Want to raise a bilingual child? Whether you are an expat or not, in a mixed-culture relationship or not, it is possible to raise your child in two (or more) languages, and the benefits you will pass on to your child are significant. But how do you go about it?

Today Katy sits down with British mum Kristie Prada, author and creator of the blog Mamma Prada. She and her Italian husband live in the UK and are serious about raising their children to speak both languages flawlessly. In her effort to do just that, she has become an expert on childhood bilingualism, and shares that knowledge onto her blog.

On this episode, Kristie shares her favorite resources for raising children in two language, the most interesting of which is double-language book series by One Third Stories. Instead of presenting the two languages side by side, these books introduce foreign words into the text slowly, until they eventually take over. Before you know it, your child is reading an entire book in a second language! She also shares the brilliant idea of teaching your child about the other country and its culture as a way of piquing his or her interest in the language (instead of the other way around), and offers tips and tricks for staying strong when your older child resists the minority language.

If bilingualism is something you want for your child, this is the episode for you!

This episode also features a bonus appearance by none other than Tiffany’s son Aurelio, who offers a peek into the mind of a bilingual toddler, and answers Katy’s hard-hitting questions, such as, “What does a cow say?”

You can also find Kristie Prada on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPONSOR THE SHOW: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. 

DONATE: Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email at [email protected].

You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram – Better yet, tag #thebittersweetlife with your story for a chance to be featured!

NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET

SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode.

WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us.

BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon.

TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide! 

 

©Web and show content can only be used