About: Ana Flores

  I have nothing against technology when raising bilingual children. Apps, online games and movies in Spanish are a great supplement in this journey — but they’re just that, a supplement. It is a mistake to think that just sitting your child in front of the television set to watch a show in Spanish or to let them mouse around with a bilingual computer game will expose them to the kind of vocabulary needed to become proficient in the minority language.Read More ...

Saenz Awarded PEN/Faulkner Prize, First Hispanic Winner from Fox News Latino — I was super happy when I heard the news, not only because Benjamin Alire Sáenz is the first Latino to win the prestigious award, but also because we really like his bilingual children’s books and the publishing house behind them, Cinco Puntos Press. Felicidades to all! Challenges and tips for raising bilingual children from NBC Latino by Monica Olivera — Monica spoke to three experts about some of the mostRead More ...

  With few exceptions, I’ve never been a huge poetry fan — mostly because I wasn’t really exposed to poems growing up, other than the obligatory ones for school. But I love the beauty, repetition and rhythm in children’s poetry and how great they can be to explain certain concepts in simple terms. To celebrate Children’s Poetry Day on March 21, I wanted to share some of our favorite bilingual children’s poetry books: Poems to Dream Together/Poemas para Soñar Juntos by FranciscoRead More ...

  Anybody who knows me well knows I’m not a huge fan of crafts because I’m really no good with my hands. But my 6-year-old daughter loves them and so I’m always trying to find easy ones — so I don’t mess everything up — we can do together and have some fun. That’s why when I found this idea on how to make maracas out of plastic easter eggs I jumped on it! Both my children love music and weRead More ...

Disney’s “Oz the Great and Powerful” opened last weekend to a solid #1 spot in the worldwide box office. If you’re one of those that’s flocking to the theaters to see it — as you should! — you’ve probably already been charmed by the character of China Girl. China Girl is voiced by 13-year-old Joey King — well known for giving life to the spunky Beezus in the “Ramona and Beezus” movie starring Selena Gomez. This seemingly delicate character is fullRead More ...

Why raise a bilingual child? Parents on language, culture and roots from Multi American on KPCC — A must-watch if you’re raising bilingual children or thinking about it. I’m sure you’ll see yourself reflected in the reasons these parents give for raising bilingual kids. False Friends and Other Unwanted Companions from Psychology Today — Have you ever said “librería” when you really wanted to say “biblioteca?” Prof. Grosjean explores why interferences like that happen to bilinguals. My favorite part of the article is thisRead More ...