Multilingualism is a superpower that enables children to thrive in an increasingly global society, and advances in AI make this superpower widely accessible. However, learning a new language and learning in a new language aren’t as simple as plugging phrases into online translators–- audience, context, and delivery matter. 

With Yeti Confetti Kids’ new Language Blend feature, a newly multilingual Yeti adjusts their speech and pacing for learners ages 3-9, and all dialogue reflects the naturally occurring nuances in language. While delivering personalized instruction, Yeti seamlessly blends languages, enhancing children’s comprehension and engagement.  The Language Blend feature allows grown-ups to customize Yeti’s language of instruction to meet individual needs, thus promoting both language and literacy development.

Increasing Numbers of English Language Learners 

The US is an increasingly multicultural and multilingual country: 10.6% of children in the public school system are English language learners, while 20% of Americans speak more than two languages. These numbers continue to rise, and with it, so does the need for individualized multilingual support. No longer “add-ons” or “nice-to-haves,” multilingual supports are essential for modern learning. Quality multilingual instruction serves a dual purpose: to increase engagement and learning outcomes in multilingual learners and to preserve multilingual families’ cultures by allowing them to teach their children languages that are not taught at school. 

Research indicates that intentionally incorporating a child’s home language into classroom instruction actually increases their understanding of the English language and supports their overall literacy development. This makes sense: children learn best in the language they use and understand the most. In addition to improving learning outcomes, strategically infusing home languages into the classroom also fosters family-school partnerships, positively impacts classroom participation, and promotes diversity, equity, and belonging. 

But what if none of the teachers speak the child’s home language? Or what if no one at home speaks English? Supporting dual language learners can pose a logistical challenge, even when teachers and caregivers are equipped with research and the best intentions. 

Current Head Start Performance Standards recognize that multilingualism truly is a superpower, and the organization provides resources and guidance for supporting multilingual learners in early childhood programs. This is an excellent starting point, and certainly moves in an empowering direction to support all learners across the country.  With Yeti’s help, teachers can support the diverse learning needs of each child in their classroom and families can incorporate their rich multilingual experiences into their children’s daily learning.  

Yeti as Translanguaging Expert

While guiding content and introducing videos, Yeti seamlessly switches between English and your child’s home language. This technique, called translanguaging, supports multilingual children in using all of their available linguistic skills to engage with new information. Kids don’t separate their knowledge into categories of English, Spanish, or Mandarin; they use all of their words in all of their languages to learn new concepts, communicate with others, and navigate the world. Even though each of those languages is different, they all make up important components in dual language learners’ robust language systems. 

Control Over Language Proportion

The Language Blend feature allows the grown-up to set the ratio between English and your child’s home language so Yeti can deliver instruction that is personalized to each child’s learning needs. Caregivers and educators can adjust this ratio (i.e. switching from 50% Spanish:English to 80% English, 20% Spanish) as the child’s understanding grows. 

By toggling between familiar and unfamiliar languages and incorporating language-learning into interactive activities, Yeti supports children who are learning English, as well as children who are learning a second (or third!) language. Currently, Yeti can deliver personalized instruction in Spanish (US), Mandarin, German, French, and Arabic. 

Yeti Confetti Kids seeks to eliminate language as a barrier for children to “understand the assignment,” while promoting equitable access to quality learning experiences. This feature utilizes best practices in multilingual education to support children’s ability to comprehend instruction in their home language at the same time they are building skills in math, ELA, and social-emotional learning. 

Playful Approach 

By this point, it’s no secret that young children learn best through play and experience (so do many adults, but that’s another article 🙂). Learning outcomes soar when children are invested, engaged, and excited about what they are learning. By leveraging multimodal learning strategies, Yeti Confetti Kids provides a playful approach to language learning that sparks kids’ interest and curiosity. Through expertly translated dialogue, Yeti captures the child’s attention and interest to introduce a host of visual, auditory, and movement-based methods of learning. 

Transforming the Future of Multilingual Instruction

Language Blend is set to revolutionize education by leveraging AI to personalize education for young learners, and addresses the critical need for individualized instruction for children and instructional support for educators and caregivers.  As it expands its language offerings, Yeti Confetti Kids proves to be an essential resource for fostering multilingualism and enhancing educational journeys through the way kids learn best: play. 

Take advantage of our Summer Special for 3 months of bilingual learning for only $19.99! Offer ends on July 15, 2024!