The study indicates that the first nine months of life are beneficial for language learning, as the brain is in a natural stage of “programming”.   But the “programming” window closes quickly.  If babies hear nothing other than their native language by the age of six months, they will only be able to recognize vowel sounds from that language.  By the age of nine or ten months, they will only recognize consonants from their native language.

Of course, I’m living proof that you can become proficient in a foreign language later in life, too.  But I still can’t completely shake traces of my American accent.

I exposed my kids to languages when they were infants.  I talked and sang to them in French, and I surrounded them with multilingual music.  After reading about this study, I’m glad I did.

I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of my newest niece or nephew any day now.  I think I’ll welcome the little one with CDs of soothing lullabies from around the world.  Check out this article about International Lullaby Collections for the littlest language learners.

It’s never too late to learn a foreign language . . . and it certainly is never too early!  Swaddle your babies in gentle sounds from all corners of the globe.  

Photo Credit:  by just4you at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1031139

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