Preschoolers in French & Spanish Classes: There is Sound Science Behind It
by Jessica Pupillo
Droves of St. Louis parents are seeking out second language opportunities for their young children and for good reason: kids exposed to another language have a clear advantage later in life, experts say.
Very young children are adept at hearing and emulating the sounds and accents used in language, said Brenda Fyfe, dean of the School of Education at Webster University and an expert on early childhood education.
Language exposure also helps children build relationships. A variety of languages are spoken in St. Louis, and it's important for children to be comfortable making diverse friends and relating to classmates that may not speak English well, Fyfe said.
"It's a shrinking world," she said. "It’s becoming more and more critical for us to at least respect and be open to challenging ourselves to learn another language."
Research indicates the best time to learn a second language is before age seven. Many families are attracted to the Wilson School's French program, which begins in preschool to capitalize on this window of opportunity for language attainment.
"Young children trust their ears and bodies completely," said Joana Ocros-Ritter, French and Latin teacher at Wilson, located in Clayton. "Being very young allows you to be very open and receptive." Learning a second language teaches kids how to think in more than one pattern, she said. By the time students reach fourth grade, they are ready to tackle a third language, Latin.
Demand for language programs is also fueled by employers who demand bilingual hires, said Veronica Greene, director of Casa de Ninos Bilingual Montessori Academy in Ballwin, where Spanish is the only language spoken by caregivers. In spite of offering a true immersion program, Greene said her goal is not necessarily to turn her preschoolers into fluent Spanish speakers.
"It's more important to me that the brain is stimulated at an early age," she said. "The children develop listening skills that are more acute than if they were not exposed to other languages."
Enrollment at the Spanish Clubhouse for Kids has quickly mushroomed, said co-owner Sara King. Using songs, games, art and play, the clubhouse teaches Spanish to kids six months through 10 years. King and her sister began offering Spanish sessions to 10 kids in their Kirkwood location in June 2006. They've since opened a Ballwin clubhouse and now serve more than 80 families.
"As the population of Spanish-speaking people grows, families are starting to see that this is going to be a big part of their children's future," King said. The clubhouse "helps us be better neighbors and better learners."
Jessica Pupillo is a St. Louis-based freelance writer and mom to twin boys. She can be reached at jessica.pupillo@gmail.com.
