Resources

Interested in learning more about how children develop two or more languages?  

The following resources provide information about bilingual language development and developmental language disorder (DLD), common questions families may have, and ways to support children’s languages. 

• ASHA — Learning More Than One Language (English and Spanish) 
• HealthyChildren.org — Young Children Learning Multiple Languages: Parent FAQs (English and Spanish) 
• Bilingualism Matters — Resources 
• RADLD — Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder 

Why do bilingual speakers sometimes use more than one language during a conversation? Is code-switching a sign of confusion or a language difficulty? 

The following resources explain code-switching, address common questions, and share research on how bilingual children use their languages. 

• HealthyChildren.org — Young Children Learning Multiple Languages: Parent FAQs 
• Code-Switching and Language Proficiency in Bilingual Children with and without Developmental Language Disorder 
• Code-Switching During Narratives by Bilingual Children with and without Developmental Language Disorder 

Families have different experiences, beliefs, and preferences when it comes to raising bilingual children. The languages families use may reflect their cultural backgrounds, relationships, and opportunities to communicate with others. 

The following resources explore family language choices, ways to support home languages, and research on families’ experiences raising bilingual children. 

• The Hanen Centre — Bilingualism in Young Children: Separating Fact from Fiction 
• University of Oxford — Raising a Bilingual Child 
• Californians Together — Supporting Your Child as a Dual Language Learner (English and Spanish) 
• HealthyChildren.org — Celebrating Heritage: Tips for Parents