Encouragement for parents raising bilingual kids to inspire consistency in their language use During my childhood, my grandparents lived in a large white farmhouse in the Iowa countryside. When my family and I would arrive and walk in the door, my grandma and grandpa would greet us with huge smiles and tight hugs. Then I’d […]
An honest review of Llamitas Primaria Baja Curriculum by Mama Llama Linguist Summertime can often mean a break from Spanish learning for dual language students like my own three kids. This summer, however, we decided to keep up our academic Spanish learning by trying out the Llamitas Spanish Curriculum! For parents like me who are […]
Free printable daily routine and chore cards for kids in ENGLISH & SPANISH If you’re raising kids in a bilingual household, you know how important it is to have resources in both languages! There’s so much learning that goes on in our child’s day. And our simple, everyday moments can be the perfect opportunity for […]
Plus a free printable to empower your everyday Spanish learning What do eating breakfast, brushing our teeth, or getting dressed have in common? They’re perfect daily routines for practicing Spanish at home! These small moments in our day may seem insignificant when it comes to learning languages. Yet, there is power in what we do […]
It was the very first day for my newcomer student, César. He and his mom had just arrived in our small community in the Midwest from their home in Mexico. At the forefront of my mind was ensuring that I created a safe and welcoming space for César. I wanted to set my students up […]
Sandals, goggles, and swimsuit? Check! Authentic language learning, cultural immersion, and family fun? Double check! A vacación with the kids is the perfect opportunity to create lasting memories together. It can also be a time for the family to use and expand their minority language! We just returned from our first trip outside of the […]
Games to use at home, school, or anywhere you want to practice language skills! Ready to encourage your language learner to speak more in the target language? These fun games will help provide a time to practice speaking – in any language! What’s more, these easy games can be squeezed into any quick window in […]
Spanish immersion at home: seven ways to create an engaging environment to help kids learn at home There are a few questions I’ve heard many times over the years as a bilingual teacher and mom. Questions like “How can I help my child practice Spanish at home when I don’t speak Spanish?” Or “How can […]
How can you build community around your minority language? Bilingual parenting can feel like a lonely path at times. I know it has for me, especially as a non-native Spanish speaker trying to teach my children a language that we rarely hear in our small Midwest community. Yet finding opportunities in which my children and I […]
If you joined me with my kids today, you’d hear some catchy Spanish songs like “Veo Veo” or “Chocolalala” that would undoubtedly get stuck in your head. We’d chat together in Spanish as we drew or wrote stories, played in the backyard, and made dinner. You’d definitely listen to some new Spanish books – maybe […]
