Sff! Celebrates Week of the Young Child

Last week was “Week of the Young Child,” a special week started by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to celebrate early learning, young children, their teachers, and families.

Sff! wanted to celebrate our children in a different way this year, so we invited Joy the Clown to give our twos, threes, and fours classes a show. Along with bunnies and doves, Joy taught the children about the Golden rule: Respect others as you would like to be respected and treated by others. Respect your parents, respect your teachers, and respect the elderly. We are so grateful for the joy and happiness she brought to our children. Thank you Joy, the show was fantastic!

Sff! is honored to have an in-house, talented Zumba instructor on staff. Ms. Monica Andrade, who does Zumba as a hobby, was happy to offer Zumba classes for our children. They had so much fun with her! We would like to give Ms. Monica a BIG, BIG thank you for doing this with our children. Being active with the children helps them learn more about being healthy and makes learning easier.

Here are some other fun activities we did to celebrate the Week of the Young Child:

Sff! Wake Forest enjoyed the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son Dance event, and had a fun competition for our 2 year olds. Our children also enjoyed a performance from our Director, who sang while one of our lovely moms played the piano. It was great to have live music! Special thanks to Mrs. Sandra Potter and Mrs. Lucelia Rodriguez for finding unique ways to make our children feel special.

Sff! Cary teachers prepared a beautiful party for their children where they danced and ate ice cream. Our little ones had a bubble party and puppet show prepared by the teachers. Thanks to our Cary Team for planning such a fun party for our children. We also invited to Ms. Valeria Ronceros, who came and played some music. Thanks Valeria for the great performances!

In Sff! Duraleigh, our babies enjoyed story time and a puppet show at the playground.  They also played with the hula-hula and bubbles. Additionally, we had a special guest that came with a ukulele to play live music for our children and teachers. They danced, touched the instrument, and enjoyed this great moment! We would like to thank Ms. Valeria Ronceros for sharing her talent with our little ones in Duraleigh.

Sff! Raleigh enjoyed a delicious picnic and had story time at the playground. Each teacher celebrated our children with different activities per classroom. Thank you very much to our wonderful Raleigh staff for making everyone feel special.

We love special celebrations at Spanish for fun! Our teachers, parents and children had a great week-long celebration!

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This Parent Letter Totally Made Our Day…So We Have To Share It

We recently received a letter from a Sff! parent that underscores everything we believe about our preschools, our wonderful teachers, our proven instruction method and our loving caregiving principles. As you can imagine, it made us all extremely proud. We couldn’t wait to share it with you…

Good afternoon,

I wanted to take a minute to recognize the SFF Duraraleigh Rd team! The teachers and leadership team are just so wonderful there I cannot say enough about them.

Our daughter stayed home with a nanny for the first 7 months of her life and I dreaded sending her to daycare. I never imagined I would do so. My husband and I both have careers and wanted to go back to work. When our nanny had to leave we took the day off of work to tour schools all throughout the Raleigh area. Every school we visited felt so sterile and just “ok.” I left the first one crying, thinking I am not going to do this to my kid; the school had a teacher feeding one baby in the rocker and using her two feet to push the other babies swings, who were crying on the floor! For the next couple weeks we pieced together sitters, considering we have no family here, this was not easy.

Someone at my work recommended SFF. My husband and I were open to checking it out. Although we are not bilingual I have 8 years of Spanish and are always looking for ways to offer our child more. Being a nervous mom I remember the day we came to tour. We did not schedule it, we just popped in. Veronica was on maternity leave and Carol was covering for her. Carol gave us a fantastic tour! Every teacher was so welcoming, introducing themselves, asking about us and Addison, with a smile on their face! Carol offered for us to leave Addison in the baby room for a minute while we finished the tour so we could see how she would do and she did really well!  The initial impression, which is so important, was just great. It did not feel like all the other schools we had previously visited, you could tell the teachers loved their jobs and really cared.

Addison started in Laura and Giselle’s classroom. Both of them were beyond wonderful. Addison really bonded with Giselle as other children really bonded with Laura and both of them went above and beyond each day to give the kids love upon love! They were very communicative and always making sure we knew what was going on. We also experienced the International Fest within our first month of being at the school and it was such a fun experience.

Then Addison moved up to the next classroom with Ms.Claudia, Ms.Rosita, and Ms.Eliana along with various floaters.  All three of these teachers were also so wonderful. Claudia always seemed to have a nice day planned. I call Ms.Rosita the loving grandma of the classroom because the kids just flock to her and she gives this sweet caring vibe when you walk into the room. The minute she sits down the kids all run over to her, all trying to sit on her lap, ready to listen to the fun she has planned. Ms.Eliana is so sweet and always always has this big glowing smile on her face. I do not think I have ever walked in without seeing her with this super big smile. She is always playing with the kids, patient, and very attentive to their many needs. Also updates you with a detailed update on your child’s day the minute you walk in the door.

