What You Can Do

When children are young, they learn by listening and talking with their parents, relatives, babysitters, and others.
If you and your child are more comfortable with Spanish, then sing, talk, and read with your child in Spanish. This will build your child's speaking, listening, and understanding skills. These skills will later help him or her speak and read English.

Knowing two languages is a gift you can give your child. Many children lose the ability to speak and read in Spanish when growing up in the United States. With encouragement from you, though, your child can become fluent in not just one language, but two!

Once your child goes to school, you still have a great influence on how well he or she will do. For example, you can:
• Encourage learning at home
• Keep track to make sure your child is not getting behind
• Learn the many ways to help your child by talking with his or her teacher
• understand what to do if your child needs extra help