Bilingualism in the early years is a powerful concept at Britannica International School, particularly within the Early Years department. Children are often likened to sponges, soaking up language from their surroundings. It is crucial for adults, caregivers, and educators to ensure that children absorb developmentally appropriate language. During early childhood, children’s brains exhibit high plasticity, allowing for rapid adaptation. Learning two languages helps create complex neural pathways, enhancing cognitive abilities.
At Britannica, we recognise the importance of bilingual and multilingual learners. Bilingualism, the ability to fluently use two languages, offers numerous benefits. Bilingual families foster strong connections with extended relatives, promote community engagement, and help children appreciate their cultural heritage, which is vital for shaping personal identity. Children aged zero to five learning two languages are known as Dual Language Learners (DLL). DLLs typically acquire language through relationships with caregivers and peers. High-quality interactions and meaningful programming in both languages are essential for their development. Young DLLs may learn languages simultaneously or sequentially, influenced by factors such as timing and exposure. Each child’s personality, motivations, and interests also play significant roles in their language journey.
Research shows that developing two languages provides social-emotional advantages, such as improved self-control and the ability to form friendships in a second language. Cognitive benefits include enhanced executive functioning, better focus, and improved logical reasoning. Early literacy skills are also enriched, allowing for the transfer of knowledge between languages.
The UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum underpins our approach at Britannica, and within this framework Communication and Language, Literacy, and Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) are central areas where bilingualism flourishes. Children are encouraged to listen attentively, express themselves clearly, and develop their vocabulary through stories, songs, and role play—skills that can be strengthened in more than one language. The curriculum also values the child’s cultural capital, recognising the richness that bilingual and multilingual experiences bring to their learning journey. By embedding bilingual practice within the EYFS curriculum, we ensure that children have opportunities to develop confidence, resilience, and creativity. They are supported in making connections between languages, transferring phonological awareness, and building strong foundations for early literacy.
Alongside this, we embrace the Curiosity Approach in our Early Years classrooms. This approach values authentic, open-ended resources, calm and inspiring environments, and child-led exploration. For bilingual learners, the Curiosity Approach is especially powerful as it creates natural opportunities for communication in different languages when children collaborate, role-play, and investigate the world around them. Children are encouraged to share their home languages within play, using real-life materials and meaningful contexts. For example, setting up a market stall or family kitchen in the role-play area allows children to naturally switch between languages, supporting both fluency and confidence. By celebrating diversity and valuing each child’s cultural background, the Curiosity Approach helps children see themselves as capable, unique individuals who are part of a wider global community.
To support DLL children, parents can provide resources in the second language, such as books and music, and engage in community activities. At Britannica, we encourage families to maintain their home language while embracing English as the language of school life. This dual commitment not only supports language development but also nurtures children’s identity, belonging, and wellbeing. By integrating the EYFS curriculum with the Curiosity Approach, we provide a holistic and inspiring environment for bilingualism to thrive. Together with families, we aim to equip children with critical thinking skills, rich vocabulary, and a love of communication—cultivating global citizens who are confident, curious, and ready to navigate an interconnected world.
The Reception children enjoyed sharing their holiday experiences with their friends. It is always wonderful for them to talk about their adventures and to see pictures from different places around the world. Thank you to the families who kindly sent in holiday photos. This week we have begun learning about families and have been reading Owl Babies. We have encouraged the children to use full sentence structures such as “This is my …” or “I like to … with my family.” In mathematics, the children are exploring different representations of the numbers 1, 2 and 3. They have been matching verbal number names to numerals and quantities, counting objects in different arrangements, and carefully touching each item as they count.
In Nursery, we had a wonderful time hearing all about the children’s holiday adventures. Thank you to everyone who shared photos, these provided a lovely opportunity for the children to show their pictures and tell their stories with great pride. This week we started reading The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, and it was amazing to see how captivated the children are by the tale. Together, we are learning new descriptive words to bring the characters and settings to life, which enriches the children’s vocabulary and inspiring imaginative play.
Pre-Nursery children eagerly began exploring My Big Backyard, focusing on seeds, soil, bugs in the dirt, and the joy of planting. They had a delightful experience of planting their own bean seeds and have enjoyed spending more time in our Eco Garden. Our story of the week, Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert, sparked curiosity about the colours of flowers and seeds. The vibrant illustrations encouraged the children to notice the beauty of nature and talk about the different colours and shapes found in our gardens. It has been a week full of discovery, hands-on learning, and joyful exploration as the children embraced the wonders of the natural world.
