Full course description
This is a fully online, self-paced, asychronous course.
Imagine you're a dedicated provider, eager to help a multilingual child and their family thrive. You want to do what's best for them, but you're unknowingly influenced by common myths and misunderstandings that could limit your ability to truly connect. Perhaps you assume that language barriers are the main obstacle, or that bilingualism is a disadvantage to a child’s development. These well-meaning misconceptions can unintentionally create challenges in your work. In this module, we’ll explore how these myths shape your approach, and how you can break through them to provide more effective, culturally responsive care to multilingual families.
The focus of this module is to break down the many myths regarding multilingual development. Although professionals are often well-intentioned, some practices perpetuate ideas that harm children and their families. You’ll begin with a review of typical language development and expected patterns of multilingual acquisition. Next, you’ll extend this knowledge by reading an article on common myths and misunderstandings in early childhood settings. This article is complemented by a pre- and post-reflective assessment to look at your existing knowledge. To add resources to your professional toolbox, you’ll visit the CDC’s developmental milestone tracker. This is an accessible tool for both professionals and families to access and help guide conversations with providers. To wrap up, you will self-reflect on these myths and supportive practices for working with young children.