Promising Practices - Early Childhood
Promoting the Educational Success of Children and Youth Learning English
Most, if not all, early childhood education teachers and staff will work with dual language learners during their careers and will need to understand effective practices that promote these young children’s healthy development and learning. All such teachers can learn and implement strategies that systematically introduce English during the infant, toddler, and preschool years while simultaneously promoting maintenance of the home language. Not all teachers can teach in all languages, but all teachers can learn specific strategies that support the maintenance of all languages.
When dual language learners are exposed to English during the preschool years, they often show a preference for English and a reluctance to continue speaking their first language. Children who fail to maintain proficiency in their home language may lose their ability to communicate with parents and family members and risk becoming estranged from their cultural and linguistic heritage. There is clear consensus that young dual language learners need consistent exposure to both their first language and English in early childhood care and education settings.
Early Care and Education Promising Practices
Strategies that Support DLLs and English Development