I really want my 3 year old twins and my 6 year old to learn another language. Now is the time. I speak a little broken spanish from high school. I'd love for them to learn. I've started looking into spanish immersion preschools, dvd/cd programs. There's nothing like speaking the language though! I've thought about getting a spanish speaking babysitter a few times a week. I'm a SAHM so I'm on a budget. Before I commit to one or more of these ideas and go for it, I just want some advice on what would be the best direction to take. I'd be willing to trade off teaching something or watching kids for a couple of hours with a spanish speaking mom. If you know of anyone in the same boat, or what has worked for you, I'd love to hear from you. Gracias!
Do you kids want to learn Spanish?
If not, you are in for an uphill battle.
When I was 7, my parents wanted me to learn the piano! When my brother was 8, they really wanted him to play the accordion. Like my dad did in school.
We were into sports, not so much into music. All the forced lessons and mandatory practice was for naught....b/c we were being made to do something we had no interest in.
Something to think about.....
Why don't you get some books or videos aimed at elementary children and learn together?
There are wonderful things for teaching the alphabet, etc.
Little things that teach every day vocabulary can be fun it you make it so.
Today we are making huevos for breakfast.
Listen to bilingual Sesame Street. It's pretty fun and catchy.
Anytime you can substitute a spanish phrase instead of an English do so. My mom taught HIgh School/Middle School Spanish.
I know no Spanish but I do know that Vaminos or however it is really spelled means Let's go, or Pubresita is poor little thing and Lo Ciento I think is I'm sorry, or so sorry.
She would throw these little words at us, they became part of our vobabulary.
I know very little French from high school and would love my kids to speak another language. THey know one phrase, Vous ette un grand cochon. Which means You are a fat pig. So you are doing a much better job than I.
You've gotten great answers so far. I just wanted to mention something for you to think about if you are looking into dual immersion schools/classes. My son is in dual immersion 1st grade. My Spanish is not very good still because I haven't been able to study on a regular basis, just a few months here and there over the years. So I'm having a hard time helping my son with his Spanish homework. I suggest learning it with your kids. Check with the dual immersion schools in your area to see if they have an adult class. My son's school has one for $10 per semester and it was very helpful to me (during the few months that I attended!). Good luck! It is a great goal for your family!
Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go!
First of all if they don't want to learn it.........don't push. It will come in time.
Make it fun......My daughter loved the JumpStart series of computer games and she had one in Spanish.
Daughter is 16 now and in her 4th yr of Spanish at school. She's quite fluent in it. One way she "practices" is by watching the Spanish TV channel. The other day when making cookies, she said....this is much easier to read and follow directions with the Spanish version.
Just don't push. I was pushed to play the piano, forced to practice and go to lessons for 7 LONG years. I hated it. My mom wanted me to play because she did. My mom was an all state basketball player and wanted me to play basketball too.. THere is not a sporting bone in my body. Thankfully, the coaches knew I had no interest.
Enjoy the children while they are small...
I think the idea of a nanny or trading time with a spanish-speaking mom would be the best route. Granted, you have to trust the person whom you will leave your children with whole-heartedly, which is really hard if you just met them.
I say, since you're on a budget and might not trust some stranger who happens to speak spanish with your kids - - get the books that are printed with both Eng and Span on the page from the library, watch the dvds, turn on the spanish cartoons for half an hour a day, get the spanish versions of games you play.... I have heard wonderful things about Immersion camps. Some are for 2 months during the summer for older kids. Not sure what they have for the younger kiddos like yours, but look into that b/c I have heard such wonderful things about it.
See if your 6 yr old's school has a dual-language classroom. He will get a certain portion of his day/classes in English and a certain portion in Spanish. 50% of the students will be spanish-speaking and 50% english-speaking.
And if you really wanted to, order some old spanish text-books off of Amazon.com and teach yourself and kids at the same time. Search for "Spanish Textbooks for elementary school" "...middle school" "...high school" and there are lots of choices. Unfortunately, the book I used to learn Spanish isn't on Amazon.com anymore, so can't help ya there.
