Fortunately for families, there are a number of completely free educational resources online. As a full-time homeschooling family, I have found that these free resources can be just as beneficial (if not more so) than some of the standard workbook type programs. Here is a list of my top 5 favorite free homeschooling resources for elementary students:

PBSKids.com

PBSKids.com is a fantastic site for fun and educational games. The site is definitely appealing to small children and easy to use. The games focus on a variety of topics from basic grammar, reading, and math skills to computer skills. The website features all the popular characters from PBS cartoons and is packaged in a way that encourage kids to learn while playing.

Along with educational games, the site has a full list of videos and programming. You can watch PBS Kids shows and snippets from the site and then play corresponding games. Martha Speaks is a favorite in our house.

Starfall

Starfall.com is a free public service company that helps teach children how to read with phonics. Starfall is a great alternative to learning for children and is designed specifically with preschool-2nd graders in mind. This program is also used by many homeschooling families for phonics curriculum as well as children with special needs.

The site is separated into sections: Learn to Read, Fun to Read, and I Can Already Read. This makes it easy to determine where to start with your child. According to Starfall creators: “Our method of instruction motivates children in an atmosphere of imagination and enthusiasm, provides opportunities for child-directed instruction, and supports English language learners and struggling readers learning alongside their peers.”

ABCya

ABCya.com is perfect for those kids who want to brush up on their computer skills while touching on core subjects like math and reading. The site is separated out by grade level and incorporates programs for those Kindergarten through 5th grade. Simply click your student’s grade level to begin. All of the activities were created – or approved – by certified school teachers. The games are free and are modeled from primary grade lessons and enhanced to provide an interactive way for children to learn.

Cookie

Cookie.com is another fantastic website dedicated to fun, colorful, and educational games that will hold your child’s attention. You can choose from a variety of subject areas and grade levels. Cookie also provides free printable exercises you can do with your child. Play the online games or print off some worksheets to take the lesson away from the computer.

Mother Nature Herself

The ultimate free learning resource is Mother Nature herself. What better way to learn than going out and doing? From insect life cycles to weather patterns, there are so many lessons that Mother Nature can provide. Setup some experiments or just let your child ask questions about the world around them. You can turn a day in the park into an educational opportunity by discussing the animals, plants, or even people you see.

Little minds are curious minds. Don’t let your child’s mind stop working just because it is summer. What fun ways do you incorporate learning into your child’s break?

This online service is a comprehensive suite of services, tools and resources aimed at closing the skills gap in the American workforce. It works to help students build a career plan and develop skills and competencies required for their desired careers.

Phoenix Career Services, which includes innovative career interest and job market research tools, helps prospective and current students make informed decisions regarding the career paths and degree programs they choose by surveying their interests first and cross referencing them with job openings and employment activity in their specific geographic area.

Here are just a few of the amazing tools I’ve had the opportunity to explore:

• Career Interest Profiler: This interactive, quick assessment offers potential and existing students a way to identify their professional interests and related careers to better focus their career search. After taking the assessment (which consists of a series of interests that you can freely change the order from greatest to least) I got the following results and possible career matches:

• Job Market Research Tool: The goal of this tool is to provide potential and existing students with current and recent job and labor market information. With this information students can understand the demand and typical salary information for their best-fit career. They can also see common career paths – which were culminated from thousands of career transitions. So for San Diego, a social media strategist displays the following information:

• My Career Plan: Once a student is enrolled at University of Phoenix, she can complete the development of her personalized roadmap with a detailed plan for her academic journey. This plan includes helping the student understand how her coursework can prepare her to pursue her desired career, which is informed by what leading employers are seeking in their workforce. My Career Plan building activities include:

•  Career Interests Profiler
• Competencies
• Work Culture Preferences                                   
• Reasoning Abilities

Additionally, students can build their competencies through Competency Development Tips and manage their career through Career Development Tasks provided through the career plan.

In addition to Phoenix Career Services, University of Phoenix also has developed a Financial Plan. This helps interested students estimate tuition and fees for their entire degree program and build a personal plan for how they will pay for it. The Financial Plan displays the estimated monthly payment for any loans built into the plan, so that the student understands the implications of his or her borrowing prior to enrolling. You can even explore options to help you finance your education such as employer reimbursement programs.

