Your infant’s brain has 10x more connections than the entire internet! A baby is born with about 100 billion neurons
— roughly the number of stars in the Milky Way.
During the first 3 years of life, synapses (connections between the neurons that act as information pathways) form at a rate of about 700-1000 per second. You can think of synapses like hyperlinks—the internet has 100 trillion links, while a child’s brain has a quadrillion synapses. The number of synapses reaches its peak at two to three years of age when there are about 15,000 synapses per neuron.
Synapses are created through every experience and interaction a baby has — experiences form the architecture of the brain. Over time, the brain prunes unused synapses and strengthens ones that are used most.
Language Study and the Child's Brain
A baby’s brain is very pliable — it is molded and shaped by experience.
Research demonstrates that the first year of life represents a window of unique language learning abilities. An infant's brain exhibits high neuroplasticity, when the brain can change and new neuron connections can be created.
Early childhood is a key time for language learning. As we age, brain plasticity decreases and it becomes more challenging to acquire another language.
Your Baby is a "Citizen of the World"
The most vital window for language acquisition is the first 5 years of life, especially the first 3 years. It is important to begin a second language as early as possible, mainly during the so-called “sensitive period” of acquiring languages. This sensitive period is especially significant for skill-building
and verbal learning. Regular exposure to more than one language extends the sensitive period in the developing brain.
Research, supported by brain study, demonstrates that exposure to a second language during the first 5 years of life produces the best possible outcomes
for full, native-like acquisition of that language.
Children don’t need to be talking already to benefit from language exposure!
Infants acquire a great deal of knowledge about language before they can speak.
Long before they say their first word, they are learning about the phonetics of the languages(s) they hear, and taking “phonetic inventory” or “statistics” on the sounds they need to know.
Infants (from 0-9 months) have the unique gift of being able to discriminate the phonetic units (distinguish between all the sounds) of all the world’s languages — something adults are not capable of. Scientists say that babies are “Citizens of the World.” Research demonstrates that early foreign-language intervention facilitates learning and prolongs the ability to discriminate foreign sounds by children.
The Importance of Human Interaction in Language Learning
90% of a Child's Brain Development Happens Before Age 5
– Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University.
Infants rely on sensorimotor connections when listening to speech.
Language learning relies heavily on social interaction. Face-to-face interactions
and the serve-and-return relationship between a baby and parent/caregiver are essential. Infants need talking, singing, hugging, holding hands, playing, and looking at a real person’s face to learn language — positive experiences
and loving, attentive, responsive relationships.
Serve and return interactions shape brain architecture. When an infant or young child babbles, gestures, or cries, and an adult responds appropriately with eye contact, words, or a hug, neural connections are built and strengthened in the child’s brain that support the development of communication and social skills. Much like a lively game of tennis, volleyball, or Ping-Pong, this back-and-forth is both fun and capacity-building. When caregivers are sensitive and responsive to a young child’s signals and needs, they provide an environment rich in serve-and-return experiences.
Language Study and Academic Success
Learning additional languages increases critical thinking skills, creativity, and flexibility of the mind in young children. Language learning boosts listening skills, problem-solving ability, and memory.
Bilingualism is associated with improved executive function and higher academic achievement, including higher scores on standardized tests (math and verbal).
