During a recent trip to a restaurant geared toward the toddler crowd, I watched a group of women studying Spanish together while their little ones played happily nearby. Katherine Dunn, a member of the 2- and 3-year-old playgroup in Houston, Texas, explained that the moms were learning Spanish and then planned on incorporating foreign language lessons into their playgroup schedule.

"We're having so much fun learning the language together, and we all feel that our children will benefit and enjoy learning this language from us with their friends," says Dunn. "Just a few more lessons and we'll know enough to begin the basics with them; then we plan on learning the rest with our children. So hopefully everyone will be learning and having fun together – moms and kids!"

Children learn best when they love the experience, so playgroups are ideal situations in which to teach children ages 4 and under a new language, says Duane Sider, director of learning for Rosetta Stone in Harrisonburg, Va. "These groups work best if the leader uses approaches that mimic the way children naturally learn their native languages: sounds, games, music, movement, objects, pictures, repetition, conversation and hands-on activities," he says. "For children, every act of learning is an act of play, and learning a new language is no exception. And what better place for parents to practice their skills as well."

Little ones generally learn languages when they are fully immersed in that language. "Begin by learning a new language with your young child," says Sider, which means Dunn's playgroup is right on track.

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