First 5 Sonoma County

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Reading stories aloud to children builds a strong language foundation.

Supporting dual language learners

Understanding and speaking in two or more languages is a remarkable skill and provides many benefits to a child, family, school, and society. We often hear that teaching children more than one language gets them confused, but in fact science shows that raising children to be bilingual actually helps with brain development, increased memory, flexibility and focus.

First 5 Sonoma County is committed to supporting and addressing the needs of young dual language learners (DLLs) to promote optimal learning and development in early learning and care systems.

Sonoma County’s dual language learners vary along many characteristics such as home language, race/ethnicity, family socioeconomic status, and country of origin. Currently, over 60% of children from birth to age 5 in California live in households where a language other than English is spoken. Dual language learners are children who are learning two or more languages at the same time.

Research has shown that in our county, dual language learners are half as likely to be ready to go academically and socioemotionally for kindergarten. Incorporating ways that early childhood teachers and providers can support the learning and development of dual language learners is not optional, but a necessity in our county. Loss of home language in the early years due to lack of support causes dual language learners to fall behind when entering kindergarten, and many never catch up.

Parents, caregivers, and families are key to holding high expectations and supporting home language development for their dual language learners.

Help promote positive experiences for these young children by:

• Listening and singing songs in multiple languages. • Recite rhymes that teach them new words. • Read stories aloud to children in their home language. • Building a solid foundation with their home language will make it easier for them to learn others.

Thanks to First 5 California Dual Language Learner Pilot grant, First 5 Sonoma County has been able to identify effective strategies that support dual language development across early learning settings and has delivered effective professional learning opportunities so early childhood educators Continued on next page...

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and child care providers can effectively support the learning and development of young DLLs.

With this pilot, First 5 has also been able to engage families in the Abriendo Puertas Program, a 10-session evidence-based comprehensive program developed by and for Latino parents with children ages 0-5 that equips parents as their child’s first and most important teacher and advocate in the areas of school readiness, and family well-being.

With even more investments in this area by the First 5 Commission over the next three years, and commitment to collaborate on supporting dual language learners by community partners, the system of support for dual language learners and their families will continue to grow.

To learn more about programs supporting dual language learners and training opportunities for early childhood educators, visit first5sonomacounty.org. 707-522-2021 first5sonomacounty.org

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Reading is a great way to bond with your grandchildren.