Carnaval in Guatemala, like in many other cultures around the world, is a tradition of religious origin, which is celebrated on Fat Tuesday, right before the start of Lent . In most parts of Guatemala we don’t have a huge celebration like Mardi Gras in New Orleans or Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro. Two exceptions … Read more
This post may contain affiliate links. Valentine’s is a great opportunity to teach children about love, about friendship and about caring about others. Here are 10 Spanish and bilingual Spanish/English books that teach about relationships and about caring. BOOKS IN SPANISH ONLY El Libro Magico de la Amistad/ The Magic Book of Friendship Valeria Varita, a … Read more
Blending Baby Teeth Traditions When I was a little girl growing up in Guatemala I would leave my baby teeth under my pillow for the Ratoncito (little mouse) to come and take them during the night and leave me money. My oldest daughter, Ariane, lost her first tooth soon after her 6th birthday and to … Read more
Your child learns language in a natural way through conversations. Here are some ideas to improve communication in any language. Listen to your child. Let your child know that his stories and conversation are interesting to you. Make comments and ask questions that encourage him to explain and talk about what he is doing. When … Read more
More Fun and practical ideas to encourage learning about your native language and culture: Prepare traditional foods regularly and involve your children in the process. Talk about the process and describe what you are doing as you cook. Take advantage of this opportunity to tell stories about your country, your family and how you learn … Read more
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT LEARNING TWO LANGUAGES AT AN EARLY AGE If I mix English and my native language my child will get confused. Children can differentiate between two different languages from an early age. It is part of the development of a dual language learner to learn some words in one language and other words … Read more
I just love October and love Halloween. It’s such a fun time of the year. I have always liked dressing up and now that I have children I enjoy it even more. Being bicultural and bilingual gives us the opportunity to blend traditions and I have to say Halloween and El Día de Los Muertos really … Read more
There are many fun ways in which you can promote learning about language and culture. Here are just a few. Sing songs in your home language. Play music from your country, sing in your native language and dance. One of the best ways to learn language is through songs. Music not only makes memorization of new … Read more
Teach By Example: Value Your Culture The first step to raising bilingual children is to recognize the value of your culture and your language. Make a conscious decision that you are willing to invest the time and energy to keep your traditions, beliefs, and language alive in your home. Speak Your Native Language at … Read more
If you’ve been curious about the advantages of raising bilingual children, you’re in the right place. In this article, I’ll share why raising kids with two languages is such a gift, what science says about the bilingual brain, and — most importantly — practical tips you can use at home to make bilingualism fun and … Read more
