I am SUPER excited! Lately, getting my boys (ages 4 and 7) to learn Spanish or speak what they learned at school was becoming a struggle. As a parent, I want to encourage but not push. But I have a new secret weapon, a fresh spark of enthusiasm, a magic bullet . . . Sing-a-Lingo!
Okay, so I know there’s no such thing as a magic bullet. But I am honest to goodness excited. I speak very, very, very limited Spanish, so I rely heavily on CDs, DVDs, or computer programs. I have reviewed several outstanding language-learning materials, but I have never seen results at home like I’ve seen in the last few weeks. My boys and I sing in the car, dance in the living room, and are now starting to use our new language at mealtime. I’m seeing a sense of joy that I haven’t seen in awhile. You might think that a language-loving mommy would have kids who are also enthusiastic about French and Spanish, but I admit mine are a tough sell. So when they ask for the CD in the car and tell me to turn up the volume, I am a fan for life! My four year-old, especially, began singing in Spanish by Day 2. One morning after listening to the Hola Amigos song on the En Mi Casa CD, he asked his Spanish-speaking assistant teacher, “Como estas?” This was the first time he EVER initiated a Spanish exchange. You can see the video of this song here:
Let me tell you a little more about Sing-a-Lingo. Husband-wife team, Piña and Michael Madera, have created effective, upbeat, fun Spanish music–17 songs in all. There’s a definite cool-factor kids love, with guitars and great rhythms. I find myself humming and singing long after I push the off button. There’s a lot of very necessary repetition, but you don’t even notice it because you’re too busy bopping your head around. There are a ton of opportunities for TPR (Total Physical Response.) What’s truly brilliant about the program is the bigger idea behind the music: a child’s “day-in-the-life”, such as eating, dressing, washing hands, going to bed, etc. As a French language teacher myself, I know that the very BEST programs use high-frequency, relevant language that learners can use in real life. Mission accomplished. As Mom, I’m picking up the expressions I need to naturally incorporate Spanish throughout the day.
The lyrics are 100% Spanish, no code-switching. (Another gold star from me as a language professional.) But as non-Spanish-speaking-Mommy, I appreciate the easy to read bilingual lyrics & the laminated cards that accompany each song. There’s even a bilingual picture book that you can sing with your children along with two songs from the CD.
I’m passing along a Sing-a-Lingo En Mi Casa CD to my son’s preschool teacher. She’s been asking about the recent interest in Spanish. I’ll post again in a few weeks to let you know how it’s working in a preschool setting.
I give Sing-a-Lingo the Foreign Language House stamp of approval! Of course, you might be more interested to know that it was a recipient of the Parent’s Choice Award, 2009 iParenting Media Award and The National Parenting Center (TNPC) Seal of Approval. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to teach their young children Spanish. If you are a Spanish teacher, you surely have parents ask you what they can do to support learning at home. Sing-a-Lingo is the answer.
Visit Sing-a-Lingo at www.singalingo.com.
