Learning Spanish With A Toddler

We have a map of the world on our wall at home.

It was a gift from a fellow homeschooling mom. 

Every time we visit a new state or country, we "scratch off" the country and flag.

I believe cultivating an imagination will bring children far in life. So we daydream, together. 

This is not the exact map, but you get the idea:

Every time we daydream my girl points to Russia as where she wants to visit. Every time I ask her why there? Her response is pretty spot on for a 4 year old: because it's the biggest one (on the map). 

Running a business while homeschooling is tough. Having a toddler makes it that much harder. I do my best to set up our day so she knows what to expect. 

On this particular day, I had a Zoom meet up with a company based in Spain. So I hyped her up about it. She is usually too shy to get on camera, but she is not too far lurking while momma works.

I have read to her since she was a baby, both in English and Spanish. I am no where near conversational, but I would like to get there one day. 

She never really had interest in learning basic words because as she got older " that's not a word momma!" She had never heard someone speak anything other than English. We live in a village. Literally. Everyone speaks English.

BUT

Then we started spending more time in Orlando. A much bigger, international city.

And we are the odd balls (I love it btw!). Everyone here speaks another language. 

And Finley noticed.

Our neighbors in Orlando are Puerto Rican, Dominican and Cuban. She hears them speak in Spanish everyday. 

And NOW she's interested. 

She's learned:
estufa= stove
red= rojo

Well, those are the words she can remember.

She regularly asks me to teach her " that other words."

Before my call I let her know if she needed something, she would have to wait until I was done with the call. She ALWAYS wants to know who, what why? Here's how our conversation went:

​Me to Finn: sis, today mom has a meeting with someone in Spain.

Finn: where's that?

Me: you know that big country you always point to on the map at home? It's underneath that place.

Finn: ohhhhh
​
Me: do you know what language they speak?

Finn: SPANISH!! (we've been learning some Spanish words)

Me: yes!

Finn: ohhhhhh

Me: can you help me speak to the lady?

Finn: ***blank stare***

Me: you've been practicing Spanish! Come on, sis!

Finn: NOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Me: can you help me, sis?

Finn: ****blank stare***
​
I am pretty sure she's telling me I am on my own with this one lol

I write this to remind you that piquing your child's interest is the key to getting them to want to learn. Making it exciting for them. Showing them your excitement to learn with them. 

I know I don't do well with being forced to do something, do you?

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