SPANISH4KIDDOS - THE SPANISH SCIENCE CORNER

3 Ways to Teach your Child about Dental Hygiene

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:22:00 +0000

February is a month of celebration for many. It's a month to celebrate Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, Presidents' Day. But it is also the month to celebrate Bird-Feeding Month and National Children's Dental Health Month. As parents, caregivers, and educators, dental hygiene = salud bucodental should be part of the education process as well as promoting eating well and exercise. How to properly take care of young teeth = dientes can be learned as early as 3 years of age. But it does not have to be a dreadful task. Make it fun with games, fun videos, crafts, songs, and, of course, great books to read. Discuss with your child beforehand about the topics of good dental care, brushing, and the reasons to take care of your teeth. Yes, although those baby teeth may fall at around 6 years of...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

How to Make Bird Feeders from Pine Cones

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:11:00 +0000

Red Cardinal birds like to eat the crunchy seeds. Finches like to nimble on those seeds. And Woodpeckers like to peck away at the nearest branches. But in winter, there's little or no food sources for some of these amazing birds = pájaros. Many of them depend on the countless backyard feeders placed by humans. Or they may not have enough food to eat or to share with their young. As the winter progresses, the natural resources for some of these birds begin to disappear. So to encourage and promote bird-feeding = alimentar pájaros for North American birds, the National Bird-Feeding Society proclaimed in 1994, February, as the National Bird-Feeding Month. For the past decades, bird enthusiasts across the nation set different types of feeders for these birds. There's more you...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

5 Steps to Organize a School Book Report

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

For many students, whether bilingual or not, book report writing often seems like a dreaded task. The unforeseen homework that has to be done in a limited amount of time is a daunting thought. The deadline alone can be a stressful reminder of the book report yet undone. Although it may seem like a never ending assignment to write book reports, organization is key to a great book report. When writing the next book report, try to follow these 5 steps to an excellent composition. 1. Brainstorming Ideas can be formed best when brainstorming. In this case, writing down several ideas randomly can help in figuring out the topic of interest or subject. It can also help to establish the type of book report to write. To help initiate some creative ideas, use the local or school library to...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

Sweet Dreams, Dinosaur, and Princess (Galeria de Libros)

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Dramatic play is the most fascinating part of growing up. Children love to imagine about dinosaurs, pirates, and princesses. But there is nothing more encouraging than some great books to go along some day dreaming. Dramatic play not only encourages imagination and creativity but it also provides a gateway to make friends and socialize with other classmates or play date friends. So, organize the next play date around dinosaurs or princesses to see how the imagination flourishes in each child. Topics to discuss this week are: cooperation and friendship better ways in expressing feelings dinosaurs play time or make believe dreams In Los Zapatos Perdidos de Lola: Nivel K-1 (Dos Leemos) (Spanish Edition)by Paula Blankenship, read about Lola's adventure to find her lost shoes....

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

Happy Presidents Day: Honor and Bravery

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:48:00 +0000

As many of us in the United States are celebrating this day as a holiday, many of us as parents and educators should at least let the next generation know what this day is about. Sure, we love to see the many sales and last minute deals. But history is history. We celebrate this day to commemorate and honor those brave men in the presidency. I hope that we can teach our children that freedom does not just happen. But actually, there were men in the presidency that made choices for us to have freedom = libertad these days. They believed in what was right at the moment. Many of these men changed the future of government = gobierno and shaped the nation = nación. Many of them fought cruel wars = guerras and sacrificed their lives for other generations to enjoy the fruits of freedom....

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

eReaders: The New Method of Reading

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:51:00 +0000

As I gathered together with my daughter to read our latest and greatest Spanish book, I wondered if she would ever prefer any other way to read. I remember to be in grade school and only have hardcover books to read. And to see my parents and grandparents get their fingers tinted from reading the newspaper. Yes, maybe that was in the dinosaur ages. But if you consider that in the last few years, electronic devices have revolutionized the way we obtain information. With the launch of the electronic book reader or ebook reader in 2007, more and more people were getting used to reading their favorite stories, news, or magazines with a small device that could fit right in your palm of your hand. Can we say that there are better ways to read? Can we say that we can learn more with electronic...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

