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You live in Poland? Do you speak Norwegian without any problems? Nevertheless, recent studies show that it is worth speaking to a child in the mother tongue. This has many advantages. The conversation and debate on this topic arose after the recent broadcast by NRK of material on children's development in bilingual families. A documentary about a mother of Sami origin, who was instructed to speak Norwegian to a few-year-old girl during a routine health check of her daughter. According to the woman's account, according to the doctor and nurse from the clinic in Tromsø, the fact that Sara spoke to her daughter in both Sami and Norwegian was supposed to have a negative impact on the child's development.
Child bilingualism - what do scientists say?
The program met with response from scientists - a special program was launched lists of linguists from 15 language institutions in Norway. We present its fragments:
– For the child's speech development, it is important that parents talk to the child in the language they know best. A child develops language skills most fully in a safe, familiar environment, surrounded by people with whom he or she has emotional bonds. It is at home that he begins to understand the social function of language. If parents try to communicate with him in a language in which they feel uncertain, this will negatively affect the development of his language skills. A good knowledge of your native language is the best basis for learning further languages. Simply put. If Polish a child living in Norway If you don't learn to speak Polish well at home, you will have difficulty learning Norwegian.
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"- Bilingualism does not delay or interfere with speech development. Scientific research does not confirm that the presence of two or more languages in the first years of a child's life is a contributing factor negative influence per speech. In fact, bilingualism brings many benefits, including the development of creativity and improved analytical thinking skills.
- The principle of communicating with children in their mother tongue in the family home applies to all children, including those with developmental problems and speech disorders.
- For child development It is advisable to learn the language in which classes will be conducted before starting school. The best way to do this is for families belonging to linguistic minorities. The most important thing is to provide your child with opportunities to play with peers they like school language is the native language. Therefore, at home we speak to the child in Polish, but at the same time we provide him with as many opportunities as possible to play together Norwegian children (for example through kindergarten classes).
What about it themselves parents?
The topic inspired me so much that I did a small, individual "research". I asked Polish parents I know about what it looks like with them.
”We have always spoken Polish in our home. It seems most natural to me. We want our children to know the language of the country we come from. We can also see that it has a very positive effect on them. They are creative, remember information better, and visits to the country are not a problem. Conversations with grandmothers and aunts. "
Ania from Oslo
“Sure, we speak Polish. What is more, we believe that the knowledge of languages (not only Polish, but also English, French, German opens many doors to development. Knowing languages can travel, explore the world. We also have the best job. Do you know languages? You achieve success! "
Marek from Stavanger
How does it look like with you? Are we waiting for feedback?
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