1. You need a plan

   
   

In my mind the logical way was “each of us will speak its own language” turns out this method has a name: The OPOL method. And guess what = It’s not the only method. Which I would have known, have I done my research beforehand. Every situation is different, so you need to find the right approach to your own situation. 

1. Your kid might NOT want to speak your language ( 

   
   

Let’s assume that you’ve spoken French to your child since birth, and you’re the primary caregiver. One would think that your child will feel more comfortable in French. That might be true for a time. But you live in the US and your spouse and his family speaks English. As soon as they are in contact with the rest of the world through day care, school, family friends etc. They will pick this language up, quicker than you may think, if they haven’t already done so. And if they realize that you also understand that language, why would they bother speaking yours ?

That’s why having a plan is important. To anticipate these things and increase engagement rate in your child.

1. Bilingualism is not a synonym for speech delay

   
   

This has to be one of the biggest misconceptions about bilingualism. I’ve talked about it before, but One of the main reason why parents think that their child is late is because they  often fail to consider ALL the spoken languages.

For example, it is said that a 12.month old child should know between 10 and 15 words. But YOUR child only uses 5 in French. That’s usually when you start with the OMG what’s with him, and you go on a Google frenzy already thinking he has autism and what not.

Well, does your child only speak French or other languages as well ? And if so, do you know how many words he uses in ALL the other languages ?

You might be surprise you total everything, it might even know more words than average. 

1. 30% exposure weekly 

According to experts, a child needs to be exposed to the target language at least 30% per week in order to acquire it and become bilingual.

But what does that look like to you on a day-to-day basis. Well, I am shitty in math, so I needed my husband’s help on that one. And after taking away work, sleep, and random Instagram swipes, we agreed that this would refer to a total of 1 hour a day.  

1. Find your Bilingual Tribe

   
   

Honestly, this is one of the most important point. Your child needs to realize that there are other people that it can connect with in the target language, whether it’s through bilingual school, or playdates with another french child, or simply facetime with family members. My daughter tends to switch languages when talking to me, but when my brother came to visit us, she quickly realized that he didn't understand Swiss German. So what did she do ? She adjusted and used every French words that she knew. When he left, I noticed that certain words she had so far told me in Swiss German, she now said in French. And after a 6-week stay in Guadeloupe this summer, this little lady came back speaking French to her relatives and for the first time ever THEY had to figure out what she was trying to say LMAO.