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Any suggestions for teaching my almost 3 year old a foreign language (preferaly spanish)? I am interested in finding a program that does tutoring for her age group or maybe hiring someone to come to the house. I am hoping to find some sort of program that is in a group setting & costs about ....$50- $100 for say 6 weeks of the classes. Sort of how they do the ballet & gymnastic classes.
Any suggestions as to how I would go about finding classes would be greatly appreciated.
Some preschools have spanish in their curriculum, i would look into that.
Or you could find a private tutor on craigslist or an ad in the paper. But just an FYI finding one for $50 for 6 weeks of lessons will be tough. I would say at least in my area a private tutor would cost you at least 150 for 6 weeks, 1 class a week.
Why is it so important to you that your daughter learn spanish if obviously YOU dont speak it or you could teach her yourself?? If she doesnt NEED it now, then just have her watch Dora etc and in Kindergarten MOST teach spanish at least the private schools do.
Depending on where you live, you may find classes for toddlers/preschoolers through private companies or the county. I suggest posting your question in the forum where you live for input on resources in your area.
If you don't have classes readily available, you can expose your child to Spanish through bilingual TV programs (e.g., Dora, Diego, Dragon Tales), music (my daughter loves The Little People CD "Cantemos en Espanol"), Spanish DVDs (Brainy Baby Spanish) or by playing Baby Einstein or other children's DVDs in Spanish (most have this option). Some public libraries offer storytime in Spanish. Another good option is to look for Spanish playgroups in your area. You can even start your own.
Like PP have said, there are preschools that offer Spanish as part of their lessons and many schools offer it starting in grade school.
Some preschools have spanish in their curriculum, i would look into that.
Or you could find a private tutor on craigslist or an ad in the paper.
Why is it so important to you that your daughter learn spanish if obviously YOU dont speak it or you could teach her yourself?? If she doesnt NEED it now, then just have her watch Dora etc and in Kindergarten MOST teach spanish at least the private schools do.
I would stay away from Craigslist. You don't know who you might attract.
It's important because the younger kids learn a second language, the better off they are. It's been proven that bilingual kids do better in school, something to do with the organization of their brains.
You might find a computer program for tots that teach language. Also, depending on where you live, maybe a spanish speaking babysitter.
You could always get yourself a program and teach her yourself as you learn. Words and short phrases could be a starting point, then later find someone to speak to her on a regular basis in spanish. Tots learn second languages best just by listening to it and having conversations; casual exposure.
One class a week isn 't even worth it, honestly. Even with young kids who absorb it, that's not enough to show any results.
It needs to be a day to day thing. I'd look for DVDs of her favorite shows and movies and Spanish and only allow her to watch those- no TV in English. There is a Latin Sesame Street that is excellent- I remember watching it when I started to learn Spanish.
If you don't get any Spanish cable in your town, rent Spanish language cartoons. I never thought I'd ever hear myself say this, but make him watch cartoons on TV for at least an hour a day.
The only way to teach a child Spanish is to speak it to them. I don't recommend TV to teach anything - human contact is best. If you don't speak it, hire a "mommy's helper" or nanny who speaks Spanish and both of you learn it. Immersion's the only way for them to get a real handle on it.
Source: my husband and I are bilingual, and are raising our 2 kids sucessfully bilingual as well. My 12 year old speaks both. My 18 month old is spoken to in both English and Spanish equally. We say things like: "Want some water? Quieres agua?" We literally say everything twice, English/Spanish. It works!
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