Lately, I have seen posts by our SpanglishBaby familia about whether or not a Spanish immersion program is the right fit for their child. Well, interestingly, it is a topic that has been something my little familia has also been debating.

Even before I had Sabrina I was scoping out our foreign language schools options. I got on several waiting lists and eventually got into all of them! In fact, I keep my nena on a rolling waiting list because you never know. I was so set on foreign language exposure that I did not even bother looking into English child development (aka day care options or mothers-day-out programs). I had my heart and eyes focused on the foreign language component that it, unfortunately, blurred my sense of vision. I lost sight of what was really important — my daughter’s well being, her happiness, and what she needed in school.

As I scoped out language schools I started to notice a trend. Most of them seem to have a stricter and more regimented program for teaching and taking care of children. I started to wonder if this had something to do with the ways children are taught and cared for in Latin American countries. I know that western/North American child rearing practices can be very different than other parts of the world, so surely this, too, affects the way children are regarding in Latin American day care centers and schools.

As I have mentioned in other posts, we love the little school Sabrina is enrolled in now. They value linguistic diversity and that, to me, is priceless. We have had to consider other options because it was now too far from our home, but to be honest, I was not entirely happy with the stricter and more regimented schedule they have in place. I won’t get into details, but I will say that I recently checked out an English school in town and walked into a whole new world.

The child was at the center of their “play-curriculum.” If my baby girl wants to paint, she can; if she wants to play with shaving cream in a water table, she can. The place seemed happy, the kids were happy, and most importantly, they were doing things that 2 and a half year olds should be doing—socializing and playing. In other words, they don’t have to wait for art time to happen in an organized, sitting in their chair, and waiting their turn fashion.

Read: Is Bilingual Education Right for Us?

Taking the initiative to look at English schools may have happened out of necessity, but deciding that sometimes Spanish does not come first was a process. We have been speaking in Spanish to Sabrina since the day she was born and have been really consistent about it. She probably knows about 90% Spanish and 10% English.

My heart was aching and tears were swelling up in my eyes when I was forced to take a closer look at the decisions we were making about exposing my daughter to Spanish almost 100% of the day. I realized that the decisions we had made were possibly costing her opportunities to just be a kid. All she wants to do is play, socialize with other kids, and do creative things. Sure she would stay in her seat, listen to the teacher, walk in a line with her hands behind her back, but she is too young to voice her opinion or even know that there are other schools available where being a 2 ½ year old comes first, then learning Spanish.

I’m curious, what are foreign language schools/day care centers like in your city? Have you compared English versus Spanish schools? If so, did you notice a difference like I did? How are you weighing your options?

{Photo by barnabywasson}

That’s why I was excited to find out that KCET, local public TV station for Central and Southern California, and The Jim Henson Company have teamed up to bring us all 41 episodes of Sid The Science Kid in Spanish. The Spanish-language episodes of this preschool show that promotes exploration and science readiness in a kid-friendly way started airing last week.  Now, that’s great news! Well, but only if you live in the KCET broadcast area…sorry.

It’s still good to know that the initiative has been taken and I’m sure it won’t be long before your local public TV station picks it up. Give them a call and nudge them to do it.

In any case, we’re happy to share a full episode of Sid el Niño Científico. Just click on this link to watch the episode “Mis zapatos se están encogiendo” and some other fun clips.

While you wait for the episode to load, we invite you to meet Moises Román. Moises appears regularly on the PBS child care information series Los Niños en su Casa as Imagination and Creativity Expert. He is also the educational advisor for “Sid the Science Kid,” produced by The Jim Henson Company and KCET. Román is a renowned advocate of child care and early childhood education. He’s also the proud father to a trilingual boy.

Could you please tell us about your participation in the Spanish version of Sid the Science Kid?

I have been involved in Spanish language Los Niños en Su Casa on KCET and public television, but my involvement on Sid has been on the original English version, in advising on the science learning in the program and in the design of the curriculum that is the basis for Sid.

In your expert opinion, what is the educational value of a show like Sid the Science Kid for young children?

The value of a show like Sid is that it gives children a gentle introduction to early science learning. It introduces children to science concepts that will help make connections about how the world around them works. It teaches children to wonder, ask questions, and critically think about ideas that children typically have.

Why was the decision made to create a Spanish version?

From the beginning, we have hoped to have a Spanish language version of the program, because KCET wanted to make it available to Spanish speaking adults and children. When we had available a very well produced Spanish dubbed version, KCET was delighted to be able to broadcast the program. KCET will also use the Spanish version in its outreach with parents.

Tell us what, other than the language, will set the Spanish version apart from the original English version?

As an additional benefit, we think English-speaking students who are learning Spanish will find the programs very helpful. The program is the same, except for the language. It had always been designed with a multi-cultural cast. Teacher Susie is Latina, as is Gabriella and her family.

How many children do you have and are you raising them bilingual and/or bicultural? If yes, explain how.

I have an 11-month-old boy and he is being raised to speak three languages. He is Mexican and Chinese so he is first learning to speak his two home languages. His mom speaks to him in Chinese and I speak to him in Spanish at home. In his preschool, he is learning English since he started about two months ago. We strongly believe that our child should be familiar with both cultures as well as speak the languages associated with each.

Any tips on how parents can utilize educational TV as a learning tool?

Parents can use educational TV in several ways. Parents can start by co-viewing the show with their children to guide their children through the content that is being offered. Another way that parents can use educational TV is to extend the learning from what was offered on the show. For example to extend the learning, the parents can simply take a child outside to further investigate a concept that has been introduced on the show. If parents need help on how to extend the learning, kcet.org has a section for parents and teachers to get ideas on how to extend the learning.