Raising a Bilingual Child? Here’s What You Need to Know About Speech Development
In today’s multicultural families, many children grow up learning two or more languages. This is a gift—but it often comes with questions. Parents frequently ask:
“Is my child behind in speech because they’re learning two languages?”
“Should I stick to one language at home?”
“When should I worry about a speech delay?”
Let’s clear up common myths about bilingualism and speech delays—and help you know when to seek support from a speech-language pathologist (SLP).
How Bilingual Speech Development Works
Bilingual or multilingual children follow similar developmental patterns as monolingual children, but they may:
- Mix words or grammar rules across languages
- Start talking slightly later (but still within the typical range)
- Have smaller vocabularies in each language, but a large combined vocabulary
This is completely normal and not a sign of delay.
What’s Normal in Bilingual Speech Development?
✅ Mixing languages when speaking (code-switching)
✅ Speaking more in one language than another
✅ Using gestures while learning vocabulary
✅ Temporary pauses when retrieving the right word
✅ Understanding more than they can say (receptive strength)
These are expected and often temporary as the child’s brain organizes both language systems.
When Bilingualism Is NOT the Cause — Red Flags to Watch
While bilingualism itself doesn’t cause speech delay, here are signs that may signal a need for professional evaluation:
🚩 No words in either language by 16–18 months
🚩 Difficulty understanding language or simple instructions
🚩 Little to no progress in vocabulary after age 2
🚩 Trouble forming 2–3 word phrases by age 2.5
🚩 Limited interaction or social engagement (e.g., not responding to name, avoiding eye contact)
🚩 Strangers cannot understand your child after age 3
If these signs appear in both languages, it may indicate a true speech or language delay rather than typical bilingual development.
Can Bilingual Children Be Accurately Assessed?
Yes—and they should be.
At Speech Therapy Centre of Canada, our SLPs are trained to assess children who speak multiple languages. We look at:
- Combined vocabulary across both languages
- Receptive vs. expressive language
- Language exposure at home, school, and community
- Cultural context and family goals
We never recommend “dropping” a language. Instead, we help support balanced growth in both.
Supporting Bilingual Development at Home
- Keep speaking your native language—children thrive with a strong language foundation
- Read books in both languages, or tell stories from your culture
- Watch shows or listen to music in the second language to build exposure
- Don’t worry if your child mixes words—it’s a sign of growth, not confusion
- Speak in short, clear sentences and give your child time to respond
Why Choose Speech Therapy Centre of Canada
We understand that every family—and every child—is unique. That’s why we offer inclusive, culturally sensitive care for bilingual and multilingual families.
Here’s how we support you:
- SLPs experienced in multilingual language development
- Speech therapy in other languages
- Family education to reduce stress and build confidence
- Flexible virtual sessions across Ontario
Welcoming clinics in Richmond Hill and Ajax
Book a Consultation Today
🏥 Locations: Richmond Hill & Ajax
💻 Virtual Speech Therapy: Available across Ontario
📞 Phone: 905‑886‑5941
📧 Email: info@speechtherapycentres.com
🌐 Website: speechtherapycentres.com
Let’s give your child the tools to express themselves with confidence. Book your first appointment today.
The Speech Therapy Centres of Canada is a team of dedicated speech-language pathologists (commonly known as S-LPs or speech therapists) and speech-language pathology assistants (S-LPAs) who provide assessment and therapy services to children and adults with communication disorders. Our S-LPS, S-LPAs and support staff are truly committed to providing the highest quality of service to our clients and their families. We understand that navigating the world of speech therapy may be daunting so our client services team is prepared to help you every step of the way.
