BILINGUALISM HELPS TO IMPROVE CHILDREN’S COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Аннотация:

The article is devoted to the importance of bilingualism in learning a foreign language. There is a significant influence of bilingualism on the development of children’s cognitive skills and abilities. In addition, it is mentioned that bilingualism helps one to increase his critical and creative thinking which may aid a learner to learn a language effectively and easily. There are given some examples of how bilingualism can have a positive effect on language improvement and children education. Bilingualism plays a significant role in enhancing children's cognitive development. Research shows that children who are exposed to two or more languages at an early age develop superior cognitive abilities compared to their monolingual peers. Bilingual children often exhibit improved executive functions, such as problem-solving, attention control, and task-switching. The process of switching between languages strengthens the brain’s cognitive flexibility, fostering better memory retention and multitasking skills. Moreover, bilingualism enhances metalinguistic awareness, which helps children understand the structure of language more profoundly. This ability to think in multiple languages not only contributes to better academic performance but also helps children develop stronger social skills. Despite the challenges bilingual children might face in terms of language acquisition, the long-term cognitive benefits outweigh the initial difficulties, making bilingualism a valuable asset in their cognitive and academic growth.