Veronica and Maribel are also great to work with. They are very communicative as well. They always make sure to call you if they think your child is acting different, may not be feeling well etc. so you are not surprised when you get there. They are very welcoming when you come in and also very positive and great to talk to.

Overall, I just wanted to share the great experience we have had at the Duraraleigh location. Addison recently moved up to the Glenwood location and I am missing everyone so much. I know we will love the new school as well, but as Addison transitions to the new location I wanted to make sure I shared how wonderful your Duraraleigh team is!

Thank you,

Kate Mekeel

Wow! Thank you so much, Kate, for that amazing endorsement. We are so happy you found us and have entrusted us with Addison’s care and early childhood education. We will continue to provide her, you and every one of our students and parents with the best experience possible.

Parents, if you are searching for a preschool that will offer your child a safe, loving environment and an educational jumpstart, Spanish for fun! is your best option. Get in touch with us today to schedule a tour of our Duraleigh campus. Call 919-881-1695 or complete the form on our website. We look forward to showing you why your child will thrive with us.

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Here’s How To Take Charge Of Your Preschooler’s Language Development

As a parent, you have the special privilege of laying the foundation for the quality of life your child will have. Obviously you want the best for them in all respects. One way you can help facilitate this is to ensure that your child’s communication skills are being sharpened from an early age. This will enable them to communicate effectively and reap the greatest benefit from their social interactions and educational opportunities.

The normal growth process includes the development of language and effective communication. Is your child where they need to be in this regard? Are they ahead of the learning curve? Behind? An awareness of what’s typical will help you monitor your youngster’s progress. The following post explains more about this:

Language Development Milestones to Know for Your Preschooler & Toddler

“The first 3 years of life, when the brain is developing and maturing, is the most intensive period for acquiring speech and language skills. These skills develop best in a world that is rich with sounds, sights, and consistent exposure to the speech and language of others. There appear to be critical periods for speech and language development in infants and young children when the brain is best able to absorb language. If these critical periods are allowed to pass without exposure to language, it will be more difficult to learn.” Read more at Horizon Education Centers…

As you can see, it’s extremely beneficial to take advantage of your child’s heightened ability to learn languages in their early years.

When you understand the milestones your child should be reaching, you can take an active role in monitoring their speech development. The following post offers helpful advice for this important task:

How to Gauge Your Child’s Speech and Language Development

Your child is always watching and listening, soaking up language and communication skills at the speed of light. And did you know that in those first early years, the interactions your child has with adults will help set the stage for how well your child will learn? Along with your child’s preschool teachers, you can have a hugely positive impact on your child’s speech and language development — giving your child the gift of academic (and life!) confidence. Read more at Utah Dance Artists…

It makes a huge impact on your child’s language development when you are continually assessing their progress and participating fully in the process.

One of the best ways to promote your child’s language development is enrolling them in a preschool where it is prioritized. The following post describes the qualities to look for when you’re searching for a suitable location:

Choosing a Preschool for Language Development

Choosing the right preschool can be overwhelming! There is no shortage of options or philosophies when it comes to early education. No matter what you decide, here are five things you want to look for in a school to support the development of speech and language skills:

Nurturing teacher: A nurturing, caring teacher, as this is the most important asset to any classroom. A teacher that gives children the love and support they need while encouraging them to grow and explore is exactly what growing minds need. Through interactions with caring adults, children connect what they learn to what they already know and learning happens. Read more at The Speech Dynamic…

Your child’s speech and language development will be given the emphasis it deserves at Spanish for fun! Duraleigh. Plus, our proven, play-based teaching method ensures their cognitive and social advancement.

At Spanish for fun!, we give children the lifelong benefits that come from speaking a second language and appreciating cultural diversity. Get in touch with us today to schedule a tour of our Duraleigh campus. Call 919-881-1695 or complete the form on our website. We look forward to showing you why your child will thrive with us.

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How To Make Your Child’s Hobbies More Beneficial

One of the great things about being a parent is the adventure you experience as your child grows. This includes both the “big” stuff and the “not-so-big” stuff that happens as they grow and develop. Part of your job is to find ways to make all these experiences add value to your child’s life. A good place to start is the hobbies that draw your little one’s interest.

Be strategic about making them beneficial to your child’s development without taking the fun out of them. The following post discusses some ways you can do this:

Hbbies To Unlock Your Kid’s Creativity

“A hobby a day keeps the doldrums away” – Phyllis McGinley

Well said! But, hobbies are not only meant to kill boredom but also to add more values to your life.

Hobbies aid in discovering your own self and building self-confidence.

A childhood hobby can turn into your passion and eventually, you can even build upon it to make a career.

