With a free printable in both languages “The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.” Parenting specialist Peggy O’Mara once wrote these impactful words and her quote resonates with me as a teacher and as a parent. Our words have so much power to influence how our children feel about themselves and […]
The Essential Gift Guide for Bilingual Kids
The holiday season has arrived! Have you been searching for a fun and educational gift for your bilingual or multilingual child? I have some wonderful ideas for you that will get your child building, exploring, and imagining – in any language. In our home, we try to keep things simple with a four gift rule […]
Find Your Balance
Do you ever feel like parenting is a juggling act? Schedules. Activities. Responsibilities. Caring for ourselves. Connecting with each child. Using our minority language. Raising kind humans. If you’ve ever struggled trying to juggle the many pieces of everyday life, you’re not alone. I’ve found that parenting, like many things in life, is about finding […]
Top 5 Bilingual Parenting Books
My top five book recommendations for parents If you’re looking for an excellent book to learn more about raising bilingual kids, start with one of these! Full of research-based advice, inspiration, and practical ideas, these books will get you off to a strong start in your parenting journey. What’s more, they’ll give you the tools […]
Why Should I Choose Bilingual Education?
5 compelling benefits to consider PLUS helpful websites parents should know about Choosing a school program is an important decision parents make for their children. In many communities, parents have options about which school their child attends. So why would parents choose bilingual education? Bilingual education has so many powerful benefits for children as they […]
Encouraging Your Child to Stick with Second Language Learning
8 valuable ideas for parents Learning another language takes time and dedication. There will be ups and downs along your child’s language learning journey. Times when you or your child want to give up. Especially during this challenging time with COVID-19, your family may have lost sight of why bilingualism is important to you. So […]
10 Ideas for Practicing Spanish as an Adult
As a non-native Spanish speaker raising bilingual kids, it’s important to me that I continue to practice and improve my Spanish language skills. Perhaps you are a non-native speaker like me and are looking for easy ways to keep using your second language. When I worked as a Spanish immersion teacher, I used Spanish all […]
Fun Outdoor Language Learning Activities for Kids
Get out in nature and learn some new vocabulary My amazing mom always says, “Keep it simple, make it fun!” This was especially important to her as a parent and a long-time kindergarten teacher, and even now that she is a grandparent. It gained new meaning for me as I became a mom – and […]
Important Children’s Books about Black History in Spanish and English
English & Spanish Titles To Read at Home One of the most important reasons we are raising our kids bilingually is to try to open up their eyes to different worlds. For us, learning a new language is just a start to learning about other people, their cultures, and their histories. The history of Black […]
Using Daily Routines to Teach Your Child a Second Language
When people find out that we’re raising our kids bilingually or that our son goes to a Spanish immersion school, I often hear, “Oh we could never do that.” Or just as often, “I took some Spanish in high school, but I couldn’t teach it to my kids.” But you can do it! Are you […]