The latest issue of the journal Children in Europe calls for the introduction of a culture of multilingualism in pre-schools.
Bronwen Cohen, chief executive of Children in Scotland, which publishes Children in Europe, said, 'Language promotion policies are seldom aimed at young children, although it is precisely this age group that is most open to different languages.'
The Government announced last week that all children would be taught a language from age seven, but the policy change has been criticised for not being radical enough.
Emma Knights, joint chief executive of the Daycare Trust, said, 'The announcement is welcome, but too limited. Daycare Trust's research shows that value placed on individual's culture and language is important to parents and children, and so positive attitudes to indigenous, minority and migrant languages should be encouraged and supported through work with young children.'
Ms Cohen added, 'When English is not a child's first language we should not see this as a problem, we should see it as an opportunity to make children more aware of languages. Not valuing a child's first language gives negative messages about culture and identity.'