Raising a Bilingual Child: A Speech-Language Pathologist’s Guide to Bilingual Language Development
By Emily Kaiser, M.S., CCC-SLP | Little Communicators PLLC
If you’re raising a bilingual child, you’ve probably heard advice like, “Speaking two languages will confuse your child,” or “Wait until they learn English first.” As a bilingual speech-language pathologist—and a bilingual parent myself—I can confidently tell you that these are some of the most common myths I hear from families.
I was fortunate to grow up speaking German and English, and I experienced firsthand how language connects us to family, culture, and identity. Today, I’m raising my own daughter to speak Spanish and English, and watching her develop two languages has made me appreciate even more how naturally children can become bilingual when they’re surrounded by meaningful communication.
At Little Communicators PLLC, I work with bilingual children and their families every day. My goal is to help parents feel confident supporting their child’s language development while preserving the languages that matter most to their family.
Does bilingualism cause speech delays?
The short answer is no.
Research over the past several decades has consistently shown that learning two or more languages does not cause speech or language delays. Bilingual children reach the same developmental milestones as monolingual children, although their vocabulary is spread across multiple languages.
For example, a child may know dog in English and perro in Spanish. If we only count one language, it might seem like they know fewer words. However, when we consider their total vocabulary across both languages, bilingual children typically have language skills comparable to monolingual peers.
Even children with developmental differences—including autism spectrum disorder, developmental language disorder (DLD), Down syndrome, or hearing loss—can successfully learn more than one language. Current evidence does not recommend dropping the home language simply because a child has a communication disorder.
Will my child get confused by hearing two languages?
No.
Young bilingual children often combine words from different languages in the same sentence. This is called code-switching, and it’s a completely normal part of bilingual language development.
Children may switch languages because:
They know a word in one language but not the other.
They’re speaking with someone who understands both languages.
One word comes to mind more quickly.
They’re still learning when each language is typically used.
Adults who speak multiple languages code-switch too! It’s a sign of flexible language skills—not confusion.
What’s the best way to raise a bilingual child?
One of the most common questions parents ask is whether they should use the “One Parent, One Language” (OPOL) approach.
The truth is that there isn’t one right method.
Research suggests that what matters most is:
Consistent exposure to both languages.
High-quality interactions.
Opportunities to use each language in meaningful situations.
Positive attitudes toward both languages.
Many successful bilingual families use different approaches, including:
One parent speaks English while the other speaks Spanish.
Everyone speaks the home language at home, with English learned at daycare or school.
Different activities are associated with different languages.
Family members naturally speak whichever language feels most comfortable.
The best bilingual strategy is the one that works for your family and can be maintained consistently over time.
Speak the language you know best
Parents sometimes worry that they should only speak English because they want their child to succeed in school.
In reality, children learn best from caregivers who communicate comfortably and naturally.
When you speak your strongest language, you’re able to:
Tell stories.
Express emotions.
Explain new ideas.
Teach family traditions.
Have richer conversations.
These meaningful interactions build language skills far more effectively than simplified or hesitant speech.
My child understands Spanish but only answers in English. Is that normal?
Yes!
Many bilingual children become stronger in the community language as they grow, especially after starting daycare or school.
A child may understand everything you say in Spanish while choosing to respond in English. This doesn’t mean they’re losing Spanish—it simply reflects which language is easier for them to express at that moment.
Instead of correcting them, continue modeling the language naturally.
For example:
Child: “I want more juice.”
Parent: “¡Claro! Aquí tienes más jugo.”
This keeps conversations enjoyable while providing rich language input.
Everyday ways to support bilingual language development
You don’t need expensive materials or structured lessons to raise a bilingual child.
Some of the best opportunities happen during everyday routines.
Try to:
Read books in both languages.
Sing songs and nursery rhymes.
Talk during meals, grocery shopping, and bath time.
Tell stories about your family and culture.
Encourage grandparents and relatives to speak the family language.
Play pretend games together.