How to Make a Paper Log Cabin Block Pattern

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:08:00 +0000

Quilting was an important aspect of life during the early settlements in America. Many pioneer women that would travel thousands of miles from the homeland to settle in another land was an amazing journey. As a way to recycle and reuse the materials they already had on hand, these crafty women used quilts = colchas as a method to preserve memories of their journeys. There are countless patterns that they developed and many are still in use today. But one particular pattern: the log cabin block is an important aspect of their lives. This type of pattern represented the place where they used to live. The red block in the center of the block was the hearth and fire of the log cabin = cabaña de troncos de madera that kept the family and settlers warm. As the pattern is extended in...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

Presidents and Pets (Galeria de Libros)

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:13:00 +0000

President's Day is a commemorative day. It's a day to teach about what past presidents have done for this country. It's a day to teach our children about the efforts and sacrifices that some exemplary men have done to build the United States of America. The bravery and discipline these men have shown in history should never be forgotten. Originally, this holiday was in honor of President George Washington's birthday, February 22nd. Later, it included the mention of all the presidents and the honor of the office of the presidency. Now, we celebrate President's Day on the third Monday in February, established by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1951. I've also included in this week's book suggestions a book about pets and their amazing tricks. Some topics to discuss this week...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

The Quest of a Turtle: The Ultimate Love Story

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:25:00 +0000

She lifted her head up from the ocean waters to see before her the sandy dunes. The waves carrying her to the beach. It does not seem like a long walk. But she knows she has to make it. Before her, she sees her ultimate goal: the perfect place to lay her eggs, of course. Well, you didn't think this was the latest and greatest love story. But the most amazing journey that sea turtles = tortugas do every season. Every time they are ready to lay their eggs, these sea turtles will bring their eggs to exactly the same location that they were born. Fascinating as it may seem, studies have shown that these incredible creatures are able to hatch from their egg = huevo, crawl from the egg shell, make it to the ocean waters, and travel miles away to where their ancestors used to be. More...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

5 Ways to Introduce Pets to Kids

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:24:00 +0000

Friendship can come in all shapes and sizes. But there's nothing more cute than to see friendship blossom between a pet and a child. Or is it? As parents and educators, we have the responsibility to educate our children on how to take care of their pets. The skill to learn to take care of their pet = mascota is a lesson that they will carry on forever. Not just to other pets but socially to others. When they start to care for others, they also learn about the traits of friendship = amistad and kindness = bondad. But are all children capable of learning about friendship and kindness by having a pet? Absolutely not. They can learn by having another child friend and most certainly can learn by interacting with parents and caregivers. But if the child keeps asking for that puppy for the...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

How to Do Last Minute Valentine Craft for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:54:00 +0000

Are you running out of time to get those great Valentine cards or gifts? Do the kids have plenty of friends that they need to exchange cards with? Well, don't despair: Spanish Valentine is here to help. Alright, I'm not cupid but I can help you craft some quick and easy Valentine cards. Learn how to make this very easy Valentine craft for kids by simply using paint and a little imagination (Figure 1). For this project, you'll need: red construction paper, various colors of construction paper, red washable paint, glitter glue (various colors), decorative shaped scissors, transparent glue, and photographs. Figure 1 Price: $0.25 Skill Level: Easy Prep Time: 35 minutes (includes drying time) Instructions: Place old newspaper on the...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

Valentine, Elephant, and President (Galeria de Libros)

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:48:00 +0000

Children will be exchanging Valentine's Day cards. Newlyweds will be exchanging vows. Flowers and candy will be exchanged. 'I love you' sayings will be exchanged. But the most important exchange is the meaning of friendship = amistad. Teaching our children to actually say 'I like you' or 'would you like to be my friend' is more than trite words. It is the fact that children learn from parents and educators that friendship needs to be nurtured. Many people can be friends = amigos for ages yet not know each other well. Others can be friends in an instant and know all that needs to know. The value of friendship is one of the best skills we can teach our children. According to Webster's dictionary, friendship is "the state of being friends" and it further defines that friend is "a person who...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

Pura Belpre: Celebrating a Hispanic Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:12:00 +0000

Happy Birthday Pura Belpré! or ¡Feliz Cumpleaños Pura Belpré! But I wish I could say that I knew exactly her date of birth. Literary experts are still in disagreement whether her birthday is February 2, 1899 or December 2, 1901 or February 2, 1903. Either case, it is worth the mention to celebrate one of the greatest figures in Hispanic literature and children advocate for literacy. Pura Belpré was born in Cidra, Puerto Rico and immigrate to the United States in 1920. She had enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico in 1919. But by 1920, she moved to New York to help with her sister's wedding and realized her life belonged in New York. Although she started in the garment industry, her Spanish knowledge moved her to become the Hispanic Assistant at the New...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

