Moving between different languages and finding the right balance is challenging for families. However, studies of bilingual and multi-lingual families show that it is not an impossible task to provide children with the opportunity to practice and learn more than one language. As a parent you will find that you will need to persist with the heritage language, and that you will need to find positive ways of reinforcing it. For instance, when your child says or asks for something, you can translate it back to her or switch language when asking a question rather than of simply responding to your child‘s needs.

Settling into preschool or school can be more challenging for children who are less familiar with the school language. Children might be more irritated and emotional for a while, and at preschool or school children might first go through a silent period. These experiences are common in bilingual and multilingual families.

Try not to work only on your own: bilingual and multilingual language development can also be hugely supported by other people in the environment. Contact with grandparents and the wider family, time spent in the country of origin, and friends in the community who use the heritage language can all support parents in the task of using and maintaining the heritage language. As a parent, it will help you if you make most of these helpful opportunities. What also matters is how the preschool or school responds to issues bilingual and multilingual children bring with them, and if and how they encourage the presence of families’ heritage language in school. As a parent it will be important for you to make sure school understands your language background and knows about how you balance your languages at home.