Why Are the First Years of Life So Crucial?
The critical period hypothesis, proposed by Eric Lenneberg in 1967, indicates that the early years of life are a key time for language acquisition. During this period, the brain’s neuroplasticity – its ability to form new neural connections – reaches its peak, allowing children to acquire language easily and naturally. As Stephen Krashen notes, “we acquire language when we understand messages – both spoken and written.”
At Little Academy, an international preschool with 15 years of experience in language education, we witness every day how children, during this magical period, absorb English with remarkable ease. Our program, which combines the Montessori method with language immersion and a certified British Council curriculum, was designed to leverage this special phase in a child’s development.
Stages of Language Development in Children
Before we explain why the sixth year of life is such a significant milestone, let’s explore the fascinating journey each child undertakes in acquiring language.
From First Sounds to Communication
In the prelinguistic stage (0–12 months), a child communicates through gestures and sounds, laying the foundation for future speech. At this time, sensitivity to the sounds of all world languages is shaped. Then, between 12 and 18 months, the child enters the holophrastic stage, where single words express entire thoughts and needs.
Especially intriguing is the telegraphic stage (24–30 months), when children begin forming simple sentences, omitting less critical words. At Little Academy, we observe how children naturally switch between languages during this stage, using both Polish and English words. Our international team, composed of experts from eight different countries, creates an ideal environment for such bilingual development.
What Happens After the Age of Six?
After the age of six, the brain’s neuroplasticity begins to decrease, making it harder to acquire new languages. As research shows, structural brain changes associated with learning a second language are significantly more pronounced in younger learners than in older ones. Lenneberg emphasized that “after the critical period, language learning becomes more challenging and less effective.”
Changes in Brain Plasticity
Beyond this age, the brain starts to lose its exceptional flexibility for language acquisition. What once came naturally and effortlessly now requires conscious learning and much more practice. That’s why at Little Academy we emphasize full language immersion from the earliest years, offering a 100% English-speaking program led by native speakers with international experience.
Consequences of a Delayed Start
Children who begin learning a foreign language after the age of six often:
- Struggle to acquire a natural accent
- Need more time to master grammar
- Are less likely to reach native-like fluency
This is why our program at Little Academy, based on the certified British Council system, provides children with full language immersion from their first days in preschool. Our experience shows that children who participate in such a program before the age of six achieve significantly better outcomes in future education – 100% of our graduates are accepted into their first-choice schools, both international and bilingual.
The Role of Parents in a Child’s Language Development
Parents play a key role in creating a language-rich environment. As the Eurydice report (2023) states, “children learn best through passive exposure to diverse language content, such as songs or games.” Regular routines related to learning – like daily reading in a foreign language – are also important.
As a parent, you have a unique opportunity to support your child’s language development during this critical period. At Little Academy, we practice a “family approach” – ongoing contact between parents and psychologists and methodologists, which helps to understand and support the language learning process.
Practical Tips for Parents
Based on our 15 years of experience and cooperation with experts such as Ewa (a Ministry of Education expert and e-textbook author) and Hanna Loch (a DELTA methodologist with experience in five countries), we can point to the most effective ways to support language development:
- Creating a rich language environment
- Introduce a variety of foreign-language materials (books, songs, films)
- Use everyday situations to teach new words
- Let your child experiment with language without excessive correction
- Consistent exposure
- Set regular times during the day for contact with the foreign language
- Establish routines in the second language (e.g., bedtime stories)
- Seek natural opportunities to use the foreign language
The Importance of Semantics in Language Learning
Language development is not just about learning words and grammar – it’s primarily about understanding meanings and their relationships. At Little Academy, we apply a holistic approach that combines the Montessori method with innovative teaching techniques, enabling children to develop semantic competencies naturally.
How Do Children Build Meaning?
The process of acquiring word meanings is fascinating. In our preschool – the only network in Poland certified by the Institute of Neuroeducation – space is designed according to neuroarchitecture principles. Children learn through direct experience in specially arranged thematic zones such as the “Forest Corner” or “Water Lab,” where young explorers discover new words in a natural context.
Practice Makes Perfect
At Little Academy, we see children move from individual words to complex language constructions. Our proprietary program combines:
- Daily lesson scenarios tailored to different levels
- Practical activities from daily life (cooking, cleaning, dressing independently)
- Artistic and movement activities, where language is a natural tool of communication
Conclusion: Don’t Miss This Opportunity!
The period before age six is a true “window of opportunity” in your child’s language development. At Little Academy, we observe daily how children in our immersion program easily acquire a second language, achieving near-native proficiency. Our experience confirms that an early start in language education is one of the most valuable gifts you can give your child.
Don’t wait – take advantage of your child’s natural ability to absorb languages. At Little Academy, by combining the Montessori method with the British Council program and an international teaching team, we create ideal conditions for your child’s language development. Remember – what comes naturally now will require much more effort after the age of six.
We invite you to contact our experts at one of our four locations: Żoliborz, Wilanów, Ursynów, or Konstancin. We’ll help you make the most of this exceptional time in your child’s development.
