Children are constantly shaping their future—through what they learn, the stories they hear, and the imaginations they build in their minds. But how can they stay connected to the past at the same time?
This is a question we may not think about often. We care about our child’s future—success, language skills, and fitting into society. But what about their past? Their roots? The stories that have been told before them, and the paths that have been paved by others?
Have you ever considered how knowing myths, histories, and past stories can strengthen your child’s future?
Stories: More than just entertainment
Children’s minds are shaped by stories. They learn from stories who they are, where they belong, and how to interact with the world around them. But what happens if your child only encounters one aspect of the world in stories?
- If they only hear narratives from the new society, they may think their past and roots aren’t important.
- If they only hear stories of the past, they may feel they can’t find their place in the modern world.
But what if they could hear both? What if they could travel to the past and draw strength from it while also preparing for the future?
Psychological research has shown that children who are aware of their cultural past and feel connected to the new society tend to have higher self-confidence, better coping skills, and stronger decision-making abilities.
- Stories of the past open a child’s mind to a broader world.
- When a child sees how previous generations faced challenges and paved their way, they learn that they too can create their own path.
- Myths show children that change is possible, problems have solutions, and every story is part of a bigger adventure.
Why shouldn’t we let our children miss out on this treasure?
Today, children live in a world filled with fast information, short stories, and shallow content. But they need something deeper. Something that tells them who they are, shows them they have roots, and that their story matters.
Stories and myths are not just bedtime tales.
- They bridge the past and the future.
- They empower children’s imagination and creativity.
- They show your child that they are part of a larger flow, that they are not alone, and that others have paved the way before them.
Every child has the right to become familiar with the world of myths and stories that belong to them. Every child has the right to know both their roots and their future.
- Does your child have that opportunity?
- Do the stories they read help them understand their roots?
The world is changing, but stories remain. Children who know their stories build a stronger future.
What do children lose when we take their stories from them?
Many immigrant parents, in an effort to help their children adapt faster to the new society, choose to speak only the language of the host country at home. At first glance, this decision may seem logical, as it reduces the child’s language challenges. However, studies show that this choice can have profound effects on a child’s cognitive, emotional, and cultural growth.
By eliminating the mother tongue, parents are not only taking words from their child—they are taking away a part of their identity.
When a child loses their language, they lose more than just words.
Psychologists and linguists believe that language is not just a tool for communication; it is deeply connected to memory, identity, and cognitive flexibility. Research has shown that children who do not learn their mother tongue:
- Do not have a deep understanding of their cultural roots and family history.
- Feel that in order to be accepted into society, they must suppress part of their identity.
- Are more likely to face identity crises in adolescence and adulthood and will struggle with a sense of belonging.
A study published in the Journal of Child Language Development showed that bilingual children have stronger problem-solving skills, greater cognitive flexibility, and higher creativity compared to their monolingual peers. Keeping the mother tongue not only doesn’t hinder learning the host language but also strengthens the child’s overall language and cognitive abilities.
How can we help children feel connected to both home and society?
The process of embracing both the cultural roots and the new society starts at home. Parents play a crucial role in this journey. A child should not feel they have to choose between two identities—they should learn how to embrace both.
1. Do not take away the mother tongue.
- Children who maintain their mother tongue perform better in school and social interactions.
- The mother tongue helps preserve the child’s connection to their family, history, and ancestors’ stories.
- Learning two languages enhances the child’s cognitive abilities and brings professional and communicative advantages in the future.
Parents who believe speaking the mother tongue at home will cause “language confusion” need to understand that studies have repeatedly shown that being bilingual not only doesn’t create a learning barrier but actually strengthens a child’s brain.
2. Provide stories that reflect your child’s dual identity.
Many second-generation immigrant children don’t see characters like themselves in books, movies, and common stories. When a child cannot find a character that mirrors their experience, they receive an unspoken message that their story doesn’t matter.
Developmental psychology studies have shown that children who see characters like themselves in stories:
- Have higher self-confidence and a stronger sense of belonging.
- Develop a more positive attitude toward their mother tongue and culture.
- Are more motivated to embrace and integrate both cultures.
Therefore, providing stories that reflect your child’s experience is not only important but necessary.
3. Let your child define their identity instead of forcing them to choose.
Children should not feel that they have to prefer one culture over the other. Instead, they should be able to build an identity that includes both. Parents can:
- Encourage the child to take pride in both their family roots and be actively present in the new society.
- Provide opportunities to use both languages—through family conversations, storytelling, and cultural traditions.
- Create an environment at home where being bilingual is seen as an asset, not a barrier.
Where is your child in this story?
With globalization happening so quickly, the value of multicultural identity is more recognized than ever before. Children who have the skill to navigate between cultures do not just avoid cultural conflicts—they use this situation as an advantage.
- Children who understand both cultures will have better problem-solving skills in the future.
- They will perform better in social and professional environments, as they’ve learned early on how to move between cultures.
- They will have a stronger identity, higher self-confidence, and a greater sense of belonging.
But parents who consciously cut off their child’s access to their mother tongue are not just making a language decision—they are shaping their child’s identity, feelings, and future.
Language is more than words.
Language is the bridge that connects the child to the past and the tool they use to build the future.
The question is: Are you building this bridge for your child, or are you destroying it?