Spanish Curriculum for Bilingual Children

[hmrt]

Can anyone recommend a Spanish curriculum for a child (kindergarden age) that's being raised with both Spanish and English in the home? English is by far my daughter's preferred language, but her father, grandparents and babysitter speak to her only in Spanish. She understands everything in Spanish perfectly and speaks some Spanish (although is reluctant at times and doesn't have near the vocabulary or fluency as in English). All the curriculums I see are geared towards having kids learn simple words and phrases that would not be appropriate or useful to her. We do want her to study Spanish in a structured way though. Any suggestions? Thanks for any advice!

[Ohdanigirl]

For that age, I believe you best option would be to start teaching her to read with a kh phonics/reading program.

 

Two programs I am familiar with are:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Juguemos-leer-Lets-Play-Read/dp/6071701368/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1397508752&sr=8-4&keywords=Juguemos+a+leer

 

And

 

http://www.amazon.com/libro-magico-Magic-Spanish-Edition/dp/9681866959/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397508885&sr=8-1&keywords=Mi+libro+majico

 

They are used to teach children to read and write in Mexican schools. The firs one is mostly phonics and reading, and has some copy work. the second is phonics, reading, and plenty of beginning copy work in both script and cursive... Most private schools in Mexico teach cursive from the beginning. The copy work in the second book is all tracing.

 

Honestly, these are the cheap, easy, and thorough. On e she finishes either of these books, you would simply continue on with real books in Spanish. With my children, I also added I. Audio booms in Spanish while they were learning to read. Their vocabulary increased dramatically.

 

HTH.

[hmrt]

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I will have to check them out. I'm wondering if it's better to start reading in Spanish a little later after she has a solid base in reading in English? Or if she could handle them at the same time. Though I know they can separate languages and do each simultaneously with speaking and comprehension, it seems like it might be a little confusing for a beginning reader to work on both. What did you do with your kids? I wonder if I'd be better off starting her reading in Spanish in 1st grade. Any thoughts?

[Ohdanigirl]

I did Spanish first with my youngest three. It is phonetic and much easier to learn.

 

I taught my oldest to read in English first and had an uphill battle with Spanish for ten years. Once he learned to read English, he felt no need for Spanish (despite being in Mexico) and dragged his feet. Eventually he learned to read, speak, and write it, though. It was just more work for mom.

 

I also know people who have done both together with ok results. Each child is different, and yours maybe receptive. In my opinion, if you are already teaching to read in English, wait until phonics are solid before beginning Spanish reading. Also, start putting as much TV and music in a Spanish as possible. Don't make a big deal of it. Just act

Ike it it's completely normal and only available in Spanish. At first your child may protest, but that will likely pass quickly. If you can have the Spanish speakers assist your child in answering them in Spanish, that would help your cause.

 

Do expect you child to protest, insist she does not understand, refuse to speak Spanish, and even act like she is ignoring you. Don't give-up, get exasperated, tell her she has to, or go crazy. You CAN do this and do not have to spend tons of money.

 

IM me anytime. ;)

 

HTH

[linguistmama]

For K I am using Rod and Staff Spanish for the second time right now. It is designed for native speakers. It includes reading, copywork, dictation and some basic grammar. It is very religious if that is a concern. For later grades we switch to Yabisí by Santillana. It is secular which we prefer and is an all in one program that includes reading, grammar, spelling and writing. My dd also reads extra books. Yabisí is used in schools in Puerto Rico.

 

Eta: I teach my children how to read in both languages at the same time.  They have rarely mixed things up.