Bilingualism Does Not Cause a Speech Delay: What Every Parent Should Know

If you're raising your child to speak more than one language, you may have heard well-meaning advice like:

"Aren’t you going to confuse them?""Won’t they talk later if you speak two languages?""Shouldn’t you just focus on English first?"

NO! Let me be clear as a Speech-Language Pathologist:🗣️ Bilingualism does NOT cause a speech or language delay.

In fact, raising your child with two languages is one of the best gifts you can give them—and it doesn’t come at the cost of their communication development.

What the Research Says About Bilingual Language Development

Children who grow up learning two (or more) languages may sometimes appear to talk a slightly later than their monolingual peers—but research shows this is completely normal and still within the typical developmental range.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Bilingual children may say their first words between 8 and 15 months, just like monolingual children.

• They may start combining words around 18 to 24 months—again, just like other children.

• Their grammar and sentence structure develops on the same path as children who speak only one language.

Being bilingual does not cause a delay in speech. If a bilingual child has a true speech or language disorder, it will show up in both languages, not just one.

What About Mixing Languages (Code-Switching)?

Many bilingual kids (and adults!) mix languages in a sentence—this is called code-switching, and it’s a natural part of bilingual development.

For example:

• “Quiero jugar with my toys.”

• “Vamos a the park.”

This doesn’t mean your child is confused. It means they’re resourceful and using all the tools they have to communicate! Over time, they will learn when and how to use each language depending on the context.

🇺🇸 English vs. 🇪🇸 Spanish: A Quick Look

English and Spanish are structured differently, which may cause some natural differences in how bilingual children express themselves.

Here are a few examples:

English	Spanish
"I want the red car."	"Quiero el coche rojo." (Adjective comes after the noun in Spanish)
"He is eating."	"Él está comiendo." (Verb conjugation is more complex in Spanish)

These differences don’t mean your child is behind—they’re learning two systems at once, and that takes time and exposure.

Best Strategies for Parents of Bilingual Kids

1. Speak the language that feels most natural to you.

Whether it’s Spanish, English, or both—children learn best through loving, natural conversation.

2. Label and describe everything.

Talk during routines: “Vamos a lavar las manos.” / “Let’s wash our hands.”Repetition builds understanding in both languages.

3. Read books in both languages.

Picture books build vocabulary and expose your child to how each language is structured.

4. Sing songs and tell stories.

Music, rhymes, and storytelling help reinforce sound patterns and grammar.

5. Don’t stress about code-switching.

It’s normal—and temporary. Over time, your child will learn to separate their languages more clearly.

6. Model, don’t correct.

If your child says “el red carro,” you can respond naturally with “¡Sí! El carro rojo.” Repeating the correct form without making it feel like a correction helps learning without pressure.

When to Seek Help

If your child:

• Isn’t using any words by 16 months

• Isn’t combining two words by 24 months

• Has difficulty understanding either language

• Shows frustration when communicating

… it may be worth consulting a Speech-Language Pathologist—ideally one experienced with bilingual children. It’s important to evaluate both languages to determine if it’s a true delay or simply a part of bilingual development.

💬 Final Thoughts

Raising a bilingual child is something to be proud of. Language is more than words—it’s connection, culture, and confidence. Don’t let myths about bilingualism make you second-guess your decision to speak your native language or mix languages with your child.