Flipping over Dolphins or Whales

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:47:00 +0000

Could all be majestic and beautiful when you see dolphins = delfines and whales = ballenas, these very impressive mammals, in the sea. Or your local marine sanctuary. Or your local amusement park. But I hope most people realize that what these amazing marine animals can do is completely natural to them. They like to flip, twist, and of course swim. That is what they do best. There are professional trainers that teach them to fetch a piece of snack or to flip for a fish. But in the end, these animals naturally must hunt for their food just like any other specie on Earth. Stars of the show: view of Orca whales performing their amazing flips at SeaWorld in San Diego, CA. Orcas or inappropriately called killer whales are still one of the greatest predators of the ocean....

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

How to Make Valentine Crafts for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:04:00 +0000

Roses are red; violets are blue; you make me happy this upcoming Valentine's Day. There's nothing more sweeter than happy Valentine sayings or just delightful comments that we might want to say to someone we care about. But kids are more in tune to these sayings when it comes to making these types of comments for Valentine's Day. Each year, kids will be exchanging Valentine cards and gifts on February 14th. But how did this tradition get started? Valentine's Day = Día de San Valentín was originally thought to started by Catholic Valentine saints and by St. Valentine, a prisoner during the Roman Empire Era. Later, during the Middle Ages, Valentine was recognized as an act of friendship and compassion. Nowadays, most people celebrate Valentine's Day with card =...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

Fairies, Dogs, and Wardrobe (Galeria de Libros)

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:31:00 +0000

We're entering into a new month that is all about friendship, kindness, love, and caring. So this month, I'll feature books about teaching kids about these important values. Because as educators, parents, and caregivers, I believe it's essential to teach our children to express their feelings (no matter how negative or positive) in a nice way. Teaching our kids to communicate at an early age may prevent less tantrums and behavioral problems. But every parent or caregiver knows the limits of every child. Hence, topics to discuss this week are: Manners and communication Opposites New vocabulary words Friendship, kindness, caring In Alicia, el Hadaby David Shannon, read how Alice (Alicia) believes being a fairy can turn all her dreams true. But her imagination runs wild as...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

Happy Groundhog Day: More Winter or Not

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:26:00 +0000

Will the groundhog that lives deep in the ground come out today to tell us that there will be 6 more weeks of Winter? Well, I'm not sure. But I'm sure that on this holiday celebrations begin in the United States and Canada. Anxious spectators will be wondering if Spring will come early or not. Groundhog Day = Día de la Marmota is celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada every year. This tradition began back in 1886 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania when this rodent will emerge from his burrowing hole. If the groundhog sees its shadow, then Winter will stay for another 6 weeks. But if it does not sees its shadow, then Spring will come early. Whether this weather prediction is accurate or not, it sure brings much celebration to the town of Punxsutawney....

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

Book Tour: Hard Times during UnEmployment

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Nowadays, it is common to talk to someone and find out they have been or know someone that has been affected by unemployment. The downturn has affected many businesses in your community and around the world. So it is no surprise that it is a difficult topic to discuss with family members and even our children. But how can a woman cope with so much. In UnEMPLOYED Faithby Rosann Cunningham, we learn about 10 major steps that women can take towards facing this hard situation. Although most people are not used to following a religion or faith, I encourage to take a second look at this ebook. It remarkably states how a woman or anyone affected by the unemployment of a significant other can cope with such dilemma. Its foundation lies deeply in the Bible and it references many thoughtful...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

Best TV Bilingual Shows for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:52:00 +0000

I've heard and read the immense research that television is detrimental for your young child. But of course, if your child watches television 12 hours a day or more, that could be considered excessive. Experts believe that children under the age of 2 should not watch television at all. They learn more from you than from a blurry box. It has also been linked to speech delay. Not all television is bad for children. Actually, some educational television shows can be good for children. Of course, all shows should be watched with children to emphasize and explain the topics to them. In some instance, television shows can also help bilingual students with pronunciation and culture. Just like everything else that moderation is key. I've chosen 10 television shows that are...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

