There are lots and lots of articles listing the numerous advantages of learning a second language at an early age.
It doesn’t matter how many you read, they all agree on one point… ‘the earlier you start, the better!’
The advantages of learning a second language like Spanish as a young child:
At this early age, children don’t ‘learn’ a language, they just ‘acquire’ it!
Children who learn another language before age five, use the same part of the brain to acquire that second language that they use to learn their mother tongue.
At La Casita, your child will learn Spanish at no extra cost.
Younger children are uninhibited by the fear of making mistakes, which cannot be said for adults.
Research shows that learning a second language boosts problem-solving, critical-thinking, and listening skills, in addition to improving memory, concentration, and the ability to multitask.
Children proficient in a second language show signs of enhanced creativity and mental flexibility.
The cognitive benefits of learning a language have a direct impact on a child’s academic achievement.
Compared to those without an additional language, bilingual children have improved reading, writing, and maths skills, and they generally score higher on standardised tests.
Contrary to popular belief, young children are NOT confused by the introduction of multiple languages at the same time. Not only do they naturally navigate multilingual environments, but acquiring a second language early in life primes the brain to learn multiple other languages, opening a world of opportunities for later on in life.
Children develop an interest in and curiosity about different cultures and ideas when they have a foundation in other languages.
Research studies particularly support starting bilingual education at preschool level.
Children under 5 are better at mimicking new sounds and adopting pronunciation than older learners.
The best way for a child to understand a new language is to hear it being spoken regularly.
Children learn through repetition and active engagement with another language.
Children just have fun in while acquiring a new language.
Sources:
https://www.leadwithlanguages.org/why-learn-languages/early-childhood-elementary
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20181024-the-best-age-to-learn-a-foreign-language
https://www.thelearningexperience.com/bubbles-blog/the-benefits-of-second-language-acquisition-in-early-childhood