Why Mother Tongue Matters for Cognitive Development

Decades of research in bilingual education point to the same conclusion: children who maintain a strong foundation in their home language often develop stronger overall language and cognitive skills — not weaker ones.

A strong first language gives children a scaffold for learning additional languages, including the language of instruction at school.

Beyond cognition, heritage language fluency is deeply tied to identity, family connection, and a sense of belonging that lasts a lifetime.

The takeaway for families: keep speaking Telugu at home. It supports school language learning rather than competing with it.