One reason people consider an au pair for their childcare needs is the opportunity for their kids to be exposed to a foreign language, and this is a great idea. Research has shown that children who are exposed to a second language early in life (before age 9) develop into adults who use even their first language with more skill. Having a caregiver who speaks a different language than the parents is enough to give children immense educational benefits. Children who study a second language do better in school and beyond. I’ll let the Minnesota Department of Education tell you:
“Studies show that language learning improves cognitive development, develops transferable reading skills, reinforces other subjects, and develops cultural literacy and appreciation and understanding for diversity. Studies have also shown that students who learn a second language are better problems solvers and score higher on state standardized assessments, SAT and ACT tests.”
I know most of the people reading this are thinking more about kindergarten readiness than the SAT test. Parents often consider cognitive aspects as the most important parts of being ready for formal schooling, but kindergarten teachers consider communication and social skills equally important, and again, having an au pair can help children develop all of these important skills. Many au pairs include academic learning in their daily interactions, from reading to children in their own language to using measuring cups to bake a treat from home. In-home childcare is naturally built around each child’s specific interests and needs, so children are more engaged in what’s going on.
Having an au pair can be a wonderful childcare solution for many families for many reasons, from flexibility and affordability to school readiness. With our experience as the nation’s oldest au pair agency, we strive to provide each family with the care they need. If you are interested, please go to our website, www.aupairinamerica.com, for more information. We are currently running a promotion for new host families. If you apply before October 15th, you will save $250 on the match fee and also have the application fee waived, so now is a great time to check us out!