Raising a Multilingual Child

By Ally Galloway

In our increasingly interconnected world, raising multilingual children is more than a cultural advantage—it’s a life skill. For many families, especially those living in multilingual regions or diaspora communities, the decision to nurture two or even three languages from early childhood is often influenced by a mix of heritage, opportunity, and educational aspirations.

As both a mother and a teaching professional who works closely with bilingual and trilingual students, I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible benefits—and very real challenges—of raising multilingual children. More importantly, I’ve seen how powerful it is when families and schools work together to create supportive, language-rich environments.

Whether you’re a parent considering a bilingual path, or you’re already navigating the ups and downs of multilingualism at home, this article is designed to offer you practical insights, age-appropriate strategies, and a few reassuring reminders that you’re not alone on this journey.

WHY RAISE A MULTILINGUAL CHILD?

Children raised in multilingual environments benefit cognitively, socially, and emotionally. Multilingualism can help develop stronger problem-solving skills, better multitasking abilities, and enhanced memory. On a more personal level, being multilingual helps children connect with grandparents, understand their cultural roots, and engage meaningfully in diverse communities. But the benefits don’t come without effort—and it’s effort shared between family and school.

UNDERSTANDING LANGUAGE FATIGUE AND THE COMFORT LANGUAGE

One question I often hear from parents is: “Why does my child speak English at school all day but only wants to speak their home language the moment they walk in the door?”

This experience is what I call reverting to the comfort language—the language in which the child feels safest, most relaxed, and emotionally connected. For many young learners, especially early talkers and preschool-aged children, the brain can feel quite stretched after a day of processing and producing a new language. Returning home is like slipping on a pair of comfortable pajamas, and that often includes slipping back into their comfort language.

Rather than resisting this, we can support it by making home a haven for language growth and play. It doesn’t mean you give up on practicing the second language—it means being strategic about when and how to introduce it.

ACHIEVING MULTILINGUAL SUCCESS

Here are some of my favorite strategies for multilingual success broken down into three key age groups: toddlers (1–3 years), preschoolers (3–5 years), and early primary (6–8 years). Each stage has unique language needs—and opportunities.

Toddlers (1–3 years): building foundations

Language learning is still passive for many toddlers, so don’t worry if they aren’t “speaking” both languages yet. At this age, exposure is key, so find ways, like the following, to increase language exposure.

One parent, one language (OPOL): If feasible, have each parent consistently speak one language. For example, mom speaks Mandarin and dad speaks English.

Routine-based language use: Assign a language to specific routines, for example bathtime in French, bedtime stories in Tagalog.

Music and rhymes: Toddlers absorb language rhythmically. Choose songs, rhymes, and simple books in all target languages.

Home tip: Avoid correcting your toddler too much. Instead, model the correct phrase in a warm, playful tone. Toddlers learn by hearing, not by being corrected.

Preschoolers (3–5 years): vocabulary explosion

Preschoolers begin combining words and expanding vocabulary. This is a great time to introduce consistent language expectations at home and to partner with educators. You could try some of the following ideas.

Language days: Alternate “language days” at home—Monday, Wednesday, Friday in your heritage language; other days in the school language.

Shared reading: Read the same book in two languages. For example, one night in Korean, the next in German.

Play-based learning: Set up play scenarios like tea parties or shopkeeper games and act them out in the target language.

At school: Communicate with your child’s teacher about your language goals. Share key vocabulary in your home language that your child uses often. This builds bridges between environments.

Early primary (6–8 years): consolidating skills

Children at this stage begin reading and writing independently. This is the perfect time to introduce some of these more structured activities without making it feel like “school at home”. 

Bilingual journals: Encourage your child to keep a diary where they draw and write in both languages.

TV with subtitles: Watching shows in the home language with second-language subtitles—or vice versa—helps build visual and auditory links.

Grandparent calls: Regular video calls with relatives who speak a different language can provide natural practice.

School collaboration: Ask if bilingual books can be brought into the classroom or if your child can share a cultural story with peers. 

THE ROLE OF EXTENDED FAMILY AND CAREGIVERS

Multilingualism isn’t just for parents—it’s a team effort. Encourage grandparents, nannies, and other caregivers to consistently stick to one language. Consistency builds confidence. One mother shared with me that her child spoke Mandarin only with grandma, and those daily afternoon chats became the foundation of the child’s fluency. That’s the power of intentional exposure.

AVOID LANGUAGE CONFUSION AND PRESSURE

A common concern is whether children will get confused when learning multiple languages. The answer is: not if you stay consistent. Children are brilliant at differentiating languages, especially when they understand the context—English with dad, French with grandma, Thai at school.

That said, the pressure to “perform” can backfire. If a child senses stress or judgment, they may withdraw. Celebrate effort over correctness. Let mistakes be part of the journey.

LANGUAGE LEARNING SHOULD BE A JOY

The most successful multilingual families I’ve worked with share one trait: they make language learning fun and connected to real life. Cooking together in English, bedtime stories in Japanese, birthday cards written in both Thai and English—these are the things that shape identity and fluency.

SNAPSHOT TIPS FOR BUSY FAMILIES

Keep books accessible: Have a rotating shelf of books in all target languages.

Use audio: Listen to audiobooks or children’s podcasts during car rides.

Make it routine: Link languages to daily habits—Monday songs in Spanish, Friday cooking in Tamil.

Get creative: Use art to label household items in both languages.

Talk to your teachers: Share your family’s language goals and strategies with your child’s educators.

Be patient: Language growth comes in waves. There will be times of silence followed by bursts of speech.

Encourage, don’t correct: Repeat sentences with the correct form gently—model, don’t reprimand.

Celebrate multilingual wins: Acknowledge every little moment, whether it’s a new word or a full sentence.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Raising a multilingual child isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection. It’s about giving your child the tools to express themselves, understand others, and carry their identity with pride. As parents, we may worry we’re not doing enough, or that we’re doing it “wrong”. But every bedtime story, every shared laugh in your home language, every phrase your child experiments with, is a step in the right direction. Multilingualism isn’t just a skill. It’s a gift. And with the right blend of support at home and in school, it’s a gift your child will carry with them for life.

About the Author

Ally Galloway is the new Early Years and Elementary Principal at the Canadian International School of Thailand. With a background in education and communications, Ally is a proud mother of three and a passionate educator, deeply committed to the importance of connecting curiosity and learning for a positive and meaningful educational journey.