To support children's home language development and promote a multilingual environment, it is useful for the kindergartens to know which languages children hear in their everyday lives and which languages are used by their parents, siblings, grandparents and friends.
Resources
Research
Home language use in Norwegian early childhood education and care – Polish mothers’ perspectives. Stąpor, M., Evensen Hansen, J., & Garmann, N. G. (2025). Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 1–14.
Interview guide about children's language environment at home and in their free time
The Home language form is useful for kindergarten teachers who are admitting new children to the kindergarten and who want to find out what languages the child hears daily.
The assessment can also be useful if you are wondering whether a child may be at risk of delayed language development.
More resources
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Multilingual childhood
An online resource inspiring kindergartens to encourage outdoor activities and language learning.
