Should nursery teachers use the child's home language?
Yes, where possible. NEP 2020 and NCF-FS 2022 recommend the home language or mother tongue as the medium of learning in the early years, because children understand and think best in a familiar language. Even in English-medium schools, welcoming the home language helps children settle and supports learning English.
What this means in practice
Many nursery children arrive speaking another language at home. Treating that language as a strength, not a problem, builds confidence and connection.
Practical ways to include home languages
- Learn greetings in children's languages
- Use bilingual books and songs
- Invite parents to read or sing in their language
- Label objects in two languages
Supporting English learners
Use pictures, gestures and routines; give time to respond; pair children with buddies; and avoid forcing speech.
Supporting children learning English
Use clear, short sentences with gestures and pictures. Repeat key words in routines. Pair the child with a friendly buddy. Accept answers in the home language and model the English words gently.
Practical next steps
- Find out each child's home language.
- Add bilingual resources.
- Involve families.
What to keep in mind
A silent period is normal for children learning a new language.
Common follow-up questions
Does using Hindi or a home language slow English learning?
Research suggests a strong home language supports a second language.
What does NEP say about mother tongue?
It recommends home language/mother tongue as the medium of instruction at least until Grade 5, wherever possible.
Sources
- National Education Policy 2020, Ministry of Education
- National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage 2022, NCERT
Course facts come from APTTI's published course pages. Examples use made-up names. How these answers are prepared.