Why a strong first language helps children learn Dutch and succeed at school

When children grow up between languages, parents often have many questions:

• Should we focus mainly on Dutch now that we live in the Netherlands?
• Should we keep speaking Dutch at home while living abroad?
• Will our home language slow down Dutch language development?
• Is it confusing for children to grow up with more than one language?

These are very understandable questions. Many international and expat families want to support their child in the best possible way, but receive different advice from different people.

At Dutch for Children, we work with children all over the world. Some of our pupils are Dutch children living abroad. Others are international children living in the Netherlands and learning Dutch as a second or third language.

What we see again and again is this: a strong first language supports the learning of Dutch. Language is not only a means of communication. It is the foundation of learning, thinking, identity and confidence.

Why is a strong first language the foundation of learning?

Language is much more than a school subject. Children need language to understand instructions, ask questions, explain ideas, read texts, solve problems and take part in classroom discussions. This is why language development affects almost every area of school life.

A child who struggles with vocabulary or reading comprehension may also find maths, science, geography or history more difficult. Not because the child cannot understand the subject, but because the language surrounding it is too complex. Think about a maths word problem. A child may understand the calculation perfectly well, but still struggle because the question is difficult to read.

The same applies to subjects such as biology, history and digital literacy. Children need language to understand new concepts and explain what they have learned. This is one reason why strong language skills are so important for school success.

Why the first language matters

A child’s first language is the language in which many early thoughts, emotions and ideas are formed. It may be Dutch, English, Spanish, German, Turkish, Arabic, Polish, French or another language. For some children, there is more than one home language. Whatever the language is, it matters.

A strong first language helps children:

• understand how language works
• build vocabulary
• develop reading skills
• express emotions and ideas
• understand abstract concepts
• connect with family and culture
• learn additional languages more easily

When children develop strong skills in their first language, many of those skills can transfer to Dutch.

For example, a child who understands how stories are structured in their home language can use that knowledge when reading Dutch texts. A child who has a rich vocabulary in one language often finds it easier to understand new concepts in another language.

The first language does not stand in the way of Dutch. It can support Dutch.

For international families in the Netherlands

Many international parents move to the Netherlands and feel immediate pressure around Dutch. This is understandable. Dutch is important for making friends, understanding school, joining activities and feeling at home in the Netherlands.

Some parents wonder whether they should stop using their home language and focus entirely on Dutch. In most cases, this is unnecessary and often unhelpful. Children benefit from continuing to develop their home language while learning Dutch. A strong home language gives children a foundation they can build on.

For example, if a child already understands a concept in English, Spanish or German, it becomes easier to learn the Dutch word for that same concept. The idea is already there. Dutch gives the child a new way to express it.

This is especially important for children who enter Dutch primary or secondary school after living in another country. They are not only learning Dutch words. They are also learning how Dutch is used in school subjects, instructions, tests and social situations.

That takes time. Parents can help by keeping the home language rich and meaningful, while also giving Dutch enough space to grow.

For Dutch families living abroad

For Dutch families living abroad, the challenge is often the other way around. The local or international school language becomes stronger, while Dutch slowly moves into the background. This can happen gradually.

A child may start answering in English more often. Reading Dutch books may become harder. Writing in Dutch may feel less natural. Over time, it can become more difficult to explain complex thoughts in Dutch.

Many parents notice this and wonder whether it really matters if their child still understands Dutch. It does matter.

Maintaining Dutch abroad supports family relationships, identity, reading skills and future educational opportunities. It also keeps options open if the family returns to the Netherlands one day. Children who return to Dutch education often need to address reading levels, spelling, writing assignments, classroom language, and subject-specific vocabulary. A child who has continued developing Dutch while abroad is usually better prepared for that transition.

Learning a new language takes time

Children often seem to learn a new language very quickly. After a few months, they may play with other children, understand daily routines and manage simple conversations. This is wonderful to see.

However, everyday language is not the same as academic language. It can take many years before a child reaches the same level as native-speaking peers in reading, writing, vocabulary, and school language.

This means children need patience, time and support. A child may sound fluent on the playground but still struggle with classroom language, written assignments or reading comprehension. That is normal. It is also why strong language support is so important, especially for children growing up between languages.

Does the home language slow down Dutch?

No. A strong home language usually supports the learning of Dutch. Children do not have a single small language box that fills up. Languages can strengthen each other.

When children develop strong language skills in one language, they build knowledge and strategies that help them in other languages too. They learn how to tell a story, ask questions, describe feelings, compare ideas and understand texts. These skills are useful in every language.

