In this edition of Speaking Koshur, we would like to talk about importance of Mother Tongue – Kashmiri Language and encouraging children to speak in their mother tongue at an early age of life so that they pick up the language fast.
A toddlers first attempt is to make a sound of an understandable word is considered as an achievement. Kids can be involved in reading and writing when they are 4 or more years of age. However, child’s vocabulary expands from about 200 words at the age of 2 years to 20,000 words by the age of 6 and those words are the ones which the child will use to communicate. Apart from 20,000 words a child is capable of learning more than 4 languages at the same time. With this capacity of the child’s brain and learning skills it is important to inculcate the significance of the mother tongue in the early childhood.
We are very particular, that our kids should learn English, being a universal language, as a Primary language so that they are able to communicate and express themselves in the external world. However, we forget that we can also teach him his Kashmiri at the same time. With the good language foundation, the kids will get a good start in developing language and literacy abilities. Literacy skills involves four skills – listening, speaking, reading, and writing. And those skills can be inculcated in stages one after the other. Listening and Speaking is one of the important aspects of making a child learn a language.
Environment around a child play a contributory role in a child’s readiness for language and literacy development. If the environment at home is always inclined towards a foreign language, a child can never develop his connect with Kashmiri. It is fine to expose a child to multiple language; don’t keep his mother tongue – Kashmiri, aside as if it doesn’t matter, STRIKE A BALANCE. If your child doesn’t understand Kashmiri Language, it will be difficult for him to follow heritage and rituals of the family and even difficult for him to communicate with elders in the family – reason being Lack of Connect.
Have a language learning corner at home. While reading a book, translate the same in mother tongue so that the child starts developing the interest in his Mother Tongue while learning the foreign language. This method is used in various schools where they teach two language (say, English and Chinese) at the same time; and it works.
The interest of the language can be developed in various ways. Rewards and appreciation always work. Ask questions, accept answers, play puzzles, singing rhymes or telling stories. A child can learn any language that is being taught in school however the strong foundation of Kashmiri Language has to be laid only at home and at early stages.
We should strive to give our child a good start in mother tongue literacy skill regardless of the environment or the place where we are in. Use the art of questioning to strengthen child’s thinking and communication skills in Kashmiri. You can use this technique to develop their love for our language, culture and roots.
Remember, a child can pickup any language when they hear it frequently around them. So the more we talk in Kashmiri, faster the child will pick the language. Avoid baby talks and speak with them directly and wait for them to respond.
Set a good example, if your child will see you Talking and Respecting your Mother Tongue – Kashmiri Language; he will definitely inherit the same attitude towards Kashmiri. Perseverance of Language and Heritage is all in your hands.
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