I work at a children’s daycare centre and I try to speak at least a few words of each child’s language.
Firstly, it’s good to hear your language from some people other than your own parents only, and hopefully motivates the child to keep that language as a part of their own life. Heard too many stories of “my mother talked to me in this language, but I never actually used it for anything else, so I’ve forgotten all of it.”
Secondly, if they are distracted, they are unable to listen to other languages but might hear their own. Earlier, I used to work as a substitute worker for a workforce rental company owned by the towns comprising the capital city area of Finland. I was sitting at the lunch table and one 6-year-old had incredible difficulties concentrating on eating properly with an unknown adult at the table. I noticed they were interested in listening to me, but somehow talking with the other kids was too much more interesting. So, I asked them how to say “eat!” in their own language, Somali. It’s something like “ün!” After that, every time I noticed the child forgot they were supposed to be eating, I said “ün!”, he smiled and took a forkful of food. And another and a third. Until he forgot and I had to utter another ün. But, it worker really well and I’ve used the technique afterwards as well. “How do I tell you to _____ in your own language?” is a question that brings one surprisingly far with children.
But yeah, there being 7000 languages out there, it’s a bit difficult deciding which ones to learn. Learning ones used by people around you is a good excuse.
I work at a children’s daycare centre and I try to speak at least a few words of each child’s language.
Firstly, it’s good to hear your language from some people other than your own parents only, and hopefully motivates the child to keep that language as a part of their own life. Heard too many stories of “my mother talked to me in this language, but I never actually used it for anything else, so I’ve forgotten all of it.”
Secondly, if they are distracted, they are unable to listen to other languages but might hear their own. Earlier, I used to work as a substitute worker for a workforce rental company owned by the towns comprising the capital city area of Finland. I was sitting at the lunch table and one 6-year-old had incredible difficulties concentrating on eating properly with an unknown adult at the table. I noticed they were interested in listening to me, but somehow talking with the other kids was too much more interesting. So, I asked them how to say “eat!” in their own language, Somali. It’s something like “ün!” After that, every time I noticed the child forgot they were supposed to be eating, I said “ün!”, he smiled and took a forkful of food. And another and a third. Until he forgot and I had to utter another ün. But, it worker really well and I’ve used the technique afterwards as well. “How do I tell you to _____ in your own language?” is a question that brings one surprisingly far with children.
But yeah, there being 7000 languages out there, it’s a bit difficult deciding which ones to learn. Learning ones used by people around you is a good excuse.