By: Christie Santodomingo
I was dancing in a circle the other day with my eighteen month old at the Issaquah Highlands playgroup singing, “Mi cuerpo, mi cuerpo, hace musica! I looked at all of the other, smiling and laughing moms, dads (yes, there were two dads!), and nannies thinking, “How lucky are we to have thirty minutes of Spanish songs, stories, dancing and bubbles lead by such a fantastic teacher all for free- without having to leave the neighborhood!
Natalia Santi, an Issaquah Highlands mother of two who was born in Argentina, captures the attention of infants to three year olds with her fun songs, puppets, cut-out spiders, books, and movement every Friday from 10-10:30am at the Highlands playgroup. Hearing the language revitalizes my high school years of Spanish class and I find myself singing the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” in Spanish at home over the weekend.
So what are the benefits of exposing these wee ones to a second language? In an article entitled, First Words Second Languages, Nancy Rhodes, Director of Foreign Language Education at the Center of Applied Linguistics says, “It introduces a child to another culture, another way of saying things, and that we’re all living in a global society.” She adds that the best way for little children to learn languages is through games, songs, and stories similar to the ones we hear and play at the playgroup. According to Theresa Sullivan Caccavale, president of the National Network for Early Language Learning, in an article entitled, Cognitive Benefits of Learning Language, research shows that learning a second language enhances critical thinking skills, creativity, and an open mind in young children. These benefits are true for learning any language, not just Spanish, in addition to the first language.
If you are a parent/caregiver who would like to incorporate a second or third language into your child’s life, come join us Fridays at the Issaquah Highlands playgroup at Blakely Hall from 9:30-11:00am. For more info on the playgroup go to: www.eastside-family-guide.com/Highlandsplaygroup.html.
We hope to see you there!
