Making a Difference

This document presents a framework for supporting children’s first and second language development in Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs. The following questions are addressed in the document: (1) “Can we facilitate children’s acquisition of English without the loss of Spanish (i.e., their first language)?” (2) “How can we understand the how and when of developmental processes related to first and second language acquisition?” (3) “Does it matter how adults use English and children’s home language when they talk to children?” and (4) “When we continue development of the first language and facilitate English, what does it look like day-to-day?” Guidelines and examples of specific practices that appear to be most promising are presented. Research shows that contrary to fears that early exposure to English would lead children to lose their first language, there was no evidence of decline in Spanish proficiency for the children attending bilingual preschools. Children enrolled in the bilingual preschool programs showed significant gains in both Spanish and English acquisition. Findings directly impact the learning experiences and opportunities for language that programs offer to children.