Nurturing Native Language Learning From the Earliest Stages: A Collaborative Approach for Families to Honoring Language Development

December 5, 2025

communications@ececd.nm.gov

Indigenous languages carry knowledge that has guided Native families and Tribal communities for time immemorial. They express relationships with land, history, and one another—and they continue to shape how children see themselves in their community and the world around them. 

As part of its commitment to culturally and linguistically responsive early learning, the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) partners with Nations, Pueblos, and Tribes (NPTs), families, and early childhood programs to strengthen opportunities for children to learn and grow in their heritage languages. This includes supporting families, whether they are fluent speakers, learning alongside their children, or just beginning to reconnect with their language. 

Families play a powerful role in language learning, no matter where they are in their own fluency. Your presence, encouragement, and willingness to learn together make a meaningful difference.

What Does Language Revitalization Mean?

Language revitalization refers to the work NPTs are doing to strengthen, restore, and grow the everyday use of their languages. Communities lead immersion programs, language nests, land-based learning, family classes, and community events that make language learning easier for families to access. 

For young children, these opportunities are more than educational — they help build a foundation of cultural identity, belonging, and pride at a time when the brain is developing rapidly and is especially open to learning multiple languages. 

The Early Years: A Powerful Window for Language Learning 

From birth to age 5, children’s brains are wired to absorb language through daily interaction—listening, playing, singing, and observing the adults around them. In this “sensitive period,” children effortlessly pick up new sounds and vocabulary, even when adults are still learning the language themselves. 

This is why early childhood programs—especially immersion classrooms led by Native language teachers—play such a critical role. When young children hear and use their Indigenous language in meaningful, joyful settings every day, they build a strong foundation for lifelong cultural and academic growth. 

But early childhood settings are only part of a child’s world. Families, caregivers, grandparents, aunties and uncles—all play a vital role in helping language take root at home. 

Why Language Revitalization Belongs in Early Learning 

Indigenous languages support early learning in unique and powerful ways. Research shows that being connected to language and culture strengthens children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. 

When children learn their heritage language from an early age: 

• Identity grows with confidence. Children recognize themselves as part of a living, continuous story. 

• Learning deepens. Language is intertwined with cultural knowledge, land-based skills, stories, and values. 

• Family relationships strengthen. Language creates shared moments of joy, curiosity, and connection at home. 

• Children become leaders. Many young children share new words and songs with parents, teaching the whole family as they learn. 

Language revitalization is a community effort, but families are at its heart. 

How Families Can Support Young Children’s Language Development 

You do not need to be fluent—or even comfortable yet—to support your child’s growth. What matters most is creating an encouraging, welcoming environment that helps your child see the language as something valuable and joyful. 

Here are ways any family can get started: 

Use the language you know—even a little

One word can become two. A short phrase can become a routine. Simple greetings, counting, color words, or daily expressions help your child hear and expect the language throughout the day. 

Make the language visible at home

• Put labels on everyday items: doors, chairs, windows, toothbrushes, etc. 

• Keep a family “word of the week” on the fridge. 

• Hang children’s artwork using vocabulary words or phrases. 

Children learn best when language is woven into their everyday environment. 

Learn together during daily routines

Mealtimes, morning routines, going for walks, laundry, and bedtime are all perfect opportunities for consistent language practice.
Try adding a short phrase: 

• “Let’s go.” 

• “Time to eat.” 

• “Look!” 

• “Good night.” 

Celebrate effort—not perfection

Children don’t need flawless pronunciation from adults; they need encouragement and shared laughter. Celebrate when your child tries a new word, sings a song, or corrects your pronunciation—they are growing confidence and becoming active language speakers! 

Supporting Language When You Aren’t a Fluent Speaker

Many caregivers worry that they aren’t able to help because they are not fluent or didn’t grow up speaking the language. These feelings are common—and completely understandable. 

But you are not alone, and you can make a meaningful difference.

Encouragement and Confidence Matter Most

Children thrive when they feel supported, even if everyone in the family is learning together:

• Let your child know you are proud of them for learning your community’s language. 

• Show interest in what they bring home from school. 

• Ask them to teach you new words—they often love taking the lead. 

Try Everyday and Creative Engagement

There are many simple ways to integrate language into daily life, even if you’re learning as a beginner: 

• Practice one phrase in the morning and one at night. Small steps matter. 

• Play together. Board games, drawing, or pretend play become opportunities to learn new vocabulary. 

• Connect learning to cultural activities. Gathering, sewing, beading, dancing, cooking, or time on the land offer natural ways to introduce new words. 

• Link practice to regular activities or places in daily life. For example, use only your heritage language during the first five minutes of dinner or during car rides. 

• Be open to mistakes. Children learn resilience when they see adults trying, laughing, and trying again.

Use Available Resources—and Create Your Own!

Every community has different tools available. Here are places to start: 

• Ask your child’s early learning program for songs, vocabulary, or recordings used in class. 

• Reach out to grandparents, language instructors, elders, or fluent speakers who may be willing to share stories or simple phrases. 

• Attend community language events where you can listen, practice, and learn in a supportive setting. 

• Explore digital tools such as recordings, apps, or online dictionaries—if your community has developed them. 

• Make your own materials. Homemade mini-dictionaries, picture labels, family word books, or flashcards can grow over time. 

You don’t need every resource in place to begin. Starting small and staying consistent is enough. 

Building Family Connection Through Language 

ECECD’s partnerships with Tribal communities are guided by a simple truth: healthy development and learning, including language, grows best through connection—between families, children, teachers, and communities working together. 

Families often find that as they support their children’s learning, they begin nurturing or strengthening their own relationships with language. Learning together can spark pride, curiosity, and renewed confidence for parents and caregivers who may not have had the opportunity to learn growing up. 

Language revitalization is not only about restoring words. It is about restoring relationships—within families, across generations, and with culture and land. 

Your Efforts Make a Difference!

Every effort to bring Indigenous language into a child’s life—one word, one song, one story at a time—helps strengthen the future of NPTs throughout New Mexico for generations to come. 

Your child will not remember whether your pronunciation was perfect. They will remember that you lead them by example, that you tried, and that their language is something to be celebrated every day! 

ECECD honors and supports the leadership of Native Nations, Pueblos, and Tribes—as well as Native families living in urban areas—in revitalizing and sustaining their languages. Our commitment is to uplift and respect the many ways families already nurture language learning and cultural connection. When young children and their families engage with their heritage languages, New Mexico’s communities become stronger, more connected, and more vibrant for generations to come