May 132013
 
Spanish Stories from Stress Free Kids

Stress Free Kids publishes audio and picture books that help children reduce stress and lower anxiety. These stories are available in Spanish and are fabulous language-learning tools. The stories teach relaxation techniques, but their structure and objective also create an excellent Spanish learning experience. As children listen to these stories, they relax, but they are never passive. Children participate, both physically and by actively using their imaginations. The CD Sueños del océano índigo has four [...]

May 052013
 
Picture Book Giveaway - If You Were Me and Lived in Mexico...

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to the winners, entries 11 and 18, Melissa and Katie. Winners were chosen using random.org. Thank you to everyone who entered and shared how they teach culture. It is fun and inspiring to read about what others are doing with their children and classes. We all learn from each other. ¡Muchas gracias! Award-winning author Carole Roman has written a lovely picture book to introduce young children to the country [...]

May 012013
 
Picture Book Introduces Children to Mexico

Award-winning author Carole Roman has written a lovely picture book to introduce young children to the country and culture of Mexico. If You Were mM and Lived in… Mexico: A Child’s Introduction to Cultures Around the World is intended for ages pre-K through eight. It combines carefully selected information with images crafted to be typical, but never stereotypical. The book is available from Amazon and on the author’s website. In my experience, it is hard [...]

Apr 022013
 
Spanish Curriculum – Spanish Champs

I have had several readers ask for my impression of the Spanish Champs program, so I was thrilled when the company sent me the Level 1 materials to review. This engaging curriculum is for children 2 to 10 years old, with an emphasis on developing oral communication. The curriculum is a 32-week program that is intended to be repeated. A Level 2 curriculum is under development and will be available in the fall. Spanish Champs [...]

Feb 262013
 
Spanish Story – Book from Kids Yoga Stories Teaches Language and Yoga

        I am so excited to be able to share this book with Spanish Playground readers. Sofía en una aventura por la selva (Sophia’s Jungle Adventure) is published by Kids Yoga Stories. The book integrates yoga for children into a story in Spanish and creates an amazing language-learning experience. Yoga poses were inspired by the natural world. Kids Yoga Stories weaves those poses into a picture book. Children do the poses, imitating [...]

Feb 192013
 
Elementary Spanish Curriculum - Sonrisas Spanish School

For the last few months I have had the pleasure of getting to know the Sonrisas Spanish School Preschool and Elementary Curriculum. This beautifully designed, standards-based elementary Spanish curriculum is recognized by language teachers as an effective, engaging program. For over 16 years it has been used throughout the country in schools, after-school programs and for home schooling. The Spanish curriculum is designed for preschool through third grade, but certainly could be used as the [...]

Feb 152013
 
Spanish Curriculum - Spanish for You! Lesson Plans

If you are looking into elementary school curricula, you should know that Spanish for You! has added additional lesson plans to their materials. Spanish for You! is a curriculum for grades 3-8 that can be used for self-study, home school, in classrooms or in after-school programs. It was created by a Spanish teacher as an affordable, easy-to-use program that engages children with the language and also teaches grammar basics. Check out the Spanish for You! [...]

Dec 312012
 
Spanish Songs for Kids – Cantaré Latin American Music for Children

Cantaré, a group based in the Washington D.C. area, performs and records songs in Spanish for children. Led by vocalist Cecilia Esquivel, Cantaré offers a wonderful combination of accessible language and fabulous music to Spanish language learners. You can learn more about Cecilia Esquivel and Cantaré on their website. The award-winning CD ¡Al agua pato! includes traditional childen’s songs, tongue twisters and original compositions. If you are a parent or teacher of children learning Spanish [...]

Dec 142012
 
iPad App for Kids Teaches Spanish Numbers, Letters, Colors

LinguiMind is an iPad app designed to introduce children to numbers, letters and colors in Spanish (and French and English). Like all the best apps for language learning, it takes advantage of the interactive nature of the device to engage kids with the language. This app is for very young children who are just beginning to recognize their letters and numbers. It is skillfully structured so that they actively participate with the language as they [...]

Dec 122012
 
Spanish Songs for Learning Verbs - Sing ‘n Learn Verbs in Spanish

In these songs from the Sing ‘n Speak Spanish curriculum, music and lyrics come together for fun, effective language learning. If you have a child who loves learning Spanish, or a classroom full of them, these songs are going to be a hit. The CDs are part of the curriculum, but they are also sold separately. There is a list of the song titles and the grammar points they deal with at the end of [...]

Dec 072012
 
Spanish Books for Children - Fun Series Teaches Basic Language to Preschoolers

With Christmas coming, I know that lots of us are looking for gifts for Spanish language learners. Parents of my preschool students often ask me to recommend Spanish books to read to their children at home. I always mention this series of board books published by Macmillan Infantil y Juvenil. All of them are available to purchase on Amazon.                                                            These are a few reasons I recommend these books to parents and preschool [...]

Dec 042012
 
Spanish Curriculum Sale - Spanish for You!

Spanish for You! is an elementary Spanish curriculum. If you are considering a curriculum, this is a good time to take a look at Spanish for You! because they are having a holiday sale. Everything is 25% off – just use the discount code “holidaysale.”  You can read more about the curriculum in this post: Spanish Curriculum for Classroom or Home School. Use this link to visit the Spanish for You! site and take advantage [...]