Of course, children also need enough exposure to Dutch. They need to hear, speak, read and practise Dutch regularly. But this does not mean parents have to give up the home language.

The strongest approach is often this: keep the home language rich and meaningful while giving Dutch structured, positive support.

Why is reading so important

Reading plays a major role in language development. Through reading, children learn new words, sentence structures, expressions and ideas.

For children learning Dutch, reading helps build vocabulary and comprehension. For Dutch children abroad, reading helps keep Dutch active and age-appropriate. Reading does not always have to mean long books. Depending on your child’s age and level, you can use:

• picture books
• short stories
• comics
• children’s magazines
• audiobooks with the text
• information books about favourite topics
• news articles for children

The most important thing is that reading feels achievable and enjoyable. A child who reads a little every day often makes more progress than a child who reads a lot once in a while.

Read more about getting your child excited to read in this article on Dutch for Children.

Language and confidence

Children who struggle with language can lose confidence quickly. They may avoid speaking in class, feel nervous about reading aloud or become frustrated when they cannot express what they mean.

This can happen both to international children learning Dutch in the Netherlands and to Dutch children abroad who feel their Dutch is becoming weaker. Confidence grows when children experience success.

That is why language lessons should be supportive, positive and tailored to the child. Children need to feel that mistakes are part of learning. They also need lessons that match their level, interests and goals. When children feel safe and understood, they are much more willing to speak, read and write.

Language and identity

Language is not only connected to school. It is also connected to identity. The language spoken at home carries family stories, humour, traditions, emotions and memories.

For international families in the Netherlands, the home language helps children stay connected to their background and family members abroad. For Dutch families abroad, Dutch helps children stay connected to the Netherlands, grandparents, relatives and Dutch culture.

Children who grow up internationally often have more than one place, language and culture that feels important to them. That is something valuable.

Maintaining their first language while learning Dutch can help children feel proud of their full identity, rather than feeling they have to choose between languages or cultures. This article explains this part further.

Practical tips for parents

• Supporting language development does not have to be complicated. Small, consistent habits can make a real difference.
• Speak your strongest language at home if that feels natural.
• Have real conversations with your child, not only practical ones.
• Read together regularly.
• Use audiobooks, podcasts or songs.
• Stay connected with family members through video calls.
• Play word games or board games in different languages.
• Encourage your child to explain ideas and opinions.
• Give Dutch regular attention through school, activities or lessons.
• Try not to correct every mistake immediately. Focus on communication, confidence and growth.
• Language development takes time. Progress is not always visible from week to week, but consistent exposure and support matter.

How online Dutch lessons can help

Some children need more structured support with Dutch. This may be helpful when:

• A child is new to the Netherlands
• A child is preparing to move to the Netherlands
• A Dutch child abroad is losing confidence in Dutch
• A child needs support with reading or spelling
• Parents want to maintain Dutch at an age-appropriate level
• A child may return to Dutch education in the future

At Dutch for Children, we offer online Dutch lessons for children ages 3.5 to 17. Our lessons are tailored to the child’s level, learning style, interests and goals. We work with children who are learning Dutch as a new language, as well as those who already speak Dutch but need to maintain or strengthen their Dutch.

In our lessons, we focus on speaking, listening, reading, writing, vocabulary and language comprehension. We also pay attention to confidence and motivation, because children learn best when they feel supported.

A strong first language helps children learn Dutch

Whether your family lives abroad or in the Netherlands, language plays a central role in your child’s development. For Dutch families abroad, maintaining Dutch helps children stay connected to their language, family and future opportunities. For international families in the Netherlands, a strong first language helps children build the foundation they need to learn Dutch and succeed at school.

Children do not need to choose between languages. With the right support, their languages can strengthen each other. A strong first language helps children learn Dutch, develop confidence and grow as multilingual learners.

And that is a gift they can carry with them for life.

Every child follows a unique language journey

Some children need support learning Dutch in the Netherlands. Others need help maintaining Dutch while living abroad. Whatever your family’s situation, we would be happy to think along with you.

During a free meeting, we can discuss your child’s language development, educational background and goals. Together, we can explore how to help your child grow in Dutch with confidence and enjoyment.

Our online Dutch lessons are fully tailored to each child and taught by experienced native Dutch teachers who understand the unique challenges international and multilingual families face.

Schedule a free, no-obligation meeting here.

We look forward to meeting you and your child.