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Does Early Head Start Teach English to Infants and Toddlers Whose Home Language is Not English If That is What the Family Wants?
Early Head Start Tip Sheet No. 43
  

This Tip Sheet offers considerations for supporting infants and toddlers who are dual language learners. The considerations serve as a useful guide for grantee and program administrators to help them support the home language and culture of each child they serve. Applicable Program Performance Standards and resources provide additional information.

 

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Response:

Early Head Start (EHS) is required to support the child's overall development by respecting and supporting the home language, culture, and family composition of each child. Programs, of course, provide families with information about language development and learning in two languages in order to make informed decisions.

Partnering with families to support language and communication development

Understanding the family's goals for language learning is crucial. Staff can demonstrate respect for the family's values by talking with them about their beliefs around maintaining their home language while at the same time, supporting English language development. Full text» [PDF, 54KB]

This Tip Sheet is not a regulatory document. Its intent is to provide a basis for dialogue, clarification, and problem solving among the Office of Head Start, Regional Offices, T & TA consultants, and grantees.

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See also:
    EHS Tip Sheets

Does Early Head Start Teach English to Infants and Toddlers Whose Home Language is Not English If That is What the Family Wants? Early Head Start Tip Sheet No. 43. HHS/ACF/OHS. English. 2010. [PDF, 54KB].

Last Reviewed: August 2010