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Jenny Corredor Varela is a native speaker, Spanish coach and program creator. With more than 21 years of experience, she has helped children, adults and families learn this beautiful language whether they speak Spanish at home or not. In the Spanish for Children and Families podcast, she shares great tips for language acquisition, overcoming challenges and raising bilingual children. She also shares Spanish lessons and helpful resources.
www.jencova.com
info@jencova.com
FB group - Mundo Fantastico - Spanish for Children
¡Hola! Welcome back! Este es el episodio número 8 de “Spanish for Children and Families” podcast! ¡Gracias por escuchar! Remember to like and subscribe!
In the last episode, we learned the numbers from 1 to 10 and we also reviewed the colors and how to greet our friends by listening to the story “El cumpleaños de Luna la Mariposa”. I read the story both in its bilingual version and in Spanish. I also shared a great free pdf with the story and worksheets to practice.
Today, I will cover the second part of realities of teaching Spanish at home including the importance of planning ahead and how to tune into your child’s interests.
The third topic, navigating negative influences, requires an episode on its own. Whether these influences are comparing ourselves to others, having internal doubts, impostor syndrome, or a tough one: family members crossing boundaries, we need to concentrate on key strategies to make sure we are prepared with the tools and apply them to achieve our goals. Stay tuned for that episode!
First, let’s start with the Importance of planning. You have to have an idea of what you want to accomplish. It is all about finding the right balance. It requires a mix of structured planning and the flexibility to adapt. On one hand, you want some structure—kind of like a blueprint that sketches out where you're headed. This plan acts as your guide, aiming for the goal of bilingual fluency for your child. On the other hand, it's just as important to stay flexible. Not everything is going to go according to that blueprint. Real life is full of surprises, and often, it's those unplanned moments that turn into the most valuable learning experiences.
How can structured and flexible planning work together?
Let me give you some concrete ideas and examples.
Structured Planning involves setting up specific learning goals and activities for each day or week. Depending on your goals and your family’s needs, this approach may include:
1. Language Learning Calendar: You can design a monthly calendar with a specific focus for each day, like vocabulary on Mondays, pronunciation on Tuesdays, and cultural exploration on Fridays. For instance, you dedicate a day to learning about Spanish-speaking countries, using maps, flags, and fun facts to make it engaging.
2. Another structured alternative is to have Themed Weeks: Plan themed weeks where all activities revolve around a specific topic. One week could be about animals (los animales), another about food (la comida), and another about space (el espacio). This thematic approach can help deepen understanding and retention of vocabulary and it is an excellent idea to incorporate CI or Comprehensible Input- If you want to learn more about CI, listen episode 4, 6 Reasons Why Comprehensible Input Should Be Part of Spanish Learning
3. Weekly Language Challenges: Create a fun, competitive element by setting up weekly language challenges. For example, have a "Spanish Word of the Day" challenge where each family member tries to use a new Spanish word as many times as possible throughout the day. Keep a tally, and at the end of the week, the person who used their words the most wins a small prize. You can find a great example of a challenge in my website www.jencova.com in the free resources tab. There is a 5-Day Challenge for children and families where beginners master presentations, introductions, and emotions. Includes a customizable calendar to keep track of the challenge, instructions, lesson plans with explanations, worksheets, audios and flashcards. Each day can be used as a stand-alone lesson or combined depending on the level.
4. Another example of structucred planing is to have Scheduled Conversation Hours: Designate specific "Spanish Only" times during the day, like during dinner or on a weekend morning walk. During these times, encourage everyone in the family to communicate only in Spanish, regardless of their proficiency level. This can help build conversational skills and confidence in a supportive environment.
Now, we all know that planning is important, but flexibility within structure is key to adapting these plans to your child's interests and personality. Starting with a structured plan can provide a sense of direction and purpose, yet sometimes the true magic of learning can happen in the moments of flexibility when we deviate from the plan based on the child's interests and disposition.
Let me share some examples. I have also found in my years of teaching that while I suggest some ideas, parents also tend to have great ideas on their own! So I hope this is a good starting point!
An example of flexibility is to have Adaptable Story Time If let’s say you have a day scheduled for "Spanish Story" but it is not capturing your child's interest, switch it up by asking them to choose the story or even to create their own story with you in Spanish. This makes them an active participant and can spark interest.
Another great alternative is to have Interactive Learning Games. If the structured lesson plan for the day isn't resonating, pivot to interactive games. For example, use a Spanish language app to play games that match vocabulary words to pictures, or set up a scavenger hunt around the house with clues in Spanish. I have also found that a simple matching game to match the word with the picture with flashcards, while keeping track of the highest amount of matches is always a hit. It always brings the right amount of competitiveness and excitement.
A very impactful strategy to keep in mind while being flexible is to Adapt to your child’s interests. If your child shows a sudden interest in a particular topic, like dinosaurs or space, switch your planned lesson to incorporate this interest. You could watch a documentary in Spanish about dinosaurs or read a Spanish book about the solar system, using the opportunity to introduce related vocabulary and concepts.
So now that we covered both Structured and Flexible Approaches, how about keeping in mind one more example of how to combine both?
Project-Based Learning is a fantastic option. You can also plan and initiate a project that combines structure with the flexibility to explore. For example, start a family project to "travel" to different Spanish-speaking countries (virtually, of course). Plan the itinerary together, choosing countries to "visit" each week. Research the country's culture, language, and landmarks. Structure comes from the planning and execution of the project, while flexibility is inherent in the choice of countries, activities, and research methods. You might decide to cook a traditional dish from each country, learn a dance, or create art inspired by what you learn.
