Regardless of how you feel about it, one thing is certain: America is on her way to becoming a bilingual nation. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are now nearly 40 million Spanish speakers in the United States alone. In fact, there are more Spanish speakers in America than in any other country in the world! Rather than be upset by this change, there are some proactive and positive steps you can take to ensure either your or your family’s future in the coming bilingual America. One of them involves getting you or your children involved with bilingual education as early as possible. There are many homeschool Spanish and preschool Spanish programs that are designed to teach young children Spanish while their minds are still receptive to learning new languages.

Why Bilingual Education?

According to the Summer Institute of Linguistics, more than two-thirds of the world?s children are bilingual; in America, however, only 17% of the total population speaks a second language in addition to English. That’s why it’s vital to expose your children to other languages as soon as possible. Take advantage of the critical time in early development when acquiring language skills comes naturally and easily. A child?s capacity to pronounce unfamiliar, foreign sounds and to absorb new grammar rules is highly enhanced prior to age six. The earlier you introduce your child to a foreign language the better; it seems that before the age of 10 is ideal, or even before the age of 5, if possible. There are even many programs that provide Spanish for preschoolers! It’s never to early to prepare your child for a bilingual life. What are the benefits of bilingual education?

Better Career Prospects

It’s been proven that bilingual employees earn, on average, 20 percent more per hour than monolingual employees. By exposing your child to Spanish early, or even enrolling them in Spanish for preschoolers, you are making a vital investment in your child’s financial future. Soon, all jobs could require some degree of Spanish; by helping your child learn it early, you are setting them up for a life of full career potential.

A Sharper Mind

There are countless educational and intellectual benefits to exposing children to a 2nd language as early as possible. Children who speak a 2nd language have been proven to be able to learn a 3rd language faster than children who did not learn a 2nd language. By enrolling your child in a Spanish for preschoolers program, you are helping them develop linguistic skills that will benefit them for life.

Broader Cultural Understanding

A Spanish curriculum for kids not only teaches children the Spanish language, but also exposes them to different cultural values and ideas that can benefit them for life. As the world becomes “smaller” due to modern communication and transportation technologies, intercultural understanding is more important than ever for success in a global economy. Preschool Spanish lessons can help your child develop an appreciation for cultural diversity that will provide lifelong benefits.

If you’re serious about your child’s future, look into your area’s options for Spanish for preschoolers before it’s too late.