The Social Moms community has this to say about the new Phoenix Career Services and higher education:

• Sunshine and Sippy Cups likes the focus of University of Phoenix. “The tools make sure that you choose a field that you love, and that you have clear goals in mind for what you’ll be using your degree for once you graduate. Everything you do is focused on helping you find the perfect career for YOU. Because, while I loved my experience at University of Phoenix, I’m not going to lie – going back to school is a lot of work. I got pregnant partway through, and remember taking Advanced Algebra exams while bouncing a fussy baby on one knee. But, when you know WHY you’re going to school, and are excited about what you’ll be doing afterwards, it’s much easier to keep that momentum and motivation, knowing it will all be worth it!”
• SheScribes feels the site is the perfect tool for exploring her back-to-school options. “I am grateful for Phoenix Career Services. The various services they offer have helped me to not only explore different career and degree options, but have also opened my eyes to what kind of jobs are available with certain degrees, salaries, available jobs local to me and so much more. Best of all, these career interest and job market research tools are open to EVERYONE, not just University of Phoenix students or alumni.”
• Midwestern Moms says it’s important to keep your skills fresh. “I have always been a strong advocate for higher education. Even now that I work from home, I am able to run my own business because of the education that I’ve received. I feel it is important to keep my skills fresh since I work with technology and social media. In my career, things are constantly changing and I feel that furthering education helps me adapt so that I will be able to continue to grow my business.”

Make sure to follow University of Phoenix on Facebook and Twitter. After reading the article, which University of Phoenix tools would be most beneficial to you?  Leave a comment below for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card! (See official rules for details)

But there’s help. Jenny Gudmundsen in her new book, iPad Apps For Kids For Dummies^®, offers parents a reliable resource for choosing the best apps for their kids. As a respected USA TODAY Kid-Tech columnist, Jenny has tested a host of apps and offers parents an objective view of  the best apps for kids of all ages. Here’s a review of five of her favorite free iPad apps for kids:

Squiggles! (Free US/CAN/UK, Ages 3-6, Lazoo Worldwide, Inc.).

Most young children like to draw, making this app a winner. Squiggles provides a fail-proof drawing playground that allows kids to paint with their fingers. A scene is presented that needs a squiggle, and the app then demonstrates how to do it. For example, kids may be asked to draw the mane on a lion, the exhaust on a car, or the wool on a lamb. Once the drawing is complete, the player hits the “Go” button, and the squiggles begin to animate.

“The app also lets you take a photo and add squiggles to it, and includes an interactive story adventure,” adds Gudmundsen. “I love that this app teaches kids that by using their creativity, drawings can become anything they can imagine.”

Alien Assignment (Free US/CAN/UK, Ages 4-8, Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College).

This fun app takes kids on a scavenger hunt to take photos using the iPad. An alien family, called the Gloops, has just crashed-landed on earth and needs the child’s help in repairing their spaceship. Not knowing what’s available, the Gloops’ on-board computer asks the child to take pictures of what’s around them so it can figure out how to replicate things to fix the ship. New requests are given each time the game is played.

“By playing this app, kids learn to solve problems and think creatively,” Gudmundsen says. “They must reflect upon everyday objects in new and different ways. Another great aspect of this app is that after kids take the requested number of photos (you can set it to be between 4 and 20), they are asked to ‘show your grown-up’ the photos. This provides you an opportunity to interact with your child and talk about why they chose the objects.”

LEGO Creationary (Free US/CAN/UK, Ages 5-10, The LEGO Group).

LEGO lovers will jump at the chance to play this game which tests how quickly you can determine what specific object is being built with LEGO bricks. Categories of items being built (nature, vehicles, buildings, things, and two random options) are determined by a roll of the die at the start of the game. Four different completed objects appear in each corner of the screen with the object being built in the center. The player has to tap the correct corner object before the center one is completed to win the game.

“The building is superfast so that kids need to use observation skills, imagination, and knowledge of Lego-building to be successful,” Gudmundsen notes. “Don’t miss this one if you have a Lego aficionado who enjoys high-adrenaline fun. It will help your kids hone their observation skills and quick thinking.”

Scribble Press (Free US/CAN/UK, Ages 6 and up, Scribble Press).

This free app is great for budding writers. Kids are able to write and illustrate their own books and share them on the iPad (with your permission, of course) on the moderated Scribble Press server for other kids to view and enjoy. Links to email, Facebook and Twitter are also available to allow kids to share their work with friends and family. Completed books can also be stored in your iBooks bookshelf.

