How Speech Therapy Helps Young Multilingual Children Thrive
November 26, 2025
Raising a Multilanguage Learner (MLL) opens the door to cultural connection, richer communication, cognitive advantages, and long-term academic success. Still, many families worry that speaking two or more languages could confuse a child or cause speech delays.
The good news? Research shows that this is not true. Bilingualism does not cause delays—and speech therapy can play a key role in helping children thrive in all their languages.
Understanding Bilingual Language Development
MLLs develop language at the same rate as monolingual children, but their growth may look different along the way. These differences are normal and expected:
Vocabulary is spread across two languages
Grammar may blend as they learn
Children may prefer one language at different ages
Code-switching is a natural part of development
These patterns reflect healthy bilingual learning—not problems.
What Is Code-Switching—and Why Is It Normal?
Code-switching is when bilingual speakers switch between languages during a conversation, sentence, or interaction.
Example: “Can you help me abrir esto?”
Children (and adults) code-switch for many reasons:
They know a word more easily in one language
They naturally use different languages with different people
It keeps communication flowing
It feels expressive and efficient
Code-switching is NOT a sign of confusion or delay. It shows that the brain is actively—and skillfully—managing two language systems.
Support Healthy Code-Switching
Instead of stopping children from mixing languages, adults should recognize it as a normal part of bilingual development. This helps children feel confident instead of self-conscious.
Adults can say: “I love how you used both languages to tell me what you mean!”
How Therapy Supports Bilingual Children
At Children’s Day Preschool & Family Center, our speech therapists play a key role in supporting children’s bilingual growth. Speech therapy helps bilingual children grow stronger in both languages. A supportive, culturally responsive approach can:
Clarify whether there’s a real delay: Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) use specialized, culturally responsive tools to decide whether a child’s challenges are part of typical bilingual development or signs of a true language disorder. Families receive information that is correct—not based on outdated myths.
Support BOTH languages and it builds a solid foundation in the child's language, strengthens skills, and encourages the healthy use of both languages.
Help support family connection
Reduce frustration
Boost cognitive and academic growth
How Educators and Parents Can Help Support Bilingual Language Development
Parents and educators play a powerful role in helping Multilanguage Learners thrive. With the right strategies, adults can create rich language environments that strengthen communication in both languages. Here are practical ways to support MLLs every day:
Parents can:
Speak the language they are most fluent in
Share songs, stories, and family traditions
Use everyday routines (mealtime, bath time, playtime) to model language
Educators can:
Welcome the home language in the classroom
Invite students to share words from their families
Display books or labels in multiple languages
When families, educators, and therapists work together, Multilanguage Learners build confidence, communication skills, and a strong sense of identity. By honoring both languages, we empower children to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally—for today and for the future.