Raising Siblings Bilingually: How to Support Each Child’s Language Journey
Raising more than one child to be bilingual is both a beautiful and challenging experience. Each child learns at a different pace, shows different interests, and requires unique support. While family routines often involve group activities, carving out time to focus on individual language development can make a big difference—especially when raising bilingual or multilingual kids.
Here are some practical and research-supported strategies to help parents guide each child’s language growth, inspired by insights from The Bilingual Edge by King & Mackey (2007).
Spend One-on-One Time with Each Child
It’s not always easy in busy households, but even a few minutes of individual time can support your child’s language learning. Whether it’s reading a short book, playing a game, or running errands together, this special time creates the perfect opportunity to focus on language. When older children are at school, parents can use that time to have more language-rich interactions with younger siblings.
Use Specific and Descriptive Language
Instead of saying, “Get that thing,” try using words like “Please hand me the blue book on the table.” Children benefit when adults model clear, descriptive vocabulary. Repeating and elaborating on what your child says also strengthens their comprehension and expressive skills.
For example:
Child: “Ball!”
Parent: “Yes, you have a big red ball. It bounces so high!”
These small moments build your child’s vocabulary in both their languages.
Respect Individual Learning Timelines
Not all children reach milestones at the same time, and that’s okay. If your younger child seems slower than their older sibling, don’t panic. Research shows that younger children typically catch up in the long run, especially when they are regularly exposed to meaningful language interactions.
Support—But Don’t Substitute—for Younger Children
It’s common for older siblings to act as translators for their younger brothers or sisters. While this can be helpful, it’s important to encourage each child to speak for themselves when possible. Letting younger children find their words builds their confidence and independence. At the same time, praising older children for modeling language skills can reinforce their positive involvement in their sibling’s development.
Trust Your Parenting Instincts
As a parent, you know your children better than anyone. If you sense that one of your children is significantly behind in language development, it’s perfectly okay to ask for professional guidance. Speech-language pathologists or early education specialists can offer assessments and support if needed. But in most cases, consistency, encouragement, and rich exposure will guide your children forward.
Make Language Learning Fun and Natural at Home
One of the best ways to support both individual and group learning is to use engaging resources that are designed for children of all ages. Tools like Dinolingo offer an excellent foundation for bilingual development at home. With over 50 language options, Dinolingo turns language learning into a fun adventure through songs, games, stories, and videos.
Children ages 2 to 14 can explore a new language at their own pace, while parents track their progress with the parent dashboard. Whether siblings are learning the same language or different ones, Dinolingo’s interactive and gamified platform makes learning enjoyable for everyone. It’s accessible on the web, iOS, and Android—and includes offline materials for screen-free practice time.
Final Thoughts
Each child has their own language learning rhythm. By being present, flexible, and responsive, you can help your children grow into confident bilingual speakers—together and individually. With supportive tools, thoughtful routines, and encouragement, your home can become a truly multilingual space.
Looking for a way to make language learning more joyful for your children? Try Dinolingo and explore a world of fun, interactive language lessons designed just for kids