Parents who decide to raise their children to a multilingual education may encounter a challenge when selecting the second language. Even though English is the most widespread language and seems to be easy for acquisition due to its presence in school, media, and in everyday communication, learning a heritage language such as Malayalam adds a personal touch to a child’s language acquisition process. Speaking Malayalam enables children to communicate with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives in their native language as well. Therefore, for Malayali parents who live away from their homeland – either outside Kerala or India, teaching their children Malayalam will enable better communication with relatives and preserve ties to their cultural roots.

Besides, acquiring a new language in the early years is not another assignment for a child. Instead, language acquisition may be a fun and easy part of a daily routine of talking, reading books, listening to songs and rhymes. Hence, speaking the new language can be an organic part of the child’s daily activities without feeling like an additional lesson. Thus, among numerous languages, what are the reasons to teach your child Malayalam as a second language? This blog explores the answer to this question by looking at five key reasons why Malayalam can be a meaningful and valuable language for your child to learn.

1. It Keeps Your Child Rooted to Family and Culture

By learning Malayalam, one can keep their kids connected to their roots. Your child can converse with their grandparents confidently and not rely on their parents to translate for them. They can understand the meaning behind stories and traditions peculiar to your family. Their knowledge and comprehension of the local holiday – be it Onam, Vishu or even the silly lullabies and proverbs peculiar to your mother – will give them an inexplicable sense of belonging, no matter where in the world they are.

2. Early Language Learning is Good for the Developing Brain

While it is true that it is never too late to learn a new language, children below the age of 10 have a unique language learning ability. Knowing two languages, especially one that is phonetically different from the language that they are used to (English) can give your child an intellectual edge. There have been studies that prove the cognitive capacity, attention span, memory power and focus of bilingual kids to be higher than average. So, by choosing to learn Malayalam for beginners at a younger age to make your child fluent in Malayalam, you are taking the first step in providing them with immense intellectual benefits while they are still in the ‘toddler’ stage of language learning.

3. Malayalam Script is Great Practice for Fine Motor Skills

The Malayalam script is beautifully intricate. It provides the perfect medium for stimulating your child’s mind as well as working on their motor skills. The formation and identification of the various letters and symbols will keep your child engrossed for hours together. A child’s interest in learning a mother tongue is easily piqued and the satisfaction of practicing and perfecting a new alphabetic script and phonetics can provide a sense of accomplishment and boost self-esteem in kids.

4. A Language Makes You Feel Confident and Secure

Your child will feel confident in their own skin knowing that they can communicate with their relatives back home in a language they are fluent in. Children who have been exposed to and taught their mother tongue feel a sense of pride and belonging. This psychological advantage translates into a child’s overall confidence and comfort in communicating with you, their grandparents and even their cousins in Kerala. A child’s confidence and sense of belonging are vital to social development; language is the key that can unlock a lifetime of comfort and security.

5. Learning Malayalam Has Never Been More Accessible

Only a few years ago, your child would have had to rely solely on family members or even local teachers to learn Malayalam. You would have had to take them along for regular language classes, no matter how inconvenient the location. Today, your child has a lot of online options to aid language learning and practice. By learning Malayalam Online, not only can they get one-to-one tutoring in the comfort of your home, but the sessions can also be customized to your child’s unique needs and preferences. You don’t have to stress over your child’s age or proficiency level – they can pick up the language at their own pace, from the comfort of your living room.

A Language Rooted in Heritage, Designed for Kids

Malayalam provides immeasurable benefits to kids, including an intellectual edge, development of fine motor skills and an innate sense of self-worth and belonging. The best part? Anyone can do it, at any age. At Akshharam, we make learning Malayalam simple, engaging, and accessible through live online classes designed for children. Through fun-filled live online classes, expert teachers, and personalized lesson plans, we ensure that children find learning Malayalam interesting and enjoyable.

So, if you’ve been waiting for the right moment to begin your child’s language learning journey, this is it!