3 Things to Build Connection You Can Start Doing Today How can I know what basics we have going strong? What do I need to work on? (Part 3 of 3 in a series on Foundations of Language Development by Elaine Thiessen. Ideas in this section by Alyssa Johnson) We hope by now …
Communication + Relationship = Foundation for Learning If our children have the basics of strong communication skills with us, that is the sign our relationship can withstand a “new language”. What are the foundational basics of relationship/communication? (Part 2 of 3 in a series on Foundations of Language Development by Elaine Thiessen) For …
How we start matters What is the foundation of your family’s language learning process? (Part 1 of blog series on language development by Elaine Thiessen) Building on strong foundations is not just a strong beginning—it also provides for a strong ending. To do this with children, most of us need to invest in understanding what …
50 Picture Books for Second Language Learning The power of books is not to be underestimated. The right book can draw in a distracted child’s attention, it can calm down a fussy, upset kid, it can launch children into their own imaginative play that could last much longer than it takes to read the story. …
Why Belonging Matters to Children Belonging is at the heart of human relationships—it is essential to what we are doing here, building a community that sustains life on earth. You might say it is the soul of the human race: “It is not good to be alone.” Or you could listen to …
Five Guidelines for Choosing Great Picture Books for Second Language Learning Nothing feels quite like reading a good storybook with your child in your lap. Our family has a few favorite picture books that are so loved, many dog-eared pages have tape on them, grimy finger smudges on them, and everyone (especially mommy) has the …
Genesis of Our Family in Hind: First Week of Daily Activities (Post #2) Cardboard objects: as easy as draw, cut, color! “Don’t touch!” is a phrase I use way too often with my kinesthetic learner two-year-old son. So much of his world is experienced by touch. Everything at his fingertips needs to be explored. …
“…so thankful I am part of the process.” [Testimonial] We received this encouraging story of the beginnings of loving language learning from a mom a few months ago and want to share it with you. Language learning while living in a foreign culture is so crucial to a child’s bonding with that culture. Their attitude …
Using Language Mama As A Bilingual Mom: My Experiment “Why not try it as if you are a bilingual mom?” Christine amicably suggested one day during a back-and-forth about testing and experimenting with the Planner, our latest addition to the LL4C curriculum family. I balked inwardly because I didn’t think I could do it …
Genesis of Our Family in Hind: First Week of Daily Activities (Post #2) Here’s a quick rundown of what I did this week with my kids, N and M. I’m choosing to do it day by day so you can see what Language Mama Planner looks like in a nice orderly execution. Hopefully this …