“This app provides 50 story templates to help your child on her path to becoming an author,” comments Gudmundsen. “The templates provide a framework for kids in which some of the story is already written, and all they have to do is add in their own details. In addition to writing, kids are encouraged to add their own artwork or photos.”

Awesome Eats (Free US/CAN/UK, Ages 6 and up, Whole Kids Foundation).

Learning about healthy eating can be fun with the use of this free app. Awesome Eats is a fast-paced game that allows kids to learn how eating can be healthy while sorting life-like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. At each level of the game, kids are asked to move the food characters from one conveyor belt to another to eventually get the food in the correct box at the end.

“In between each of the 32 levels, the app presents kids with interesting nuggets of information about good nutrition,” Gudmundsen explains. “It’s one of my favorite free apps because it’s fun to play, teaches kids about healthy eating, and doesn’t contain ads or in-app purchases.”

If you’re looking for ways to educate and entertain your kids using your iPad, these five apps are a good start. What’s great is that they are just a small sample of all the free apps reviewed in Gudmundsen’s book, and many more can be found by searching the App Store or the internet.

We often refer to orange juice, lemon juice, or tomato products as ‘acidic’ but do you (or your child) really know what that means?  If there are acidic items in our kitchen what do we call those items that are NOT acidic?  The acidity of a liquid is measured on a scale of 0 to 14 and is called a solution’s pH.  Items with a low pH number are acidic and those with a high pH number are basic.  Items in the middle of the scale are called neutral.

What does the word pH mean?  pH is a measure of the activity of the hydrogen ions within a solution.  This can get a little complicated but if you want a detailed description of what pH really means you can check out Wikipedia.  Pure water is neutral, with a pH of 7.0.  Vinegar and lemon juice are acidic substances (low pH), while laundry detergents and ammonia are basic (high pH).

It is relatively easy to check the acidity of a solution by using a pH indicator that you can make in your own kitchen from red cabbage!  Red cabbage contains a pigment called flavin that turns different colors based on its pH.  This water-soluble pigment is also found in apple skin, plums, poppies, cornflowers, and grapes.  Very acidic solutions will turn the pigment red (or pink), neutral solutions result in a purplish color and basic solutions appear slightly greenish-yellow.

Once you have the cabbage juice indicator ready it is easy (and lots of fun) to determine which item’s in your kitchen are basic, neutral or acidic!

First, make the cabbage juice indicator:

1. Chop one head of red cabbage into small pieces until you have about 2 cups
2. Place the cabbage in a large glass bowl and add boiling water to cover the cabbage.
3. Allow at least ten minutes for the color to leach out of the cabbage.
4. Alternatively, you can place about 2 cups of cabbage in a blender, cover it with boiling water, and blend it.
5. Filter out the cabbage and you are left with a red-purple-bluish colored liquid. This liquid is at about pH 7 (neutral).

Now check the pH of common household liquids:

1. Add a small amount of cabbage juice indicator into a glass or test tube if you have them (check out Steve Spangler for supplies.  They also offer a premade red cabbage juice indicator if you don’t want to make your own.)
2. Add a small amount of various household liquids and note the color change that occurs.

Take it Further: 

To take this experiment one step further, teach your child the fun of graphing and make a chart of your solutions and their pH.  You can also test to see how much water you need to add BACK to your experiment to neutralize the pH back to pH 7.  Is it possible?

*note:  take care when using household ingredients in science experiments.  If you are using orange juice and milk you are pretty safe but if you choose to use household cleaners like ammonia or other strong solutions please invest in the proper eye protection.  Also, do not mix assorted household products together for this experiment.

First Book, a non-profit committed to ending this disparity, developed a list of “10 Books Every Child Should Own” to draw attention to the critical need for new books for kids in need. First Book invited people of all ages to vote online for the title they would like to see be the 100 millionth book provided to schools and other programs serving low-income communities – from “Green Eggs and Ham” to “Where the Wild Things Are.”

On Thursday, Nov. 15, the book receiving the most votes will be announced as First Book’s 100 millionth book.  Click here to find out which title won!  While 100 million books is a great accomplishment, there is much more work ahead.

For children to flourish as productive adults in a literate world, they need ongoing access to a rich array of quality books, educational resources and experiences. Millions of American children are still waiting for that chance.