Limit passive screen time and prioritize face-to-face conversation.
Children learn language through interaction—not memorization.
When should I be concerned?
Although bilingualism does not cause speech or language disorders, bilingual children can still have communication challenges.
Consider a bilingual speech-language evaluation if your child:
Has difficulty understanding language in both languages.
Rarely attempts to communicate.
Stops using words they previously knew.
Appears significantly behind developmental milestones in both languages.
Has speech that is difficult for familiar listeners to understand compared with other children their age.
A comprehensive evaluation should always consider all of the child’s languages, not just English.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it too late to raise my child bilingually?
No. While earlier exposure offers advantages, children can successfully learn a second language throughout childhood.
Should I stop speaking my home language if my child has a speech delay?
No. Current recommendations support maintaining the home language while addressing speech and language goals. Removing a family’s strongest language can reduce meaningful communication opportunities.
Can speech therapy be provided in two languages?
Absolutely. A bilingual speech-language pathologist can assess and support communication across both languages while helping families preserve their home language.
Final Thoughts
Growing up bilingual shaped who I am—not only personally, but professionally. Now, watching my daughter learn Spanish and English reminds me every day that bilingualism is about much more than vocabulary. It’s about family, relationships, culture, and belonging.
Whether your family speaks English and Spanish, German and English like mine, or any other combination of languages, know that you’re giving your child an incredible gift.
If you’re wondering whether your child’s communication skills are developing as expected or would like guidance on raising a bilingual child, I’d love to help.
Looking for a bilingual speech-language pathologist in Chicago?
Little Communicators PLLC provides bilingual English-Spanish speech and language evaluations, therapy, and parent coaching for young children and their families throughout the Chicago area.
Whether you’re concerned about a speech delay, language development, or simply want support raising a bilingual child, we’re here to help your child thrive in both languages.
Research Supporting Bilingual Language Development
Research over the past several decades consistently shows that bilingualism does not cause speech or language delays. In fact, children can successfully learn two or more languages from an early age, even if they have a speech or language disorder. Here are some of the leading resources that support these recommendations:
Byers-Heinlein, K., & Lew-Williams, C. (2013)
Bilingualism in the Early Years: What the Science Says. Trends in Cognitive Sciences.
This widely cited review summarizes decades of research and concludes that bilingual children are not more likely than monolingual children to experience language delays or disorders.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6168212/
Peña, E. D., Bedore, L. M., & Granados Vargas, A. (2023)
Exploring Assumptions of the Bilingual Delay in Children With and Without Developmental Language Disorder. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research.
This article challenges the common myth that bilingualism causes language delays and discusses how this misconception can delay appropriate diagnosis and intervention.
https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2023_JSLHR-23-00117
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Practice Portal: Spoken Language Disorders
ASHA emphasizes that multilingualism is not a cause of speech or language disorders and recommends evaluating children’s communication skills across all of their languages.
https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/spoken-language-disorders/
Guiberson, M. (2013)
Bilingual Myth-Busters Series: Language Confusion in Bilingual Children. The ASHA Leader.
This article explains why code-switching and mixing languages are normal parts of bilingual development and reviews evidence showing that bilingualism does not confuse children or cause language delays.
https://pubs.asha.org/doi/pdf/10.1044/cds20.1.5
Paradis, J. (2010)
The Interface Between Bilingual Development and Specific Language Impairment. Applied Psycholinguistics.
Dr. Johanne Paradis reviews the evidence demonstrating that bilingualism does not cause language disorders and discusses best practices for assessing bilingual children.
Key Takeaways from the Research
Bilingualism does not cause speech or language delays.
Mixing languages (code-switching) is a normal part of bilingual language development.
Children with autism, developmental language disorder (DLD), Down syndrome, hearing loss, and other developmental differences can successfully learn more than one language.
Parents should continue speaking the language(s) they are most comfortable using with their child.
Speech and language evaluations should assess all of a child’s languages to provide an accurate picture of their communication skills.