Where can I find information/legitimate studies on the pros and cons of bilingual preschool?

[Anonymous]

Neither DH nor I speak a second language so it will not be supported at home. DD is 22 months and we are looking at various preschool options in our area (not DC) for her education (obviously) as well as a feeder/preparation to private elementary schools as our public schools are not good. We are interested in knowing if bilingual education limits the time spent on learning skills that DD might need to get into a good K-8 school.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

If you don't speak another language and are not going to send your child to a bilingual elementary school I wouldn't bother then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't speak another language and are not going to send your child to a bilingual elementary school I wouldn't bother then.

OP here. One bilingual elementary school is on our list but not our first choice school.

[Anonymous]

There are only pros to sending a toddler to bilingual preschool, OP. Since the movement in preschool is all play-based now, playing in a new language is "mind-expanding" whether your child pursues the language or not.

[Anonymous]

Google Scholar and ERIC, the education research database are good sources.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0885200695900179

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=1917412&fileId=S0305000907008604

http://lingref.com/isb/4/004ISB4.PDF

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8598396&fileId=S1366728911000356

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are only pros to sending a toddler to bilingual preschool, OP. Since the movement in preschool is all play-based now, playing in a new language is "mind-expanding" whether your child pursues the language or not.

+ 1000

[Anonymous]

We're putting our DD in Russian language only preschool. They still do academics like learning the alphabet (albeit in the Russian alphabet), counting, basic math. But it's preschool so there is also circle time, music and movement and arts and crafts. We're sending her their to reinforce a language she hears at home not necessarily to give her a leg up on a competitive elementary private school. So rigorous academics weren't our focus.

I'm not sure I would put DD in a bilingual school if she wasn't going to get language reinforcement at home.

[Anonymous]

There are some good Mexican studies on this, but unfortunately they are only published in Spanish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are some good Mexican studies on this, but unfortunately they are only published in Spanish.

If only I had gone to bilingual preschool myself! I would have been able to read this!

[Anonymous]

I'm just gonna go ahead and say I think you are overthinking this...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Google Scholar and ERIC, the education research database are good sources.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0885200695900179

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=1917412&fileId=S0305000907008604

http://lingref.com/isb/4/004ISB4.PDF

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8598396&fileId=S1366728911000356

Excellent information, PP. Thank you so much!