We run a variety of extra-curricular classes for our pre-schoolers, including short, simple Spanish lessons.
Would you like your little one to speak another language? For young children learning language is part of their natural development – and research shows that children’s brains soak up information like a sponge.
To help take advantage of this wonderful learning window, our pre-schoolers (three-year-olds to five-year-olds) can take part in a fun, interactive weekly Spanish class.
The lessons currently run every Tuesday morning and are taught by Nardeth Farhall, a native Spanish speaker and language tutor. As many of our pre-schoolers take part in the lesson, the children are divided into three groups.
Nardeth says:
[pb_blockquote>]The lessons are delivered in short bursts of 20-minutes. This is because children have an amazing ability to absorb information but also short attention spans. Keeping the lessons brief allows them to digest the words and then it’s back to playing and running around!”
Alongside learning basic Spanish words and phrases, the classes help develop children’s social skills and concentration. The children also sit in a group at a table, helping prepare them for primary school teaching.”[/pb_blockquote]
Spanish Lessons – What’s Involved?
A typical lesson comprises:
• Introduction – The children learn how to say hello, their name and how old they are in Spanish.
• Core – Learning the Spanish alphabet, sounds and key word groups, such as, numbers, colours and shapes.
The children play games, such as, spotting and naming shapes around the nursery in Spanish. They may also learn the names of animals and words and customs associated with seasonal events like Easter and Christmas.
• End – To close the lesson the group sing Spanish children’s songs, such as, ‘Los Pollitos’ (‘Chicks’) and ‘Mariana’, a catchy counting song.
The extra-curricular lesson is available for our funded pre-schoolers who receive free early education funding. We’ll let you know when your child is eligible, which is usually the first term after your child turns three.
In the meantime, if you’d like any further information, please do come and talk to us.