How We're Raising Bilingual Kids (WITHOUT OPOL!)

Check out the description for links to some of the Youtube and Instagram accounts I mentioned in the video (along with others I didn't mention specifically by name, but are those that I follow for ideas along this bilingual parenting journey!) If you have recommendations for accounts, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. Many (but not all) of the accounts I listed are Spanish/English bilingual because that's the journey we're on, but please feel free to suggest other bilingual/multilingual families with different language combos!

This is so encouraging! I really like how your approaching it, without opol, that's cool!

Good to you know your tips for raising bilingual kids Enjoyed watching. Keep up the good work 👍🙌

Great share of the information and advices from your experiences!

This is a great resource, Rachel. Knowing more than one language is kinda critical these days is so quintessential, especially the global marketplace we (and tomorrow, our children will) live in. Great to hear the chances you're giving your kids from the get-go. Stay blessed. - ✨ Your Awesome Friends at The S'witty Kiwi Show 💜

Fascinating Rachel! OPOL has worked really well for us in our situation so far but I feel like there is no right way to raise bilingual little ones and everyone totally needs to work out what works for their family situation and each individual child! I also read and sing to Ben quite often now in German if he brings me a German book because it is the minority language and there is a big chance our approach will change in the future to speak more German at home! Minority language books are the best and probably most amazing resource! My random German vocab has improved so much since having Ben too! 🙈 Thanks for sharing your ideas and journey so far!

Hi its Victoria from home Educating the mad lads on the husbands phone. This is interesting. They reckon kids can pick up different languages so much easier than adults but I knew a Russian woman married to an English man and she was so worried about confusing her kid with two different languages but the speech therapist said don't stress just keep going x

You guys are doing awesome! I’m so impressed!

I like seeing your videos in my subscription feed in the mornings.

You are doing an amazing job, what a gift to give to your kids.

We are also raising tck! We are lucky though, because my wage earning husband's language is the community language. So, just like you all, there Spanish exposure is low from Dad, but the community exposure helps. Their English has gotten way stronger than their Spanish due to the pandemic, though! I totally understand the point you made about the division. My husband understands a bit of English, but he and I speak Spanish together, so he often doesn't understand what I am saying to the kids, and it truly does cause stress. If the community language were English or a third language, I would definitely do minority language at home. Opol is tried and true, but so is minority language at home! As long as you stay the course, they will be be fine! I think consistency is the most important thing, not the method as long as exposure is sufficient.

That is wonderful that you are raising your children bilingual 👍

This is awesome my husband and I are not bilingual but I would love for my kids to be! Definitely inspiring for me to start now and start teaching my kids (even though we are not bilingual!). Hopefully I’ll learn some too.

Spanish shows and books are a great way to support bilingual kids. I need to be more proactive in this.

This is awesome. I so badly want my kids to be bilingual but neither my husband or I are fluent in the language. These were all great tips!

This is awesome and totally makes sense why not to do the one person one language

I definitely have to pick up some Spanish books. We are loving song school Spanish I’m hoping to find some books that will reinforce the vocab they are using

As a homeschooling mom, I have learned that you have to do what works for your family. Because what works for one may not work for another.

Some of my children speak a little English and Spanish. Some will hear Spanish and choose to answer in English. They respond with what feels comfortable.

I know I do better with my Spanish when I watch shows and movies in Spanish. I need to do that more often!!!