The Cognitive Advantages of Early Language Learning

At YingHua International School, we strongly believe that early exposure to a second language offers profound and multifaceted benefits. In this post, we will focus on one of the most important advantages: enhanced cognitive development.

We all strive to give our children the best chance for success in life. Many parents go to great lengths to provide their children with perceived advantages through educational investments, extracurricular activities, and technology-based learning tools. According to The NPD Group, global sales of educational toys, including STEM-related kits and early literacy products, exceeded $30 billion in 2022. 

The reality is that you can’t teach your 18-month-old baby physics, coding, or even how to read. So, what can you do? You can introduce them to a second language! Research consistently shows that bilingualism enhances cognitive abilities, especially when introduced at an early age. Early exposure to a second language through immersion strengthens problem-solving skills, memory, and multitasking abilities. Here’s how:

• Executive Function: Early bilingualism strengthens the prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for executive functions such as problem-solving, multitasking, and self-control.
• Increased Grey Matter Density: Research indicates that bilingual children have increased grey matter density in regions of the brain associated with language processing and executive control.
• Neural Efficiency: Regular switching between languages optimizes neural pathways, making the brain more efficient in processing and managing information.
• Neurogenesis: Engaging in bilingual activities early may stimulate the growth of new neurons and connections, contributing to a more resilient brain.
• Corpus Callosum Development: Bilingualism promotes growth in the corpus callosum, the bundle of nerves connecting the brain's two hemispheres. This supports better coordination between hemispheres.
• Hippocampal Growth: The hippocampus, critical for memory, shows increased activity and size in bilingual individuals, aiding in better recall and information processing.

Studies have shown that students in immersion programs often outperform their peers in non-immersion settings, not only in language skills but also in subjects like math and reading. The cognitive benefits of bilingualism, combined with the discipline and focus required in an immersive environment, translate to better overall academic outcomes.

Want to read more?  Check out these articles or Google your own.  The evidence is overwhelming!

Gracia-Tabuenca, Z., Barbeau, E.B., Kousaie, S. et al. Enhanced efficiency in the bilingual brain through the inter-hemispheric cortico-cerebellar pathway in early second language acquisition. Commun Biol 7, 1298 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-06965-1 

Voits, T., Robson, H., Rothman, J., & Pliatsikas, C. (2022). The effects of bilingualism on hippocampal volume in ageing bilinguals. Brain structure & function, 227(3), 979–994. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-021-02436-z