Hosting an au pair has immense childcare benefits like a flexible schedule, live-in support, and personalized care for your children. But have you thought about the unique perks that extend beyond childcare when you host an au pair? The introduction of a new and different culture into your home is an investment in your child’s (and entire family’s) education, not to mention the long-term impacts on your children’s perspective of the world.
Language Development and Bilingual Exposure
Children develop their native language as early as infancy. There are critical periods for language acquisition in the early years and hosting an au pair who speaks a language other than English can be a perfect opportunity to help your child learn and develop a native fluency in a second language. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, being multilingual has advantages, including understanding math concepts, coming up with solutions to problems, understanding others’ perspectives, shifting and focusing attention to important details, and adding value to a modern—and diverse—workforce.
Developing Cultural Intelligence from an Early Age
What could make a child more understanding and accepting of different cultures than being cared for by someone from a different background? Au Pair USA sponsors au pairs from over 25 countries who speak a variety of native languages in addition to conversational English. Your children will be exposed not only to an accent and perhaps some uniquely translated word choices, but also different customs and traditions. According to Lynn Ang, a professor at UCL Institute of Education, through these experiences, children develop more empathy, sensitivity, and appreciation for cultural differences. Being surrounded in your own home environment with cultural differences allows for growth to occur in a space that other children may not have had the opportunity to experience before.
Culinary Adventures and Food Flexibility
Perhaps you’re raising a picky eater. What a better way to introduce a variety of new and different food choices than through your au pair? Au pairs can be responsible for preparing and cooking meals for the children and many will be excited to demonstrate their kitchen skills to bring a taste of their home country to your home’s dinner table. Your child may be exposed to dishes, spices, and ways of preparing foods they’re not familiar with. And even if they decide they don’t like something, the exposure in itself is a learning experience. For example, did you know in Brazil, it is customary to eat avocados in a sweet form vs. a savory one? Maybe your kiddo will enjoy avocados as a dessert rather than an appetizer?
Age-Specific Benefits of Cultural Exchange
It’s not only the littles who benefit from cultural exchange. All ages are positively impacted by the cultural exchange experience of hosting an au pair. While infants and toddlers may be benefitting from attachment and sensory diversity, and preschoolers are soaking up second languages like sponges, school-age children and even teenagers benefit from cultural exchange as well. School-age kiddos are learning about the world through hands-on living experiences with their au pair, hearing stories and experiencing holiday traditions brought into the home from this global individual. Teens are seeing the world from a global perspective with a young adult who recently experienced middle and high school in a different place. They’re seeing how pop culture, fashion, and music differs in other parts of the world, yet there are also many similarities amongst human beings in general.
Creating Lasting Global Connections
Despite the au pair program being a maximum of two years, many host families and au pairs maintain relationships after program completion. With the simplicity of tech tools like email, video chat, and texting, it’s easier than ever to connect digitally across borders. It’s also not uncommon for au pairs and host families to reunite in person years after programs end.
Cultural exchange is a lifelong gift, and the au pair program can definitely give that to your family! When you host an au pair, not only will you receive the peace of mind that comes with flexible, in-home childcare, but you’ll also be educating and building a foundation in global citizenship for your children. Hosting an au pair is an investment in your children’s future success, helping them develop language, communication, and emotional intelligence skills through cultural exchange and caregiving right under your roof!
If you’re ready to get started in your au pair hosting journey, apply today! Au Pair USA has been successfully screening and matching au pairs with American host families for over 35 years. We can’t wait to support you and your family on this cultural exchange experience of a lifetime!