In today’s increasingly globalized world, teaching children more than one language is one of the most valuable gifts we can offer. Fabiola Imamura, a mother in a multicultural household, has been on this journey with her son Jake. While Jake is comfortable with Portuguese, learning Japanese—his father’s native language—has proven to be a more complex challenge, particularly when both parents haven’t equally prioritized encouraging its use at home.

Fabiola’s story isn’t an isolated one. In our first podcast season, Luana shared the difficulties of balancing her daughters’ exposure to Portuguese while living in an English-speaking country, where maintaining a connection to their heritage language felt like a constant struggle.

Now, as we gear up for the second season of our podcast, premiering in March, we’re thrilled to announce a special episode featuring Fabiola. She’ll dive deeper into her journey, revealing how she’s been fostering Jake’s connection to Japanese, despite the challenges and the lack of continuous support.

The Power of Exposure and Encouragement

Fabiola’s experience is a reminder that nurturing bilingualism isn’t just about learning words—it’s about creating opportunities for constant exposure and active encouragement. Even when things get tough, her determination to make Japanese a part of Jake’s life underscores the resilience and creativity parents need in multicultural settings.

Tips for Parents Raising Bilingual Children

For parents who are raising multilingual children, here are a few tried-and-true strategies that can help:

1. Consistency is Key: Incorporate both languages into daily routines, whether it’s speaking different languages during meals, reading bedtime stories, or playing games that involve multiple languages.

2. Create an Enriched Environment: Make language learning fun by using books, music, and movies in both languages. Kids will absorb vocabulary naturally when they enjoy the experience.

3. Cultural Immersion: Celebrate holidays, festivals, and traditions from both cultures. Bringing culture into the home fosters a deeper connection to both the language and the heritage behind it.

4. Patience and Persistence: Remember, language learning is a long-term process. Progress might be slow, but persistence will pay off in the long run. Celebrate the small victories, whether it’s your child using new words or showing interest in a cultural activity.

Conclusion

Raising bilingual children in a multicultural household is no small feat, but the benefits far outweigh the challenges. Parents like Fabiola and Luana are giving their children the priceless gift of understanding multiple cultures and languages—skills that will serve them well as they grow into global citizens. In the upcoming podcast episode, Fabiola will share more about how she navigates these challenges, offering insights and strategies that can inspire families everywhere.

Are you raising bilingual kids? We’d love to hear about your experiences—share your stories in the comments, and don’t forget to tune in for our March episode featuring Fabiola’s in-depth journey!