Home schooling,English or Spanish?

Question

I have a 4 year old girl and im planning on home schooling at least the first two grades .My problem is that i want her to learn spanish but i dont know if i should teach her spanish now and then when she turns five start with english and then give her spanish as a seperate class,or teach her at the same time. Please opinions on how you would do it !!

Answer 1

I ran into the same situation when I was homeschooling. I found it best to make English the "Primary Subject" with lots of emphasis put on grammar and the language. Then, 1 time a week in Kindergarten and 2 times per week in the later grades, we'd have Spanish class. Then, throughout the week when we were at the store or whatever, we'd find words we'd studied that week and use them in a game of sorts.

We are Americans. We live in an English speaking country. And, while we need to educate our children as much as possible, a second language should never come before your native tongue.

Answer 2

I used to be a nanny and home schooled the children. I now work as a medical assistant and have a four year old myself. She's been picking up some Spanish already and we are working it on it at the same time that I am teaching her to read and write her letters. So my solution would be to teach both languages at the same time. Children pick up languages best between ages 3-5. After that, they start to lose the ability to differentiate certain sounds that are different from their native language. For example, it's very hard for an English speaking person to learn to roll their R's when speaking in Spanish. If you decide to home school, make sure you involve your daughter in social activities with other kids her age so it's not a big shock going to group settings.

Answer 3

I'm going to assume you speak English and want your daughter to learn Spanish as a second language. (if not, oops)
I'm in Texas and we see lots and lots of bilingual kiddos. Everyone I know teaches both at the same time. If you are concerned about confusion, then start simple, like how to count in spanish. Then go on to colors, family members, things like that. I have a friend who's two year old daughter learned how to count in spanish to twenty watching Dora the Explorer. I say that to show it is not difficult, and the small ones pick it up fast.
Even K age students find learning Spanish very interesting.

Answer 4

If Spanish is your first language, start right away. You really should have started earlier.

However, if it's just a language you know and want to pass onto her, then by all means, start teaching her some things now. You don't have to speak to her entirely in Spanish. But the earlier to be introduced to more than one language, the better.

My kids have French as their first language. As it is, because we live in an English-speaking area, I have not had to teach them anything in English. They are both bilingual. Sure, I've done a bit of English spelling with my older child (she's 9 and loves writing stories in English), but other than that... It's all been in French.

Answer 5

Early immersion is critical, but if you teach her in all Spanish, she will be left behind in English. I would suggest teaching her in English and then having her take Spanish classes or lessons and then getting her into a place where she can use a few of those skills like maybe having a Spanish speaking friend or maybe a music class that is entirely taught in Spanish. Check out local Hispanic resource centers or places like Catholic churches where Hispanics congregate and maybe you can find an activity like that.

Answer 6

I would focus on english first and spanish as a side lesson.

My children range in ages 3 mos-8 years.. We started teaching ASL and spanish this year.. My best students in ASL and Spanish are my 3 & 4 year olds..

I should have started earlier...

Answer 7

Wow, tough question! I'm not exactly sure, it all depends on how you want to do it. It may be better to teach her both right now because in the earliest years of a childs life is when they learn the most words. There is a website that has some other really great homeschooling materials. http://www.visionforum.com I would strongly recomend the book "Safely Home". It's only $10, but worth so much more!

One more thing, please homeschool all the way! You don't teach your child to swim by throwing them in the ocean! And please get that book, it'll be the best $10 dollars you ever spent!

Answer 8

You do not say if English is spoken in your home, if it is not and Spanish is, then use both. the more you use the language that will be used in school is better, Waiting could present problems.

Answer 9

I would start with english because that is the major language of the U.S. Then, I would go into Spanish.

Answer 10

it depends on what her first language is.

If it is English, start Spanish in the first grade.

It is is Spanish, teach both english in spanish.