Hobbies can take you away from despondency and despair. After all, life isn’t fair always.

That pretty much sums up why your child should develop a hobby. So what kind of hobby should that be? Read more at Baby On Board…

Your child’s hobbies could end up being more than a pass-the-time activity. Understanding this will help you see the potential in each activity.

Even after reading the above, some parents may still question whether hobbies are really even that important. If you’re not sure of the answer, the following post should give you a greater appreciation:

Benefits of Hobbies for Your Child

“Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life,” said the American essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson.

What else but hobbies to fill those spare moments of our children? And, if you ever wondered whether children would benefit by engaging in hobbies, here’s the answer – yes, they certainly will.

Here’s a list of benefits that hobbies offer children: Read more at Parent Circle…

As you see, hobbies can foster cognitive development and promote social skills. Both of these issues are critical aspects of the maturation process.

Another key thing a hobby can do is increase your child’s self-confidence, which leads to greater self-esteem. The following post explains how this happens:

Why Being Good at a Hobby Is So Important To Your Child’s Self Esteem

One time, a parent in my parenting group shared that their teenage daughter suffered from very low self-esteem.

It seems that she was extremely hesitant to take on any task – whether it be a school-related assignment or something at home. As an example, the parent shared with us that her daughter, (we’ll call her Stacey), was supposed to participate with several of her peers in a school presentation for history class. Stacey’s role in this project, in addition to presenting the project in front of the class with her peers, was to create a music playlist that was supposed to play in the background during the presentation…Read more at Parenting the Modern Family…

Confidence allows your child to face the world’s endless challenges with boldness. It’s no surprise that this empowering trait is common among people who express high satisfaction with life.

Developing meaningful hobbies should start early, and not be limited to the home. Parents who enroll their children in the right preschool will find an invaluable ally in this process. Spanish for fun! Duraleigh recognizes the importance of hobbies and promotes them.

We are a lauded Spanish-immersion daycare that nurtures your child’s interests using the proven principles of guided play. Our students learn the Spanish language and culture, receiving the cognitive and educational benefits that come from being bilingual, while gaining a genuine appreciation for diversity.

If you are searching for a preschool that will offer your child a safe, loving environment and an educational jumpstart, Spanish for fun! is your best option. Get in touch with us today to schedule a tour of our Duraleigh campus. Call 919-881-1695 or complete the form on our website. We look forward to showing you why your child will thrive with us.

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What Your Child Can Gain From A Play-Based Preschool

As you research preschools to find the one that is most suitable for your child, keep in mind that an important part your decision should be the type of teaching method that is offered. There are different types of programs, but, here at Spanish for fun! Duraleigh, we believe a play-based approach to learning is the best. You can read about play-based education in the following post:

What does play-based learning really mean?

If your child is playing, they can’t be learning, right? In fact, children learn a huge number of different skills through play. It allows them to explore, discover, negotiate, take risks, create meaning and solve problems — all of which help develop literacy, numeracy and social skills.

Through play-based learning, skilled educators can introduce the concepts we want children to learn in a way that engages with the child’s interests.

Play comes naturally, we add the learning

Play-based learning draws on a child’s natural sense of enquiry and provides a hands-on exploration of the world around them. Read more at Goodstart Early Learning…

While it may seem odd for adults to consider play a form of learning, it is one of the most natural ways that a child can gain and process information. The secret is to be deliberate about the learning process during playtime.

Play-based preschools have some form of structure, but the main focus is for the children to socialize with one another. The play can be guided, or the children may be allowed free play. There are certain benefits that come with a play-based approach, as suggested in the following post:

Here are four ways play-based learning benefits children in the early years.

Encourages language skills

Engaging in active play from an early age encourages the development of language skills. During pre-school years, a child’s vocabulary grows and develops as they play together with peers and interact with adults. Adults have the opportunity to support language development through play; they can do this by asking questions, encouraging conversation and introducing unfamiliar words.

Supports pre-literacy skills

Participating in play that involves music and rhyme supports the development of pre-literacy skills, such as listening skills and sound recognition. Activities such as singing songs and reciting rhymes play a big part in laying the foundations for reading and basic literacy. Read more at The Scots College…

When learning is incorporated into play, it helps the children develop a positive attitude towards learning new skills.

There are certain important ways in which your child is likely to benefit from a play-based preschool program when compared to other types of programs, as expressed in the next post:

Numerous studies conclude that play is an integral part of learning for preschoolers. An article in The Washington Post suggested that inadequate playtime and movement can cause problems in children such as clumsiness, difficulty paying attention, trouble with emotional responses, and poor problem-solving methods among a host of other developmental issues.

