One of the most common—and costly—mistakes parents make in raising bilingual children is choosing a school that focuses solely on their heritage language in the early years. While the intention is admirable—preserving culture, deepening family bonds, and maintaining identity—this approach can unintentionally undermine a child’s full bilingual development. Science tells us: both languages must develop in parallel for bilingualism to be successful.
The Myth of “Catching Up Later”
Parents often assume that because their child is exposed to English in the broader environment (media, community, future schooling), they can focus exclusively on their heritage language during the early years. The assumption is that English will “come naturally” later. While it’s true that immersion in any language helps, language development doesn’t happen passively.
Neuroscience shows us that the early years—especially ages 0–6—are when the brain is most plastic and receptive to language. This is the critical period for phonetic learning, grammar processing, and cognitive wiring across multiple linguistic systems. Missing this window for either language can result in imbalanced bilingualism, where one language becomes dominant and the other stagnates or is eventually lost.
What the Research Shows
- Parallel exposure to both languages (even in unequal proportions) helps form distinct but connected neural pathways in the brain. This dual-language stimulation promotes executive functioning, task-switching skills, and enhanced memory.
- A 2020 study published in Child Development found that children who received balanced input in two languages developed stronger metalinguistic awareness—the ability to think about and manipulate language structures—compared to children with heritage-only input.
- According to Dr. Ellen Bialystok, a leading researcher in bilingualism at York University, “Maintaining bilingualism requires active and consistent engagement in both languages. Passive understanding is not enough for long-term cognitive and social benefits.”
- The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association emphasizes that young bilingual children should be encouraged to use both languages regularly, across multiple domains: home, school, and play. Limiting one language to only one setting often restricts vocabulary growth and pragmatic use.
Risks of One-Language Schooling
- Delayed English acquisition: Children placed in heritage-only programs often experience delays in academic English proficiency, which can later affect reading, writing, and test performance.
- Language attrition: If children later switch to an English-dominant environment (as most do), they may abandon their heritage language due to social pressure or lack of fluency.
- Cognitive plateau: A child fluent in one language but only passively exposed to another does not get the full cognitive benefits of bilingualism, such as increased working memory and creative problem-solving.
- Social-emotional strain: Children may feel alienated in peer groups or struggle to express themselves fully in either language if neither is sufficiently developed.
Why Parallel Development Matters
Parallel language development means that both languages grow together, even if one is dominant at home and the other at school. The goal isn’t perfect balance—it’s active engagement in both. This allows the brain to:
- Build cross-linguistic bridges, enhancing comprehension and vocabulary in both languages
- Develop cognitive flexibility, improving attention, reasoning, and multitasking
- Strengthen social adaptability, allowing children to feel confident in diverse environments
Our Approach at Global Children School
At Global Children School, we believe language is not just a tool—it's a foundation for identity, learning, and worldview. Our multilingual immersion model provides structured exposure to multiple languages from the start, guided by native-speaking educators, intentional play, and developmentally appropriate strategies.
We integrate English, Spanish, and Russian in everyday activities, ensuring that each language is heard, spoken, and understood within meaningful contexts—not just during "language time."
By supporting parallel language development, we empower children to thrive as:
- Confident communicators
- Cross-cultural thinkers
- Future-ready learners
Final Thought: Don’t Choose Culture Over Competence—Choose Both
Parents shouldn’t have to choose between preserving their child’s heritage and ensuring academic and social readiness. The key is intentionally developing both languages in parallel from the earliest years.
Avoid the trap of waiting. Multilingualism is a journey that starts now.
Call to Action
Ready to support your child’s full bilingual or multilingual potential?
Book a tour of Global Children School in Woburn, Natick, or Cambridge—where global learning begins in the earliest years.
Explore a school where heritage and future fluency grow hand in hand