While you are planning the strategy that best suits your family, please keep in my that integrating Spanish into everyday activities is a powerful approach to make the language a natural part of your child's world. The goal is to move beyond viewing Spanish as just a subject to be studied during "lesson time." Instead, Spanish becomes the medium through which you interact with the world around you. For example, while cooking dinner, engage your child in conversation about the ingredients and the cooking process in Spanish. Phrases like "Hoy tenemos pollo con arroz" or "¿Puedes pasarme la sal?" make language use practical and contextually relevant. Similarly, during cleanup time, practice counting in Spanish as you put toys away. This not only reinforces numerical vocabulary but also demonstrates the practical utility of the language in organizing and completing tasks
Now let’s move to the second part of realities of teaching Spanish at home. Tuning into your child’s Interests and Understanding what captivates your child can significantly enhance their learning experience. Pay attention to what genuinely interests them. If they have a favorite hobby or subject, use it as a gateway to Spanish. Just like us! When we are engaged and we are doing something we like, we are more likely to follow through.
How to discover what captivates your child? Here's how to dig deeper into aligning Spanish lessons with your child's interests, complete with examples and strategies:
1. Observation: Spend a week noting what activities your child gravitates towards. Is it art, nature, sports, cooking, or maybe storytelling? These interests are your keys to making Spanish lessons more engaging.
2. Direct Questions: Sometimes, the best way to find out what your child likes is by asking them. You might discover an interest you hadn't noticed before. Use questions like, "What would you love to learn about in Spanish?"
3. Trial and Error: Introduce a variety of Spanish-related activities and note which ones they are enthusiastic about. This could range from cooking a Spanish meal together to watching Spanish cartoons or playing interactive Spanish language games.
Now, you know what your child likes. Let me share some examples to integrate his or her interests into Spanish Learning
1. For the Young Artist: If your child loves drawing or painting, introduce them to the works of Spanish-speaking artists like Frida Kahlo or Pablo Picasso. Encourage them to create their own art while learning Spanish vocabulary related to colors, shapes, and emotions. You can also explore art-themed Spanish vocabulary flashcards or apps.
2. For the Nature Lover: Engage in outdoor activities while learning Spanish. Go on nature walks and learn the Spanish names for plants, animals, and natural elements. Some apps like iNaturalist have Spanish settings, allowing kids to log and learn about their finds in Spanish.
3. For the Little Chef: Cooking together can be a delightful way to learn Spanish. Choose recipes from Spanish-speaking countries and cook together using Spanish to name the ingredients and cooking methods. Websites like Delishably offer recipes in Spanish, making it easy to get started.
4. If your child loves stories, jump into the world of Spanish literature for children. For elementary school children I recommend the combined story of "The Tooth Fairy and El Ratoncito Pérez" by Jane Cadwallader. It presents a unique opportunity to explore cultural folklore while enhancing language skills. This bilingual book, intertwines the adventures of two precious figures: the Tooth Fairy, known in English-speaking countries, and El Ratoncito Pérez, a very loved character in Spanish-speaking cultures. This a story is so cute! It has an amazing plot and also educates them about the cultural traditions surrounding the loss of baby teeth, offering a glimpse into how different yet similar our world can be.
Introducing children to a story that is told in both English and Spanish encourages them to draw comparisons, learn new vocabulary, and develop an appreciation for cultural diversity. Activities extending from the narrative, like drawing their versions of the characters or writing letters to them, can make the learning process interactive and engaging.
For intermediate school children ready to explore into stories that bridge cultural insights with language learning, "Cuentos de la selva" (Jungle Tales) by Horacio Quiroga is an excellent recommendation. Also, "El principito" (The Little Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is a timeless recommendation. While originally written in French, its Spanish translation captures the essence of this amazing tale.
5. Lastly, what to do if you have a sports fanatic? Connect Spanish learning with sports by maybe following a soccer team from a Spanish-speaking country or learning martial arts in Spanish. Have you heard the spanish commentators in a soccer game? Thats one of the most entertaining and passionate jobs Ive even seen! In my house we use those sports broadcasts in Spanish as listening practice.
Let me close today’s episode by sharing 5 key points:
1. Ultimately, the blend of structured planning with the flexibility to adapt to your child's interests and incorporate language learning into daily routines is what’s going to lay a solid foundation for a rich, immersive language learning experience. It's about creating an environment where Spanish is not just learned but lived, making the journey towards bilingualism as natural and engaging as possible.
2. By deeply integrating your child's interests into the Spanish learning process, you transform language learning from a chore into a passion-driven exploration. This approach not only makes learning more enjoyable but also more meaningful, laying the groundwork for a lifelong appreciation of the Spanish language and the cultures it represents.
3. Children's interests can evolve, so it's important to stay flexible and adapt your teaching methods accordingly. Regular check-ins about what they enjoy or might want to learn next can keep the lessons fresh and relevant. Celebrate their achievements in areas of interest to reinforce the connection between enjoyment and language learning.
4. Creating a learning space where curiosity, effort, and personal growth are valued over perfection helps shield your child from negative influences and builds their confidence and love for the language. Remember, the goal is to foster a lifelong interest and proficiency in Spanish, achieved best in a nurturing and positive environment.
5. Lastly, take pictures, family videos, safe those crafts and enjoy those memories. Childhood is a very short season. You will look back on this hard work and dedication and realized that it was all worth it!