Children learn their first language naturally and without instruction through loving interaction with their caregivers. With a little planning and forethought, that is how they can learn a second (or third) language, informally and without any effort within lessons.

You may be surprised how language diversity index is growing across the globe. In the U.S. for example, the number of different mother tongues spoken is not low at all, it is in fact, around average - over 300 languages spoken. At 35% it is lower that of Canada,  at 55% , but higher than those of two-thirds of the European countries, like France, Germany, Greece and UK.

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Multilingualism is a fact of life, a fact you can take advantage of to benefit your family. Many families hire caregivers who will teach their children other than their parents can. This is mainly because parents feel strongly that early second language experiences will make their child a richer person and smarter person. We do know that knowledge can only bring benefits for the children, it can't hurt, as it will ease their roads in life, give more opportunities in education and business.

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I have heard from many people who regret they did not learn more languages as children, but I have only rarely, if ever, heard anyone who resents having learned an extra language. Most people consider multilingualism as a gift. They only remember the experience of growing up speaking two languages as easy and natural.

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Two Canadian pioneers of language-learning research, classify people's reasons for learning into utilitarian and emotional. The former involves using language as an instrument to achieve something else, like a job, while the later involves learning the language for the love of it.

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Research shows that children who know at least two languages have expanded capabilities like communicating, thinking and fast-forward learning. Knowing at least a second language brings tangible benefits (cognitive, intellectual) on two levels:

 - metalinguistic awareness which is one of the foundational skills for learning how to read and write. This is the level when you "see the language*, before we learn to read.

- enhanced mental flexibility : this involves divergent thinking  - considered to be one of the basic elements of creativity, and selective attention (more accurate and faster way of thinking)

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The ability to speak more than one language shapes the brain’s capability of thinking outside the box and thinking up innovative ways to solve problems. :) Keep up the good work!