Finding your family language rhythm (we’re here for you!)

In our very first Mother tongue blog post, we’d like to start with a shout out to everyone who is raising children in more than one language.

You’re probably here because you believe in the value of transmitting languages to the next generation and building cultural identity and heritage through family language. And we are here for you!

Our belief: family matters

The term ‘Mother Tongue’’ means the language which a person has grown up speaking from early childhood. We chose this name for our fledgling company because it also reflects the importance of family in the development of children’s language and identity.

We know that language in our early years comes primarily from our caregivers. Children’s cultural and linguistic experience at home, in their early years and with their family is the foundation of their future learning. Bilingualism brings benefits for children’s brain development and future opportunities. And a rich and supportive linguistic environment at home can strengthen family bonds, build children’s heritage and cultural experience and preserve a family’s heritage language.

Navigating a bilingual and bicultural childhood is complex for the child and family alike. But we believe it starts with one essential ingredient. The commitment and motivation of the family. Love and connection play a major part in children’s language journey. It is not something to be left in the classroom.

Trust your instincts and go with the flow

The good news is, when it comes to bilingual parenting, experts now say we should just go with the flow!

For those of you who like a bit of theory, we’re talking about the so-called plurilingualism approach which views language use as fluid and dynamic. Family life is rarely static so this approach feels like it fits really well with the reality of bringing up our little humans. As children grow into their abilities and identities, as home life shifts and as the world around them ebbs and flows we continually need to learn and adapt. Fixed rules and regimes don’t necessarily lead to the best outcomes for children and families, so the approach suggests you can simply go with the flow. Mix things up. Use different languages in different situations. Adapt to the moment and the situation. And follow our children’s energy and interest to help them grow.

This really makes sense as people, languages and cultures move around the globe. Our children live in an ever more diverse society. In fact, 20% of school children in the UK are multilingual.

Mother Tongue is here for YOU!

Here at Mother Tongue we will certainly be talking about language theories, strategies and tools to support bilingual and multilingual families as our small business takes flight. You might already be familiar with common approaches like the one-language-one-parent policy where each parent only speaks their first language to the child to avoid confusion. Or there’s front-loading, immersion and more. We’ll get to that, we promise.

But today, you might call this our maiden voyage. Our first blog post. So it’s important to start as we mean to go on and say, however you approach languages in your family, that’s ok!

In fact, that’s great.

Many of us have long believed that how we chose to support our children to grow into their own identities - especially through family language and culture - is a personal matter.

We really need to start from a place of confidence. Confidence that you can find and follow your own family language rhythm - and that in the end this will be the best for you and your child.

At Mother Tongue, we will walk alongside you as you build that confidence and navigate and celebrate your own family language journey. Whether you want an advisor, cheerleader, confidante… we are here for you.

We’ve got so many ideas to share, starting with our exciting product launch next month - our very first bilingual celebration kit just in time for Christmas. In the meantime, please do join our small but wonderful community of committed and curious families so that we can build the conversations and connections to help bilingual families in the UK to thrive.