‘Photo by McGrath Photo’

About First Book
First Book is a unique organization that provides access to new, high-quality books and other educational resources at low or no-cost to schools and programs serving children in need. Over the last 20 years, the organization has provided an innovative and sustainable solution for filling the resource gap and transforming learning environments for kids in need. First Book has provided almost 100 million books for kids from birth through age 18 – from picture books to college prep. The organization has reached more than 40,000 schools, libraries, day cares, shelters and other programs. Unfortunately, this is less than 2% of the eligible schools and programs that serve millions of children, children who don’t have books at home, at their schools or in their community.  You can help by giving the gift of reading this holiday season.  A $25 donation means 10 books to a child in need.  Learn more here.

This is more than not having a bedtime story.  (Although, can you imagine your childhood without your favorite book?)  This is about a basic tool to help kids learn, and to bridge an enormous divide between information haves and have nots – which impacts millions of kids right here in the U.S.  Books are the key to unlocking kids’ futures, to support learning, understanding and to prepare kids for jobs and life.

If you know a teacher or other professional who works with kids in need, please let them know about the opportunity to register with First Book to choose new books for free or at dramatically reduced costs. Encourage them to sign up by visiting www.firstbook.org and be sure follow First Book on Twitter and Facebook. 

SocialMoms is also helping celebrate with a prize of our own! Five lucky moms chosen randomly by SocialMoms will be able to donate a package of the top 10 classic books every child should own to a school or program serving low income children through First Book. SocialMoms will also give away a $100 Visa gift card to one random winner. What was your favorite book from childhood?  Just leave a comment below to enter for a chance to win.  (Official rules)

The Not-So-Magical Floating Paperclip

Have you ever gone for a walk with your child and stopped to visit a pond along the way?  Often times, you’ll see small bugs skimming the surface of the water.  These water striders understand something very important about the water they are standing on:  Water molecules are STRONG.  The molecules of water can cling tight to one another in order to hold something up. In nature, it could be a bug or small leaf on the surface of a pond.  In your kitchen, you can show your child how strong water molecules are by floating a paperclip on it.  You will need patience and a steady hand for this experiment … who will float the paper clip first: You or your child?

Materials:

• Wide shallow cups
• Paperclips
• Paper towels
• Dish soap
• Q-tip

Directions:

• Drop a paper clip into the water. What happens?
• Next, try to gently lay a paperclip flat on the surface of the water. If you are very careful you should be able to get the paper clip to float! Be patient!
• Now, touch a Q-tip onto the surface of the water an inch or two away from the paper clip.  Does the paperclip move? Remove the Q-tip.
• Put a drop of liquid soap on the tip of the Q-tip and touch the surface of the water. Observe what happens!

What should happen?

When you first drop a paper clip in the water, it sinks.  If you are steady and patient, you should be able to float a paper clip on the surface of the water but the addition of dish soap to your experiment will cause the paper clip to drop to the bottom.

Explanation:

Water is made up of MOLECULES just like a brick house is made up of bricks.  The attraction of molecules towards one another is similar to the way a magnet is attracted to metal.   Water molecules hold on very tightly to one another.  The attraction of molecules towards one another at the surface of the water creates a sort of ‘skin’ that allows the paper clip to float.  This is called SURFACE TENSION.   When you added the dish soap, the bonds between the water molecules were broken which is why the paper clip sunk to the bottom of the cup.

Take it further:

There are many ways to study these concepts in more detail.  Take a walk with your child and see if you can find bug on the surface of a pond that are taking advantage of the water’s surface tension.  Or, you can see how many paper clips your water’s surface will hold before they all sink. Does the shape of the paperclip effect how it floats?  Try different liquids like apple juice or milk.  Which ones have the strongest surface tension?

Make science a hands on learning experience and your children will enjoy it!

I looked at preschools like other people look at colleges. Hey, kids are only three-years-old once right? I wanted to make sure they were in an environment of nurturing, creative skill-building, support, arts and the right mix of academics.

Here’s some items to consider when looking at preschools.

1.  Start with proximity. If your child is only going to be in a pre-k for 2.5 or 3 hours, you simply don’t want to drive too far. Therefore, decide your radius and make a list of all the schools in that range to visit.

2. Ask around. The best schools have a reputation that precedes them. Get referrals from friends, co-workers and other moms you meet. The children’s room and children’s librarian at your local library may also have a listing of preschools or information on individual local schools.

