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As the school year kicks off, many parents feel the pressure.
Will my child excel academically?
What about language skills?
Some might even think that a child needs to be a “genius” to truly succeed. Well, let me start by dismantling that myth! Drawing on insights from Adam Grant’s latest book, Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things, I'll share why success isn’t all about talent, especially when it comes to learning languages.
Whether your child is about to start school or you're raising a multilingual family, there’s good news: success isn’t determined by natural talent! The real key?
Nurturing your child's hidden potential.
Introduction
The Myth of Natural Genius
Let’s be honest: as a society, we’re obsessed with genius. From child prodigies like Mozart, composing at five, to Tiger Woods swinging a golf club at two, we often link early brilliance with future success. But is that the whole story?
When people hear that my kids are raised to be trilingual, they often assume my children must be incredibly smart. Here’s the truth: there’s nothing "genius" about them (well, to me and my husband, they are!). What matters isn’t natural talent, but a consistent effort to unlock their potential.
Raising Multilingual Children: It’s Not About IQ
One of the most common misconceptions I encounter is that children need to be exceptionally smart to become fluent in multiple languages.
In reality, the skills needed for success, including language learning, can be developed in any child. Adam Grant, an organisational psychologist, explains that success is less about inherent talent and more about adaptability and resilience. He even argues that child prodigies might struggle with failure later in life, as they haven’t had the chance to build up their resilience.
So, instead of focusing on IQ or “natural” genius, Grant suggests parents focus on two things: nurturing adaptability and embracing the idea of multiple paths to success (a concept he calls equifinality).
Adam Grant’s Insights on Success and Language Learning
Grant’s principles apply beautifully to language learning. His focus on adaptability and the concept of different routes to success are incredibly useful when raising bilingual or multilingual children. Just like in life, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to language fluency.
Now, let’s dive into some practical tips inspired by these insights that can help you nurture your child’s language-learning journey.
Tip 1: Let Your Child Set the Pace
Not all children develop at the same pace. This is especially true for language learning. Multilingual children might not show fluency right away, and that’s okay! Some are late bloomers. Even monolingual kids vary in how early they begin speaking. The important thing is to provide a supportive environment and stay patient. Trust the process and encourage them to use their languages, even if it’s imperfect at first.
Tip 2: Avoid the Perfection Trap
In the journey of bilingual parenting, it’s so easy to fall into the perfection trap. I know this firsthand! At times, I’d feel proud of my children’s progress, only to doubt myself after seeing another child’s flawless command of a language.
Let’s be real: comparing your child to others or striving for perfection only leads to frustration. Instead, celebrate each milestone, no matter how small. Focus on progress over perfection and remember: language learning is a journey, not a race!
Tip 3: The Importance of Mentors
Did you have a mentor or teacher growing up who truly believed in you? Adam Grant highlights how vital mentors can be in unlocking a child’s potential. This could be a teacher, a bilingual babysitter, or even a language exchange partner. These mentors offer support, encouragement, and a passion for learning. And don’t forget: as parents, we too can act as our children’s biggest mentors!
Tip 4: Nurture Adaptability
Think back two years – did you know much about AI then? And today? It’s everywhere! The world is changing rapidly, and adaptability is more crucial than ever. According to Adam Grant, adaptability is one of the core skills that successful people share. Teaching our children to adapt to change will prepare them for success in both school and life.
In language learning, adaptability means exploring different ways to practise—be it through music, games, or cultural experiences. Encouraging this kind of flexibility helps children thrive both in language acquisition and in life.
Tip 5: There Are Multiple Routes to Fluency
We often grow up thinking there’s only one route to success: study hard, get good grades, land a stable job, and retire. But life is far more complex than that! The same goes for language learning. Some kids may learn through formal education, others through immersive experiences like travel, and others through a mix of both.
This is where Grant’s equifinality comes in—there are many paths to the same outcome. Your child will find their own unique way to fluency, and that’s okay! There’s no “right” way to become multilingual. Celebrate their journey, wherever it takes them.
Conclusion: Unlocking Hidden Potential
As we begin this school year, let’s focus less on talent and more on nurturing the hidden potential in every child. With the right encouragement and mindset, our children can achieve amazing things, not just in language learning but in every aspect of life.
And that’s the end of our back-to-school mini-series! If you found this blog helpful, check out my book Bilingual and Trilingual Parenting 101 for more in-depth advice!
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