06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
Why these mothers teach their children to speak Indonesian in Australia?
SBS Indonesian
06/05/2025 11:57
SBS Indonesian interviewed three parents who shared their strategies for teaching Indonesian to their Australian-born children.
Building Family Connections Nita Woodman, 32, mother to toddler Clara, wants her daughter to "connect with Indonesian culture and family." For her under-five daughter, this Melbourne resident introduces Indonesian through everyday play. "I speak Indonesian during mealtimes and while she's playing," Woodman said.
She enhances learning with Indonesian storybooks and children's songs like "Cicak-cicak di Dinding" (Lizards on the Wall) and "Balonku Ada Lima" (I Have Five Balloons) to build a foundation of simple vocabulary.
L-R: Nita Woodman & Clara, Shelly Grindrod & Feliza, Levina Raharjo & Mia. Credit: Supplied Fostering Cultural Identity Shelly Grindrod, 35, sees language as fundamental to her children's cultural identity. The Bunbury resident specifically chose a primary school offering Indonesian language instruction.
"Language is the gateway to understanding culture deeply," Grindrod said. "Without Indonesian, you can't truly grasp how Indonesians see the world or how they think."
Developing Practical Skills Taking a different perspective, Mia, daughter of Levina Raharjo, values her Indonesian as a practical skill that gives her independence when visiting Indonesia. When asked about the benefits, she said, "I can communicate when shopping or ordering food."
Thanks to 42-year-old Raharjo's consistency in speaking Indonesian at home daily, Mia has developed fluency in her family's mother tongue. The Melbourne resident's dedication has equipped her daughter with both cultural connection and practical communication skills.
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