Five reasons to Learn a New Language- Chinese

1. Communicate in the most widely spoken language

Chinese Language’s importance stands out as the most spoken and the most difficult language to learn. Interestingly this language is spoken by one in six people in the world(1). And to learn a difficult language such as Chinese, you need a powerful learning gadget. When you introduce your child to the world of Chinese through ROYBI, the bilingual toy robot, you enable them access to a language that more than a billion people worldwide are communicating in. 

2. Socialize better

Humans are social and chatty by nature. As soon as we are born, our first instinct is to communicate with the environment. Although the medium might change later, communication is here to stay in one’s life. These communication types require language to transport a message from one person to another. Learning a new language goes hand in hand with expanding the social circle and interacting with diverse people.

3. Catch them young, watch them grow

Introducing your child to another language at a very young age has its perks. From the age of 3-7, their brains are incredibly receptive. They are like sponges that absorb everything that comes their way. They use their visual and verbal senses in the early stages of learning, and Chinese is one such language that is dominant with patterns, tones, and sounds (2). That is also why learning Chinese is said to strengthen musical skills (3). The lack of grammatical complexity makes Chinese a more straightforward language. And the fact that language learning develops cognitive skills and opens up new areas of the brain says a lot about how learning a difficult language at a very young age helps the child in improved brain function.

4. Develop brain and motor skills

The Chinese language uses both the left and right sides of the brain. There are numerous differences in learning Chinese compared to learning the English language. Working with both sides of the brain in the developmental stage will help develop motor skills and visual recognition abilities that keep their mind sharp. Multitasking is a skill that requires a keen brain, and those not used to it don’t do it well. According to a Pennsylvania State University study (4), individuals who can speak multiple languages are proficient at switching from one language system to another. Thus, providing their brains with more exercise helps them multitask better and reduce stress levels.

5. It is more than a language

The language is the face of any culture, and the Chinese language opens doors to a deeper understanding of their rich 5,000-year-old Chinese history, culture, and literature. As a matter of fact, the earliest findings of writing were in Chinese characters. Introducing your child to a culture with so many stories in itself is a gift that will reward them in their future endeavors. Needless to mention that Chinese culture is also famous for creating beautiful art and writing.

References 

1. The 10 Most Spoken Languages In The World (babbel.com)
2. Mandarin Chinese is often described as a tonal language, which means that the pitch contour of the voice while saying a syllable is a distinctive feature that differentiates words in the language. For this study, a native speaker of Mandarin Chinese spok (lawrence.edu)
3. Mandarin makes you more musical? — ScienceDaily
4. Being bilingual may delay Alzheimer’s and boost brain power | Neuroscience | The Guardian