3.  Don’t make an instant decision regarding a church school vs. a private school. They both have advantages and disadvantages and are largely based on their head teachers style of teaching. However, most church preschools do incorporate some religion in their lessons or prayer before snacks. If that is unacceptable to you, stick with a private school.

4. Call to schedule appointments when school is in session to see how it is run and what the children are doing.  Of course, that’s not possible in the summer but  you can look in the spring for the following fall. Some people put babies on wait lists for particular schools they want, so you can even look if your child is still crawling.

5.  Identify your priorities as far as teaching style. Some schools are more play-based and rely on a lot of drama, songs and group interaction. Others are more academic. And still others are a blend of both. Then there’s Montessori, Waldorf, Bank Street and other styles of teaching. Doing your research will help you learn about these styles and decide if it’s a good fit for your child.

6. Have your list of questions ready. Take a pen and take notes because if you are anything like me, you’ll mix up one school with another when trying to recall all the info three months later. Bring all applications, brochures and pertinent info home with you so when you make a decision, you can fill your forms and mail or drop them at the school.

Here are some questions you should consider asking:

What is the teacher-child ratio? ( Ideally you don’t want more than 1:7 for 3 or 4 year olds.)

Is the school accredited  and licensed with the state? Are the teachers certified? (Each state may have different rules regarding this, but personally I prefer at least 1 teacher to have gone to college for early childhood education.)

What are the drop off and pick up rules? Some schools let you walk children in, others don’t. If this is important to you, make sure you understand their policies.

Does my child need to be fully potty trained? Also inquire if they “help” a child in the bathroom or if the child must do it all alone.

How are the toys and the rooms cleaned and how often? Yes, some of us moms are a bit germ-o-phobic and would like to know that rooms are cleaned in a timely manner and with safe products.

What is your sick policy? Many schools do not allow a sick child there, or if they become sick in the day, require them to be picked up right away. However a strict sick policy can keep your child from getting sick.

What sort of arts and music program do you have? Young children learn through movement, song and hands-on activities.

Are parents encouraged to stop in unannounced? This is important to me since it shows there is nothing to hide and shows a willingness to let parents be part of the school community.

Are snacks served or do parents send them in? What sort of policy do you have regarding food allergies? Is healthy snacking encouraged?

Does the school use computers in daily schedules? Some parents may want this, others don’t. For me, my kids went on the computer at home so I wanted a pre-school that was group activity based, not sitting on a computer by themselves.

Is there an outdoor area for activities? Do they go outside everyday (weather permitting)? What do they do on rainy days? Some schools have indoor play rooms separate from the classroom where the kids have more freedom to move. Other schools do a mini exercise/dance session to release that energy.

8. Evaluate the cleanliness of the school, identify emergency exits, smoke alarms, wash stations/sinks and bathrooms. Choose a school where the kids and parents all seem happy, where you feel a warmth and genuine passion from the teaching staff and where you like the teaching style and day-to-day lessons planned.

There’s nothing like a happy child in a nurturing environment being given the chance to grow, explore and bloom as the individuals they are .

Some schools have teacher appreciation days; other teachers never receive the recognition they deserve for their hard work. There are many small easy ways to appreciate and recognize the teacher in your child’s life. Teachers spend countless hours with the children and it is nice to recognize them for all of their hard work. The small little things you can do to make them feel appreciated will mean a lot to them as they start the year off.

Many kids come home with welcome baskets or welcome bags from their new teacher to welcome them into their classroom. Why not purchase a small gift for their teacher as well?

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Cookie Gift Baskets

Find a gift basket that is personalized for a teacher. Gift Baskets are useful for a teacher since once the food is gone, the basket may be used for storage or other items.

2. Personalized Mugs

A great idea for the teacher who loves their coffee in the morning. Most teachers like to keep a beverage in the classroom while teaching. Be thoughtful with a personalized mug with their own name on it to display on their desk. You can even fill it with goodies or a gift certificate when your child takes it in.

3. A Unique Wall Clock

One way to impress is to purchase a unique wall clock for the teacher to display on their wall for all to see and enjoy. Since everything is scheduled in school, a wall clock will be most beneficial. It will definitely be a gift the teacher can enjoy day in and day out. With many different wall clocks to choose from, find one that best suites the style of your teacher and their classroom.

4. Games for the Classroom

Many teachers like to include a game shelf in their classrooms for rainy days. For teachers of older students, a great trivia game is a wonderful idea.

