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Getting tongue-tied can be difficult to overcome, especially if you’re bilingual. If talking in one language is hard enough, imagine when you have to do it in two!

As such, it can be a real worry for parents when deciding if they want to raise their kids to speak two or more languages. I mean, isn’t one enough? Why burden them with another?

Yet, the gift of two languages is wonderful, and resources like the Luisita series complete collection are fantastic.

Today, we ask the question: Does bilingualism slow development?

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Do Bilingual Kids Have Delayed Speech?

A common worry for bilingual parents is that their child may start talking later than kids who only speak one language. There’s a stereotype that bilingual children are always losing their words, too much crammed into their little minds. You might often hear stories about kids mixing up words from both languages, or being quieter than other kids their age.

This feeling can be a lot like the speech anxiety adults sometimes feel.

While it’s true that some bilingual kids might have a “quiet time” when first learning a second language. But, during this time, their brains are like super sponges, soaking up all the new sounds and rules. They might not say a lot, but their brains are actually working super hard to figure out both languages.

This is a totally normal part of how kids learn languages. And when you’re raising global children, it’s not a sign they’re falling behind or that they’ll have verbal fluency issues.

It’s just how speech development in bilingual children often happens.

What the Science Says About Getting Tongue-Tied

Instead of slowing things down, studies consistently show that knowing two languages actually gives kids many brain boosts. This is a big reason why bilingualism doesn’t actually delay development.

When compared with children who only know one language growing up, bilingual children are actually (1) better at solving problems, juggling two languages means the brain constantly switches back and forth; (2) stronger at thinking, which means remembering things, being flexible in their ideas, and having good self-control; (3) more mentally flexible, better at trying new things and thinking creatively; (4) sturdier brains, speaking two languages throughout life helps delay memory problems and diseases like Alzheimer’s when we get older; and (5) deeper understanding of language.

These benefits come from the constant brain workout a bilingual brain gets. It’s not about literally getting tongue-tied. It’s about building a smarter, quicker brain.

Switching from One Language to Another

Another common worry that bilingual parents may have is code-switching. This is when bilingual kids use words from both languages in the same sentence. But this isn’t a sign they’re confused, or that they’ll start stammering, or have other verbal fluency issues.

Actually, code-switching is an important skill that bilingual kids use! It shows they’re good at using both languages, picking the best words available, especially if one language has a perfect word for what they mean. It’s a normal part of speaking two languages and often means they’re really good at both.

Help Your Child Learn Two Languages Today!

Don’t let worries about getting tongue-tied or speech anxiety stop you from giving your child the amazing gift of speaking two languages.

To offer kids who speak two languages the best of both worlds, parents should make sure they hear and use both languages a lot right from when they’re babies. This means creating a home where both languages are actively spoken and seen as important. You can do this by reading books, playing games, and having conversations in both languages. It also helps if they get to talk with people who speak those languages naturally, like family members, friends in the community, or even through special classes. This helps their brains grow stronger, connects them to different cultures, and gives them a great start for learning throughout their lives and talking to people all over the world.

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To help your child’s language and feelings grow, check out Luisita is sick / Luisita está enferma by Dora Przybylek. This wonderful bilingual book shows how good stories can help kids learn and grow. This and Dora Przybylek’s other great bilingual books will help your child thrive without worrying about public speaking nerves or verbal fluency issues.