually the one they hear at home, in bedtime stories, morning routines, family jokes and gentle reminders. It is the language associated with comfort and security. Through it, children learn how to express their feelings, ask for help, and make sense of the world.

When children continue to hear and use their mother tongue, they often feel more confident and emotionally secure. They are better able to communicate their needs, share their thoughts, and build strong relationships with the people who care for them. This sense of belonging becomes a steady foundation as they step into new environments and new languages.

A strong base for learning

Some parents worry that encouraging the mother tongue might slow down their child’s progress in English or Thai. In reality, maintaining a strong first language often supports learning rather than hinders it.

Children who understand how stories work, how sentences are formed and how ideas are shared in one language tend to transfer those skills naturally into other languages. A child who knows how to explain a thought clearly in their home language will usually find it easier to do the same in English later on. The building blocks of literacy, vocabulary, comprehension and confidence grow from what children already know.

Rather than competing, languages tend to support one another when children are given time and encouragement to develop them.

Thinking, memory and problem solving

Growing up with more than one language gently stretches a child’s thinking. Young multilingual children regularly switch between languages at home, at school and with friends. This daily practice strengthens memory, attention and the ability to focus.

Over time, many multilingual children become flexible thinkers. They learn to approach problems from different angles and often show strong listening and reasoning skills. These abilities support not only academic learning but also social interaction, empathy and communication.

Language and identity

Language is closely tied to identity. A child’s home language connects them to extended family, cultural traditions and shared family stories. It is often the language in which grandparents express love, tell stories from the past and pass on values.

When children maintain their mother tongue, they are more likely to feel secure in who they are and where they come from. Parents often describe the pride they feel when their child can speak confidently with relatives, understand family traditions and take part in cultural celebrations. These moments strengthen a child’s sense of belonging and connection.

When a home language slowly fades, the loss can be quietly felt, sometimes only years later, when communication with family members becomes limited. Supporting the mother tongue early helps preserve these important relationships.

Supporting language at home

Families do not need special training to support their child’s home language. Language grows through everyday life.

Simple routines make a difference, reading bedtime stories, talking about the day over dinner, singing familiar songs or sharing stories about family history. Hearing natural speech patterns, humor and emotion helps children build a rich vocabulary and a deeper understanding of language.

What matters most is consistency. Even short, meaningful conversations in the home language contribute to stronger long-term development.

The role of schools

Schools also play an important part in supporting children’s language development. When home languages are acknowledged and respected within the school environment, children feel seen and valued. This sense of acceptance strengthens confidence and supports well-being.

In diverse school communities where many languages are spoken each day, children often move between languages with ease. Being able to draw on their home language, whether to think through an idea, ask a question or share a story, can deepen understanding and make learning feel more accessible.

Some schools create structured opportunities for students to maintain and develop their first language alongside English, rather than replacing one with the other. At NIST international school, for example, students can choose from twelve world languages during the school day, with many more options available after school. This allows families to support mother tongue development in ways that fit naturally into their routines and long-term plans.

Looking ahead

As families continue to move across cultures and countries, language becomes one of the most important threads that connects children to their roots. Supporting a child’s mother tongue is not just about communication, it is about well-being, confidence and identity.

When young children are encouraged to value and use their first language, they grow up knowing that who they are and where they come from matters. From this place of security, they are better able to explore new languages, new friendships and new learning with confidence and curiosity.

The words children hear at home are often the first stories they carry with them into the world. When those words are nurtured, they continue to guide and support them long after childhood.

About the Author

Rosana Sirinarang, known as Sana, works in communications at NIST International School in Bangkok and is also an alumna of the school. She collaborates across departments to share stories of learning, well-being and community life, and has a strong interest in multilingual development and inclusive education.