Shake It: How to Make Shakers from Soup Cans

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:37:00 +0000

Music is an integral part of learning new Spanish words. But more importantly, it can also help in learning rhymes and introducing new lyrics. Besides having a fun time shaking and clapping, it is also a great time to learn new syllables or word constructions. When using shakers, simply start by playing easy to learn songs. Some examples of simple songs can be 'Bate, Bate, Chocolate', La Cucaracha, 'B.I.N.G.O', Down By the Bay, and many other more. But if you don't have any, you can make some shakers from soup cans (Figure 1). Another alternative is to use Easter plastic eggs and fill them with beans. But whatever method you choose, just remember that having fun is the best part. Learn how to make shakers from simple soup cans Figure 1 Cost: $0.75 per can Skill Level:...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

Birthdays, Trees, and Fun Songs (Mi Rincon de Libros)

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:16:00 +0000

What an exciting selection of books for this week! There are books for birthdays, bedtime, playtime, and of course, quite time. There is so much to learn from each of these books. Just remember that you can learn new Spanish words not just by reading books but also by listening to audio books and singing to fun songs. From this selection, the topics to discuss are: Increase vocabulary by using simple pictures Learn audio books are a fun way to listen to stories Bedtime can also be a great way to read Friendship is important to maintain Have fun listening to quick, easy songs In Bessey la Desordenada Pasa una Noche de Cumpleanoswritten by Patricia and Fredrick McKissack and illustrated by Dana Regan, celebrate the birthday of Bessey's friend at a sleepover. But it's truly the...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

Gravity: Weighing Heavy and Light Objects

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:51:00 +0000

Some things may be light while other may be heavy. But to differentiate between what is heavy = pesado and light = liviano is to understand about gravity. Gravity = gravedad is the force of attraction between objects towards the Earth's gravitational pull. This gravitational force is based on the masses of objects falling towards the Earth's gravity. For instance, heavier objects will fall at a much faster rate than lighter objects. This concept was well studied by the physicist Albert Einstein and his theory of relativity. But it is the Laws of Sir Isaac Newton that really define gravity. The weight of an object is what makes it fall faster or not. This is called the rate of a falling object. For example, compare an empty plastic cup and a piece of paper. Assuming they will...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

Reading Tips for Bilingual Struggling Readers

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:18:00 +0000

Every reader wants to improve his or her reading skills. Every parent or caregiver wants their children to improve their language skills. And every educator is concerned that not enough is done. However, bilingual readers seem to struggle the most. By not fully knowing one particular language (whether native or not), the struggling reader has challenges assimilating the necessary reading skills to succeed. But children that are struggling to learn to read do not have to suffer. They do not have to end as part of yet another statistic, where more than 8% of high school students decided not to continue school and drop out. Although struggling reading skills play a small part in their decision, this area can be improved. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

Get to Know Me Even More Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:02:00 +0000

Wow, what a sweet surprise for Spanish4Kiddos this week: I was awarded these amazing recognitions by two great bloggers. Tina from Pinay in Texas Cooking Corner awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award and Cherry on Top Award. If you get a chance, visit Tina and check out her great and delicious recipes. Saying her recipes are delicious is an understatement. And Vivian from Positive Parental Participation awarded me the Versatile Blogger too. If you have a moment, check her site. She has so many great tips to parents. In accepting these awards, I need to tell you a little bit more about me. So, here I go to tell you more about me and how Spanish4Kiddos came to be. Started this blog to document my Spanish teachings to my daughter. This blog has been an outlet of my falls and...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.

How to Make Penguins from Milk Cartons

noreply@blogger.com (spanish4kiddos) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:14:00 +0000

It is so cute to see penguins toggle and wiggle along on the ice or swim in the water. But what's more cute is the fact that these penguins are the best at waddling and swimming. You often see them on documentaries flapping their wings and barely moving their feet. You might believe it is because they're cold and want to stay warm. Or perhaps is it because they are nesting an egg: the everlasting chance to have their gene pool passed on to their offsprings. The reason is that these penguins are a unique breed. They're not great walkers. They're not graceful flyers. They are superb swimmers. Although categorized as part of the Aves class, penguins don't fly like most other birds. But they actually have adapted to use their wings to be expert swimmers. This skill comes in handy when you...

Thank you so much for taking a few moments to visit Spanish4Kiddos. Gracias por tomar unos momentos para visitar Spanish4Kiddos.