Making Time to Talk - Supporting Multilingual Children in the Early Years

About this episode

This episode explores the importance of home languages in children's development and offers strategies for supporting multilingual children.

In this energising episode, Deborah and Jacqueline dive into the powerful role home languages play in children’s identity, confidence, and communication. Discover why bilingualism is an asset, what the “funds of knowledge” approach means for practice, and how simple everyday interactions can transform language learning for children with English as an additional language. Packed with practical ideas, warm reflections, and inclusive strategies, this episode is perfect for educators, students, and anyone passionate about nurturing joyful, meaningful communication from the very start. Episode Seven References: Moll, L. C., Amanti, C., Neff, D. and Gonzáles, N. (1992) Funds of knowledge for teaching: using a qualitative approach to connect homes and classrooms. Theory into Practice, 31(2), 132–141. Links to website: Help for Early Years Providers https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/support-for-practitioners/english-as-an-add… Hosts: Deborah Brown www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-brown79 Dr Jacqueline Young www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jacqueline-young Podcast produced by: Luke Young www.linkedin.com/in/lukeyoungcomposer Title music by: Luke Young…

People in this episode

Hosts: Deborah Brown, Dr Jacqueline Young

Topics covered

• multilingualism
• bilingualism
• language learning
• early childhood education
• communication
• identity

Keywords

• multilingual children
• bilingualism
• language development
• early years
• communication strategies
• funds of knowledge

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Help for Early Years Providers

Books & works: Funds of knowledge for teaching: using a qualitative approach to connect homes and classrooms

More episodes of The Early Years Together

• Making Time to Talk - Your Questions on Supporting Children’s Communication · April 25, 2026 · 15 min
• Making Time to Talk - Supporting Language Delay · April 18, 2026 · 18 min
• Research Focus: Intersections Between Creative Thinking and Disadvantage · April 11, 2026 · 23 min
• Making Time to Talk - Building Connections Through Talk in the Home · March 15, 2026 · 13 min
• Making Time to Talk - Why Being an Active Listener is Important · March 1, 2026 · 16 min
• Making Time to Talk - Language Theory and Early Communication · February 22, 2026 · 13 min