August 31, 2026
Picture this: your child is telling you about their day, and suddenly a sentence tumbles out that begins in Spanish, dips into English for a word or two, and finishes in Spanish again. Maybe you paused, wondering, "Is my child confused? Are they mixing up their languages? Should I be worried?"
Take a deep breath. What you are witnessing has a name — code-switching — and far from being a red flag, it is one of the most fascinating and reassuring signs of a healthy, developing bilingual mind. At Runningbrook International Preschool, where children from more than 35 countries have grown and flourished since 1993, we see this beautiful linguistic dance every single day. And we want to help you understand and celebrate it.
Code-switching is the practice of alternating between two or more languages within a single conversation, sentence, or even phrase. Your child might say, "Quiero jugar with my friends en el patio," seamlessly blending both languages into one thought.
For decades, a persistent myth suggested that bilingual children who mixed languages were somehow confused or falling behind. Research has thoroughly debunked this idea. Studies by developmental linguists such as Barbara Zurer Pearson, author of Raising a Bilingual Child, and researchers at institutions like the University of Washington's Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, have shown that code-switching is actually a sophisticated cognitive skill. It demonstrates that a child has two functioning language systems and the mental flexibility to move between them intentionally.
In fact, code-switching often follows consistent grammatical rules. Children rarely mix languages randomly; instead, they tend to borrow a word from one language when it fits better, expresses a concept more precisely, or simply comes to mind faster in the moment. This is the same skill that highly proficient adult bilinguals use every day.
Bilingual language development unfolds differently for every child, and it is important to remember that children develop at their own unique pace. Still, there are some patterns you may notice as your little one grows.
You may also notice your child code-switching more when they are tired, excited, or talking about topics they mostly experience in one language. For example, a child who learns numbers and colors at Runningbrook in English might count in English even while chatting in Spanish at home. This is completely normal and reflects where and how they learned those concepts.
When we shift from seeing code-switching as a problem to recognizing it as a superpower, everything changes. Here is what your child's language-mixing actually reveals:
These are exactly the qualities we nurture at Runningbrook — self-esteem, curiosity, creativity, and social confidence — through our child-centered approach and play-based learning philosophy.
At Runningbrook, we believe children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful relationships. Our multicultural environment, with families from over 35 countries, means that hearing multiple languages is simply part of daily life. In our small groups, dedicated educators create spaces where children feel free to express themselves in whatever language serves them best in the moment.
Rather than correcting a child who mixes languages, our educators model rich language in both English and Spanish, gently offering new words while honoring what the child already knows. During free play in our indoor and outdoor spaces, children naturally negotiate meaning with peers who may speak different home languages — building both language skills and empathy in the process.
This strengths-based approach mirrors what early childhood development research tells us: children thrive when they feel accepted, safe, and celebrated for who they are, languages and all.
You play the most important role in your child's language journey. Here are some simple, practical strategies you can start using today:
If there is one thing we hope you take away, it is this: your child's code-switching is not a sign that something is wrong. It is a window into a busy, capable mind that is doing something remarkable — building two languages at once.
Remember, every child develops on their own timeline. Some will separate their languages earlier, others later, and both paths are perfectly healthy. And above all, remember that you are the expert on your own child. You know their personality, their joys, and their unique way of seeing the world better than anyone.
At Runningbrook, we are honored to walk alongside you on this journey, celebrating every mixed-up, marvelous sentence as proof of your child's growing brilliance. Trust the process, trust your child, and trust yourself. The languages will sort themselves out — and your child will be all the richer for having two.