The brain of a bilingual child organizes and processes language differently than the brain of a monolingual child.
So when working with these children it is especially important to have specific knowledge about their reality: Childhood Bilingualism.
 
From birth, babies react differently when hearing their native language and “unknown” languages. In the phase of language development where babbling begins, several studies show that adults from different countries are able to identify the sounds made by babies who will speak their same language.
 
EARLY SIMULTANEOUS BILINGUALISM occurs in a home where the child is exposed to more than one “native” language from day one.  Many of these families are bicultural; each parent is of a different origin and in addition to language, passes on a different culture.
In SINEWS we’ve been working with these families for years. They have taught us what we know and have inspired us to seek new and updated *assessment tools and treatment *.

• We have done extensive research in order to determine what a child’s dominant language is for different skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing ... as a result, we know which language needs reinforcement in each area.
  
  
• Sometimes language difficulties are attributed to bilingualism when this is not the case. We can diagnose these problems and offer an appropriate treatment plan to meet the child’s needs in each language.
  
  
• Families often just want clarification: When should a third language be introduced?, What should we do when one of our children suddenly stops responding to us in our native language despite being able to fully understand us?, Which language should our child start learning to read and write first?...  *We offer a consultation session on bilingualism to parents* (of an hour and a half duration) where we analyze the family situation and offer the best solutions.

However, increasingly, monolingual FAMILIES WITH SPANISH PARENTS are aware of the opportunities life offers to those who master other languages and these parents want their children to benefit.  Bilingual schools are a pathway to making the dream come true, but this alone is not enough. What is the best way to learn and master other languages?
 
The small-big questions that these families have and their interest in this language learning process have encouraged us to put together a *WORKSHOP ON BILINGUAL CHILDREN* that is offered throughout the course of the school year.
 
We also want to share what we know with everyone by answering your questions via an *ON-LINE CONSULTATION ON BILINGUALISM* in collaboration with the editorial Bilingual Readers. We encourage you to ask your questions!