Comments on: Small Changes Making Una Gran Diferencia In Our Spanglish Home

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:43:22 +0000

We are moving to the suburbs east of LA this summer. I’m beginning my search for Spanish play groups. Unfortunately at this point, I don’t think we’ll be able to move into a district with bilingual schools for my son to start kinder but I’m still doing my research. Thanks for the leads.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:39:43 +0000

Check out Batanga-A latino Pandora-like app. We listen to this radio station all the time: Niños Las Rimas de Juego

By: Alishia

Alishia — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:18:12 +0000

I can really relate to what you’re going through Elsie. I too, am the only person who speaks spanish to my son (and I am far from fluent). Although I do take spanish courses in school, it seems that I learn more being around other spanish speakers. Some things that I do to help Javier hear and see spanish is on the way home from daycare we listen to the spanish station or spanish songs I’ve downloaded onto my ipod, we read in spanish and english and I encourage counting in spanish and enlish, we watch Pocoyo on Saturday mornings (in spanish), when it is his birthday or “gift giving” holiday, I encourage my family to only purchase toys and books that are spanish/english, and I find that if I do the spanish alphabet while dancing or jumping he will copy me. (I have found many kid friendly songs on youtube). The idea with your care-giver is really smart and finding a bilingual school. I stay in a state where they do not encourage anything besides english unless you go to a private school (I sure can’t afford that).

By: susan liggett

susan liggett — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 19:08:03 +0000

I totally agree with you! I am a newly retired Spanish teacher with a 2 year old grandson and I have started speaking only Spanish to him when he is with me..I get to see him about 4-5 times each week, but people actually stare at us when I am in “Spanish mode” with him. I know he doesn’t understand it all, but he does get some things…he usually responds in English though. I refuse to give up on it…I want him exposed to the language…I tried to find a Spanish speaking playgroup for him, but there are none. I refuse to give up…even when people are staring at us! I know he will be thankful in the long run.

By: suzanne mateus

suzanne mateus — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:50:05 +0000

Elsie,
I feel the same way!!! And it makes me sad and sometimes insecure. Interestingly, though, when I find myself around native spanish speakers with their children it is actually me that can keep speaking in Spanish to my daughter. In other words, they switch from Spanish to English because (I think) they feel awkward because others can’t understand what they are telling their kids. This happens at the park a lot. Like when a kid gets in the way and then they start to tell their baby in English (so the other parent knows what they are saying) “Please move so the little boy can get through” for example. I on the other hand stick to Spanish no matter what. I even tell Sabrina to say “hola” to the kid smiling at her and then of course the parent looks at me like “Umm don’t know what else you said.”

I am currently trying to form a Spanish play group because my friends and sister don’t speak to their kids in Spanish and as Sabrina gets older I want her to play with kids who will speak in Spanish to her, too. Its hard. I think there will always be a challenge.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 13:16:52 +0000

Hi Elsie,
Loved this post! (I have a daughter Marisol too!) I can relate to the fluent baby Spanish. My husband speaks only to our daughters in Spanish, but it seems anymore it isn’t enough. They definitely understand Spanish, but they don’t speak it. I try to speak when I know what I’m saying is correct, but speak in English if I am not certain. I would hate for them to pick up bad Spanish from me. Things we use a lot in our home are books in spanish, watching El Mundo de Elmo on youtube, and listening to music exclusively in spanish. My girls are very fond of Mariachi music.

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:30:17 +0000

Hi Elsie–

I have found that working on my own Spanish helps too. I feel as you do about being pressed for time, so my solution has been audio-books. I can listen to them on my commute or when I am working out. Check out the site http://www.albalearning.com. I have even used it in my classroom, and it is all free.

I have also requested that all the teachers at my sons’ preschool speak to the boys in Spanish. The director who is bilingual is very supportive, and the Spanish speaking teachers are happy to use Spanish with the boys. Even my younger son’s Vietnamese teacher will use Spanish words with him. It is great!