The sooner you begin introducing a second language into your child's life, the sooner your child begins to acquire a lifetime of language skills. Did you know that the most recent research suggests that the ability to learn a second language is highest between birth and age six?

Our society becomes more global each year and requires today's young child to learn at least two, if not more, languages by college.

What does a baby listening to a bilingual music CD, a school age child learning two words in two languages for the same object and an elderly person sitting in a retirement community have in common? They all will experience a wide array of benefits derived from being bilingual.

It is mind-boggling to keep up with the most recent research in the field of bilingualism.

Remember those language learning labs in junior high school? Those labs with headsets where we were asked to listen and then repeat back to the taped voice of the instructor?

That was absolutely one of the least effective methods used to teach a second language! Not to mention it was at a point in our lives when our brain was no longer capable of acquiring a new language easily.

Running around the neighborhood I bet you have heard this once or twice, "I know she knows how to say it. I heard her singing her colors in Spanish just this morning. Lisa, tell my friend what red is in Spanish right now!" Or perhaps this scenario rings a bell, "Jorge, I am warning you! No more English. If you want something, you have to ask me in Spanish starting ahora!"

Parents across the world see a very global future for their children and want to prepare them for it.

Have you ever pondered over which language you should put your mind to learning? Or perhaps which new language you should advise your middle school child to register for next school year? Sitting next to a family of four (mother, father, high school son and middle school son) and mercilessly eavesdropping, I was flabbergasted by the conversation taking place about which foreign language to study and the various reasons why.

The time is upon us parents, teachers and care givers. We have the charming challenge of keeping the troops happy. Most of us know that there is a probable decline in cognitive development in our children during the summers if in traditional school settings. In fact, the latest report from a professor of Duke University states that most children lose approximately one month worth of learning over the summer time - many losing math and reading skills.

Who said the road to understanding your neighbor and traveling through foreign countries cannot be paved with golden moments of language fun? Summer is time for relaxation, reflection and road trips to places new and old.

Make the most of these treasured trips with learning opportunities you and your children will talk about for years to come.

Parents nationwide often times do not even know the meaning of or reason behind National Hispanic Heritage Month. It has been celebrated for 39 years since September 17, 2007. Enacted into law on that day in 1968, the United States set aside a week to honor our Spanish-speaking citizens. Later the 100th Congress enacted a public Law which increaded the celebration period to 31 days.

There seems to be a general tone among parents today when it comes to the topic of helping their child learn a second language, particularly English-speaking parents of young children. Just this morning, in our local Starbucks, a mom approached me after seeing the magnetic signs on my car that tout my business and its benefits. She asked me if I also taught adults Spanish, to which I quickly and definitively replied with a negative, a no.

There seems to be three specific categories of people directly affected by this 2007 'Outrage of the Lead Locators.'

There are the moms controling most of the family's discretionary buying power who, when faced with screaming children and end-caps galore this holiday season,will surely succumb to the wails which imply there is no caring of the country of origin (just buy it!!!).