Hi Nafolan Fam,
I’ve realised that so many of you support this brand and I haven’t taken the time to thank you nor have I properly introduced myself to you.
My name is Mariama, mama to the most beautiful almost 2 year old (I’m biased yes I know 😜). He’s both Ghanaian (on his dad’s side) and Sierra Leonean (on my side) and he’s the reason I’m so passionate about preserving our cultural identity through language.
In today’s post, I’d like to go through 5 benefits of teaching your little one your native language. The list is by no means exhaustive but I’m sure you’ll agree these benefits are amazing!!!
Financial
Better employment opportunities in this country and overseas are available for individuals who are fluent in English and another language.
Intellectual
Bilingualism strengthens cognitive abilities - bilingual people tend to be more creative and flexible. They can be more open-minded, and they also find it easier to focus on a variety of tasks simultaneously.
Educational
Children who learn English and continue to develop their native language have higher academic achievement in later years than children who learn English at the expense of their first language.
Social
When the native language is not maintained, important links to family and other community members may be lost. By encouraging native language use, parents can prepare the child to interact with the native language community, both at home and overseas.
Personal
The child’s first language is critical to his or her identity. Maintaining this language helps the child value his or her culture and heritage, which contributes to a positive self-concept.
I hope this post has encourage you to keep teaching your little one more of and about your native tongue.
Te wi tɔk bak, kɔntinyu fɔ gɛt blɛsin (until we speak again, stay blessed)
Mariama
Source: intercultural development research association