Mastering a second language like Spanish at preschool isn’t just easier — children develop language skills faster than adults — but it can bring lifelong bilingual benefits in kids. From improved social skills to improved academic performance, here are some advantages of enrolling in a language immersion preschool.
Improved Social Skills
Learning a second language like Spanish in an immersive preschool can enhance a child’s social skills. That’s because children can interact with each other in an interactive learning environment that encourages friendship, collaboration, and cooperation. Socialization is a critical element of childhood development, and learning social skills at a young age can have lifelong benefits.
Read more: Why Socialization is So Important for Preschoolers.
Better Performance in English and Math
Bilingual fourth-graders achieved 25 percent higher scores in English reading tests than students who only spoke one language, according to one study. Fourth-graders also attained higher scores in math.
Read more: Children Who Learn a Second Language Perform Better in English Class.
Better Friendships
One study suggests that learning a second language can improve communication and empathy, helping children develop lifelong friendships. That’s because children who speak more than one language understand people better. Mastering a second language in an immersive environment can also improve tolerance, one of the best benefits of language acquisition.
Read more: How Language Learning Leads to Better Friendships.
Improved Intelligence
Children who learn a second language at an immersion preschool are more likely to have better reading skills and intelligence in adulthood than those who know one language. Science suggests that bilingualism increases gray matter in the brain, leading to the development of more brain cells.
Read more: Does Early Childhood Language Immersion Increase Intelligence?
Better Decision-Making
Language immersion preschool might also improve decision-making later in life. One study suggests that bilingual people make more logical decisions in a second language because there are too many emotions connected to a first language, which can cloud someone’s judgment and problem-solving skills.
Read more: Proven Reasons to Learn a Second Language.
Better Working Memory
Research shows language immersion can help a child improve working memory. Children with a bilingual education are more likely to grasp concepts such as logic quickly, which supports their academic performance and future career chances. Language immersion can also improve reading comprehension.
Read more: How Does Language Immersion Improve Working Memory?
Increased Earning Potential
Immersing a child in a new language can increase earning potential later in life. Knowing Spanish, for example, can add around $50,000 to someone’s salary, making it one of the most lucrative languages to learn.
Read more: Future Career Benefits of Early Spanish Language Immersion.
Final Word
Language immersion preschool provides young learners with numerous benefits. By studying a language like Spanish in an immersive environment, children can increase earning potential, improve working memory, develop social skills, build better friendships, perform better in English and math, improve intelligence, and make better decisions.
KSS Immersion Schools provides children aged 2-6 in the San Francisco Bay Area with Spanish language immersion programs. Enroll now!