¿Cómo estás? Reading in Spanish.

Basic Accent Rules in Spanish

Oh my beloved vowels: a,e,i,o, and u.  The heart and soul of the Spanish language. They are a pure, one-letter sound and not the diphthongal (two-letter) English pronunciation.  In Spanish, the vowels are pronounced the same anywhere you put them.  Feel free to sigh in relief. However, what do vowels have to do with accent marks?  Well, you can only emphasize a vowel.  Try to emphasize a consonant, I dare you.  Pretty difficult, isn't it? When we accent a vowel within a syllable in a Spanish word, it will determine the meaning of the word as much as its pronunciation.  

In order to mean what you say, I have put together easy rules to remember.

A word that ends in a consonant (except n or s) emphasize on the last syllable: 

español.

A word that ends in a vowel or the consonant n or s emphasize the next-to-last syllable:

 española, trabajan

A word that does not fit in either of these two categories gets a WRITTEN accent:

 simpática

So there you have it, the rules made easy. 

 

Routines Make Us Feel Good

If done consistently, routines give children and adults a sense of belonging and reassurance, and provide opportunities to connect with each other.  A morning routine can include helping your child make their bed, make breakfast  or fix their hair. 

For young children, a Morning chart with the list of tasks with a picture provides visual reminders for what is expected.  For older children, Post-its in the bathroom mirror can instill basic hygiene activities and is usually the first place they go.

As for your teens, make sure they rely on you to set the tone for the routine.  Whether you send them an emoji reminder or email, they should be able to accomplish their tasks because you have modeled the behavior of getting work done before play.

 As an adult, I have always awakened about 30 minutes earlier than my family to sit and drink my coffee. The silence of the morning allowed me to calm myself and think about the day ahead.  My family was under the impression I had everything planned months in advance, but in reality, I had taken a few minutes in my mornings to see what I wanted my day to look like.  A clear direction made me focused.  No need for craziness or confusion if you know what you need to do.

Your time at home might include time apart.  Each member doing their tasks required of them.  Watching your little hive of busy bees will make the time you come together more relaxed and enjoyable.

It is crucial to understand that daily tasks are important to keep us working as a unit, and unity always brings calm...and calm units are efficient and productive.

Preschool Preparedness

This month I would love to spread the love.  As educators, we get information that the average parent dos not.  I suggest you look at "600 Tips for Early Childhood Directors" by Silvana Clark.
The list is long and not all the tips are geared for you, the mommy or daddy.  That is why I have taken one of the gems out for you.

Many of my parents ask about school readiness.  I assure them that school especially, preschool is developmental.  The social and cooperative skills that are mastered in preschool are much more beneficial to a child than if they know the alphabet or can count to a hundred. So if preschool is a consideration, take Clark's advice.  You do not need to talk about preschool too far ahead of time.  By the time school starts your child will feel like this is a monumental event in their life. This is overwhelming for a little person.

 Instead, start talking about preschool in a casual upbeat manner about two to three weeks before class starts.  For instance, if you drive by a playground, tell your little one that there will be a jungle gym like that one at his or her school.  Drive by the school and let them see it with no children present so they don't feel that they will be lost in the crowd on the first day.  Go visit the teacher! Your child will feel more comfortable if he or she knows what to expect.

Preparing your child is good but there is no need to treat school like the only thing in their young life. Balance needs to be stressed at a young age so that stress is not imbalanced when their older.

Stay Focused in 2020!

Make time for reading this year.  Read. Read for pleasure. Read for yourself.  Adults are in need of reading as much as children.  Read to your child every day.
Creating a reading routine will foster a love for reading...and will enhance your child's vocabulary.  Reading, whether for our children or ourselves, provides imaginative experiences that are important in building creative thinking.  Innovation is a gift wrapped in a book.  We are able to unleash new ideas, products and solutions by fueling the mind through reading. Language always benefits the scholar and the person.  Spending time engaged in
literature provokes more comprehensible thought and better articulation.  No one was ever accused of reading too much! Envision a world in 2020 that thinks before speaking. The written word allows you to think, to process before reacting.  Our children, our friends and our colleagues  are more receptive to a thoughtful well-informed critically analysed approach.  Read every day. Read to your children. Read.

As 2019 comes to its end, I wanted to take the time to express how thankful I am for all those who have come alongside me.  This idea that "I did it on my own" is just not true.  We all have help, encouragement, assistance and a second set of eyes making our success possible. 
When I think of the times this year, I spent on the phone venting to a friend or asking advice from a colleague, I realize that those moments helped me, pushed me forward and made me rethink issues or problems.  The people in the background that never get mentioned on your business card or Facebook page are exactly the ones I want to thank for an easier year.  You made my load lighter, my nights more restful and my spirit less anxious. For that reason, I am grateful because without your readiness to listen, counsel and perform a menial task, I would not be where I am today.
 Appreciation is the attitude of knowing that you had help along the way.  Humility often is associated with a grateful heart.  I believe that the success I have had this past year and the decade I have directed TLP Education must be shared with countless people, tutors, friends, family members, colleagues, parents and students.  Thank you. Thank you for partnering with me to live out my dreams.  I am truly thankful.

After The Rain is Only Part of the Story

     This story is amazing, but the story about how this story came to be is even more amazing.  In November of last year, I had a gentleman inquire about taking Spanish lessons with me. He joined my small beginner's  adult class in a coffee shop here in town.  He couldn't help telling me that his wife and himself had plans to visit Cuba in  March of the following year.  He wanted to learn Spanish...period. His enthusiasm was contagious, and before I knew it his wife had enrolled in the class as well.  Hoping they were not learning Spanish just for travel, I made sure they had basics to get  around.  It is not uncommon for travelers to  take a couple of months of classes to gain a bit of vocabulary and confidence and then, not continue to become speakers.  However, I was wrong about this man.
    When he and his wife returned from their trip to the Key of the Antilles, I was happily entertained by his stories and adventures.  He was particularly excited to tell me of a art studio he had encountered.  An art teacher had opened his small studio to teach disabled children.  What a wonderful soul! My student couldn't wait to offer monetary assistance to this teacher. He wasn't sure how to get the funds over to the art teacher, but he quickly figured out how to fund raise. He told me that he had designed a tee-shirt from a motto he saw on the wall of the art studio. It read, "The only disability is to have no heart."
Like a flash of lightening, he called me one morning to tell me he had come up with the story you see before you.  He wanted to tell the story of two young kids. He presented it to me.  We had coffee many mornings to discuss making this story a book...a book that he wanted me to translate into Spanish.  I was honored.
     A trip to another country sparked a flame to do good, to be creative and to share a message of kindness.  As a teacher, it is a reward to see my students take what they learn and be innovative.  When you read "After the Rain," you will enjoy the heart and soul that went into telling John and Sofia's story whether you speak English or Spanish.  Enjoy. Disfruta.