Before children start school, they may be exposed to English on TV, in the playground, and in the print they see on cereal boxes and street signs. Children will learn a lot about English from the environment around them. If your child has also had some formal exposure to English, such as going to a playgroup in which English is the primary language spoken, then school can provide additional opportunities for him to learn the language. Children and teachers alike can serve as models, helping your child communicate what he knows and can do. You may even be surprised by how quickly he picks up the language as he plays and learns alongside other English-speaking children. If your child has had no formal exposure to English, he will use what he knows about his native language to learn English - which will be a major task. Talk with your child's teacher about your goals for your child, as well as any concerns you have.

Excerpt from "Learning Two Languages." Reprinted with permission from PBS Parents.

Yes. You will therefore need to decide if you want your child to maintain his skills in your native language. Consider your long-term goals. If you and your family will not return to your home country, maintaining the native language may not be a priority. Also consider your family situation. If extended family members don't speak English, it will be important for your child to maintain his native language so he can communicate with people closest to him. Also consider how your child might feel about losing his native language and a sense of his cultural identity when he gets older.

Excerpt from "Learning Two Languages." Reprinted with permission from PBS Parents.

Talking to your child regularly lays the foundation for her language and literacy development. If you are most comfortable with your native language, you will be better able to communicate your feelings and ideas in that language. You can use words to label objects and describe what is happening as a way of teaching new words. You can recite rhymes and poems to develop her awareness of sounds. You can take turns talking about the day, things she notices, and books that you read together.

By talking together, you teach your child about the purpose of language, while helping her express her feelings and ideas. And by speaking to your child in your native language, you also teach her about her culture and her identity.

Excerpt from "Learning Two Languages." Reprinted with permission from PBS Parents.

It requires time, persistence, and creativity. Some parents speak to their child only in their native language, even if their child responds in English. Other parents send their children to afterschool programs to learn more about their native language. You can also create routines to help your child maintain her native language — from outings with family members to watching movies and reading books in your native language.

Excerpt from "Learning Two Languages." Reprinted with permission from PBS Parents.

It requires time, persistence, and creativity. Some parents speak to their child only in their native language, even if their child responds in English. Other parents send their children to afterschool programs to learn more about their native language. You can also create routines to help your child maintain her native language - from outings with family members to watching movies and reading books in your native language.

Avoid correcting your child or you might discourage him. A good way to help your child learn the "right" way to say something is to affirm what he says, using the correct pronunciation, sentence structure, or grammar. For example, if your child says, "The mail comed," you might say, "You're right. The mail came. Let's see if we got a letter from Grandma."

Excerpt from "Learning Two Languages." Reprinted with permission from PBS Parents.

Help your child see that speaking another language is something to be proud of. You can share your pride in your language and your culture in a number of ways. Talk about family photos and events and special people in your lives. Tell your child about traditions and celebrate them together. Read fairy tales, myths, and other stories from your culture. Reading and talking about these stories will help your child learn new words and explore new concepts. At the same time, these stories will help your child learn about and take pride in your cultural values and traditions.

Excerpt from "Learning Two Languages." Reprinted with permission from PBS Parents.

Even if your cousin doesn't speak English, she can build connections with English-language speakers. She can take her toddler to story hour at her local public library. These times often include songs and finger plays in addition to a story read aloud by a librarian. Trips to the playground will also provide her child with opportunities to play alongside English-language speakers. Such activities will not only help her child learn English, but can help your cousin learn English as well.

Excerpt from "Learning Two Languages." Reprinted with permission from PBS Parents.

Learning even just one language is a complex process. But young children have the potential to learn more than one language. Again, what is most important is that you talk with your child in the language with which you are most comfortable, so you can have the types of conversations that promote your child's thinking and language development.

It is also important to be a good language model and not mix up languages. That is, when talking with your child in English, don't mix in phrases and sentences from your native language. However, don't be surprised if your child uses words from both languages in one sentence. This is not a sign of confusion, but her current way of communicating what she wants to say.

Excerpt from "Learning Two Languages." Reprinted with permission from PBS Parents.

Regardless of the language you use with your child, you can extend his literacy skills by reading, writing, and talking together as much as possible. Make shopping lists and write letters to special people together. Look at cookbooks and make your child's favorite recipes together. Tell stories together and write them down so you and your child can revisit them later. Read different types of books together, from poetry to storybooks to nonfiction. Talk to your child about the books he reads, his experiences, and what he imagines. By talking and reading to your child each day, by reading and writing yourself, and by listening to your child read to you, you will encourage a love of language and a lifelong love of reading.

Excerpt from "Learning Two Languages." Reprinted with permission from PBS Parents.