5. The Essential Tote

Teachers are known for carrying tote bags. Why not choose a special one as a gift? You can even add a personal touch. Take note on the colors around the teachers room if your not certain of the style and color of tote to purchase. It’s always nice to go with a neutral color with a monogram. Find a tote that has pockets for all of the teacher’s accessories.

Overall whatever you choose be sure to include a nice thank you card signed by your child with your gift.

Here are some easier ways to save money this back to school shopping season!

1. Delay some purchases.

Get the basics necessary for the first day, but remember that the kids really don’t need every single supply immediately. I’ve been known to send in some items weeks after school starts. For example; My teacher called for a box of tissues from each child (for classroom supply). That meant 25 boxes on the first day. Instead I sent a note letting the teacher know I’d send in a few boxes in December when colds are more prevalent.

2. Know your prices.

If a marbled notebook is on sale at 2 for $3.00 at one store, it could very well be 50 cents at a discount store. Try to remember which stores offer the best prices consistently and do your shopping there. Big retailers like Wal-Mart and Target often offer the best prices but office supply stores can be good too. Don’t forget the dollar stores for certain items too.

3. Know what’s in demand.

For middle schoolers with lockers, you may want to buy supplies early. By the time I went, the office store was out of locker shelves and locker mirrors.

4.  Keep some inventory at home.

Take inventory of art and school supplies you have at home before shopping. I have no problem sending in colored pencils that are almost full length and not in a brand new box. I’m sure most teachers wouldn’t mind this.

5. Buy extra.

If your combined school lists call for 7 folders, get 10 or even 12. Folders break fast around here. Stock up on loose leaf, pencils, glue sticks and erasers if possible.

6. Make the list and keep it with you.

As you buy each item, cross it out or delete it from your phone so you can clearly see what you have left to purchase. This way you don’t buy extras and have to trek back to the store to return them.

7. Separate wants from needs.

Especially for clothing … Most kids will need new shoes, new socks and some basics. Name brands may be a “want” and you can budget for special items.

8. Wait on the shoes.

Sometimes kids can grow a whole size in the summer, or more. Hold off on buying a new pair until closer to school. Same thing with pants, though many kids do start the year off in shorts, so you can buy pants in the early fall.

9. Comparison shop online.

Online shopping has saved me more than once.  Instead of searching stores for the particular style and size backpack my middle schooler wants, I head to Amazon and browse their great selection of sizes and colors.

10. Remember thrift shops.

For high-quality, previously owned clothes, visit a thrift or consignment shop that sells higher-end clothing. If you are on a budget your child can still feel like they are getting some new clothes and you can buy many more outfits.

11. Save even more on clothing. 

If your state has a tax-free week, you may want to head out shopping at that time (even if it means fighting the crowds). The savings can really add up!

How do you save when it comes to back-to-school?

The most common type of dual language class is the Two-Way approach.  In the Two-Way approach, children from native English-speaking homes and children from native Spanish-speaking homes are placed together in a single classroom. Instruction is conducted in both English and Spanish.

These are not Spanish lessons or English lessons.  Instead, the content is taught in either one language or the other. For example, math may be taught in Spanish and history may be taught in English or vice versa. Typically Language Arts is taught in both languages. The percentage of instruction in English and Spanish varies from a 10/90 split to a 50/50 split.

Children and, more importantly, their parents must understand and be prepared for the commitment they are making to a dual language program.  Since a child must be enrolled for at least four years to gain the full benefits of a dual language program, schools will want the student to participate until approximately fifth grade. This can be a scary decision.

While the benefits of teaching a young child a second language are widely known, offering your child the ability to be instructed in a second language in a school setting is even better than just learning a second language.

Benefits of enrolling your child in a dual language program:

• Studying two languages allows children to learn in one language and transfer those skills to a second language. Thus strengthening BOTH languages.
• Pairing with children from another culture leads to open-mindedness, flexibility, and acceptance of others.
• Children that grow up bilingual will have more opportunities later in life with travel, work, and learning a third or even fourth language.
• Learning a second language builds the cognitive part of the brain. This increases abstract thinking, math and logic skills, as well as problem solving skills. These are all higher level thinking skills that lead to better school achievement.
• Learning in two languages increases metalinguistic awareness (form and structure of language). This enables children to be literate in both languages – not simply bilingual.

