Want to help your children learn and maintain their mother tongue? Here are three effective things you can do each day in a dual-language home

Here are three effective things you can do each day in a dual-language home to help your children learn and maintain their mother tongue:

1. Designate “Mother Tongue Time” Daily

Set aside a consistent time each day where only the mother tongue is spoken—during meals, bedtime routines, or playtime. The key is consistency and immersion.

Example:

Dinner conversations are always in the mother tongue.

2. Read Books and Tell Stories in the Mother Tongue

During bath time or story time, only use the mother tongue.

Read age-appropriate books or tell traditional stories in your mother tongue. It enriches vocabulary and connects children to their cultural roots.

Example:

Read a short book aloud before bed.

3. Tell a family or cultural story with expressive language and emotion.

Use Music, Games, and Media in the Mother Tongue
Songs, games, and videos in the mother tongue make learning fun and natural. They also expose kids to authentic pronunciation and expressions.

Example:

Play a traditional children’s song or rhyme each morning.

Use a simple board game and give instructions in the mother tongue.