Preparation

• In all honesty, no preparation is necessary for the child.  Children are excited but nervous to go to school. This is the same for children entering a dual language program. It is a life transition just like entering a “regular” kindergarten would be.
• Parents may question whether they have made the right choice. There are few (very few) children who do not thrive in a dual language classroom. Don’t second guess your decision. Believe you made the right choice; research shows you have!
• Many children will feel more comfortable if they have some prior knowledge in Spanish but it is not necessary. As a family, begin to show a value for the second language.
• Some families like to take advantage and begin learning Spanish together at home. Start by simply labeling some typical items around the house.  Progress together a little at a time.
• Understand language takes time to acquire.  Don’t expect miracles. Remember how long it took your child to speak properly in English. Second language acquisition follows the same process. Your child will first begin using single words, then simple phrases. It will be a long time before they begin using complete sentences. Be patient.
• Do not make your child a parrot.  Ask him or her to use the new language in context, instead of something they have to do when asked. This embarrasses children and can hold them back from using their new language.

Fears and Questions from parents who considered dual language.

What if I can’t help my child?

• Most teachers have direct access to email from work and home. Keep the lines of communication open and be honest about your fears. If they have a website, ask the teacher if they can write important things on the website in both languages for parents. For parents who only know one language, the teacher should be able to accommodate your needs. Note:  They will not do this on papers for the children since the children are working in both languages.
• Your child will most likely know what the teacher wants them to do on any homework, even if the directions are in Spanish. If you can’t figure it out, help your child do their best and return it with a note to the teacher telling him/her you didn’t know what to do. Do NOT skip the homework because you aren’t sure what to do. This could send a bad message to your child and give them an out from doing other homework.

Will my child confuse the languages?

• No, children know when the teacher is using Spanish and when the teacher is using English. Your child will switch back and forth in the same way as a completely bilingual adult without thinking about “which” language they are using.

Will my child understand what the teacher is saying?

• Teachers in a dual language classroom are specially trained with at least 21 or more extra credit hours than a monolingual teacher. They are also second language learners so they understand your child’s situation.
• Teachers in a dual language classroom use many techniques to teach; body language, visual cues, physical cues etc. to help students understand. And don’t forget about the other children in the class. They are learning together and are partners. As the children communicate together they are helping each other grow in both languages as well.
• Encourage your child to ask questions. Teachers will be able to see in the students’ faces whether they are following a lesson or not but encourage your child to advocate for themself. If they don’t understand, teach them to ask.

How do I know my child is learning enough and how do I support him/her?

• Many cognates (words that are spelled similarly) exist between languages. You will begin seeing these cognates in Social Studies and Science and you will be surprised at how much you will understand.
• We trust our monolingual teachers to prepare our children for the next grade. Dual language teachers follow the same curriculum.
• Support your child by asking him/her to share what they bring home every night. This will give you an idea of what they are learning. A simple conversation with your child regarding their school day will help you see that although the instruction may have been in Spanish they can tell you what they learned in English.
• If you begin to see a lack of understanding or frustration contact the teacher. Quick intervention will take care of these issues.

Will my child fall behind academically because the teacher uses their non-native language?

• Initially children in dual language classrooms may have lower standardized test scores but ultimately they not only score significantly higher than their monolingual peers, but they also acquired a second language for their lifelong use.

How will my school evaluate literacy in both languages?

• Most school districts are using the same standardized tests that monolingual classrooms take in English. Special standardized tests are also available in Spanish. Since every state has different requirements, I can’t answer this question specifically but you will want to verify that they are evaluating reading and writing in both languages annually.

Will my child lose their Spanish when they stop the program?

• Like any learned skill if it isn’t practiced your child may become “rusty” but they will not forget. If they decide later to take more Spanish they will simply need to reinforce what they already learned and it will return from their long-term memory.

How will my child continue their language learning after the program ends in middle school?

• This is a very important question. Make sure you ask this question. You want to make sure your school district has a plan for dual language students as they move through the grades and on to high school. Some schools are now offering more advanced Spanish and the children take the rest of their classes in English. Some school districts are now offering dual language opportunities for their older students who have come through the dual language program.

Remember the benefits of a dual language classroom far outweigh any educational risks for your child. Jump in…believe in the program…support the program and you will raise a child with a great head start on their future.

]]> http://www.socialmoms.com/parenting-2/preparing-your-child-and-you-for-dual-language-kindergarten/feed/ 0