Another study in Germany compared 50 play-based classes with 50 early-learning centers and found that the children in play-based classes excelled over the children in early learning centers. The study concluded that children in the play-based groups were more advanced in reading and math, as well as in the areas of intelligence, creativity, oral expression, and “industry.” Read more at Learning Without Tears…

Your child is likely to benefit much more academically in the long-term when their preschool program involves a lot of play. That’s why we practice this method.

At Spanish for fun! Duraleigh, your child’s social skills will be enhanced through fun activities, while their linguistic and cognitive skills will be developed by learning the Spanish language in an immersive environment.  Call us today at 919-881-1695 or complete the contact form on our website to schedule a tour. We would love to tell you more about us and our educational methods and let you see for yourself how well they work.

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It’s the Winter Season…Here’s What’s Coming at Sff!

’Tis the season for winter fun and holiday activities! Here’s what we have going on at Sff! in the next few months:

January

In January, we learned all about transportation! Bicycles, cars, planes, trains, etc… Our little ones learned all about how we get around.

February

In February, we will be learning all about the Earth! This will include a Science Fair where we will learn what a science experiment is and how to conduct one. We will have several different experiments for the kids to try and will learn and get excited about science!

Important dates to remember:

• Wednesday, February 14: Valentine’s Day Celebration
• Monday-Friday, February 19-23: Science Fair Week

March

In March, we will celebrate and learn about different cultures across the world. We’ll learn by listening to the music of different cultures and learning other traditions.

Important dates to remember:

• Monday, March 5: Report Card Day!
• Monday-Friday, March 12-16: Parent-Teacher conferences
• Thursday, March 29: Easter Celebration
• Friday, March 30: Good Friday – School is closed

We’re so excited for all the fun we have planned! If your child isn’t registered for fun, get in touch with us today to schedule a tour of our Duraleigh campus. Call 919-881-1695 or complete the form on our website. We look forward to showing you why your child will thrive with us.

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The Benefits of Early Childhood Education

The moment your child is born, he or she starts learning and developing cognitively, physically, socially, emotionally, and linguistically. As your child grows, their brain acts like a sponge for knowledge — learning from you and from their environment.

While all children will learn and develop quickly during these formative years, there are a lot of benefits to attending a preschool that specializes in early childhood education. Here are just some of the advantages your child will receive from the right preschool.

Social Skills

Being around other children in a safe and educational environment helps children develop social skills. Preschool allows them to engage both with other children and with adults, which is crucial to the development of social skills like listening, expressing ideas, sharing, making friends and being accountable for actions.

Autonomy

Allowing your little one to learn, discover and explore outside of your home and care, helps them develop autonomy. Learning how to be independent at an early age will help them later in life when independence is crucial. Allowing your child to explore on their own helps them develop a sense of self, and understand how their choices and actions affect outcomes.

Language Acquisition

Kids don’t come out of the womb speaking your language. They learn from you and from their environment. Preschool helps nurture language development and communication skills as they learn from and practice with teachers and classmates.

In addition to learning English, the preschool years are the perfect time for children to acquire a second language. Enrolling your child in a language immersion preschool (like Spanish for fun!) will help them on the road to bilingualism. And as you probably know, there are many benefits to being bilingual.

Some of these benefits include:

• Enhanced cognitive ability
• Faster learning
• Empathy and appreciation of other cultures
• Better multitasking abilities
• Increased attention span
• Better memory
• Increased concentration

Attention Span

A quality preschool has lots of activities that help develop your child’s attention span. Children learn concentration, they develop their listening skills and they learn how to follow directions, all through discovery and fun.

Exposure to Diversity

We live in a world rich with diversity. The earlier you expose your child to diverse cultures, thoughts and traditions, the better. Children who learn about diversity at an early age grow up to be more empathetic and understanding of others. They also learn to appreciate and understand that everyone is unique and different.

Better Performance in Grade School

Finally, early education (especially bilingual education) has been proven to help increase performance in grade school. This is because a quality preschool builds the right foundation for learning with regard to your child’s physical, mental, emotional and social development — all things that prepare them for a lifetime.

As a parent, you will be happy to know that you don’t have take our word for it when it comes to the validity of our claims. We have the feedback of a wide array of parents who have sent their children to Spanish for fun!, as well as the support of educators who see our results first-hand in their classrooms.

Here are two examples of the personal comments, phone calls, emails and letters we receive regularly about our school and teaching methods:

From a Happy Parent:

“We feel so fortunate a friend told us about Spanish for fun!. Not only do I feel my children are learning in a safe, diverse, unique environment, but also that they are absolutely adored by the staff. Picking up the children after a long day and still seeing the staff with big smiles and hugs for the everyone is wonderful. I love hearing my children’s language skills progress in both English and Spanish; and the weekly teaching plans seem fun and engaging. We feel lucky to be a part of the Spanish for fun! family!” — Blair

From a Kindergarten Teacher at Wake County Public School:

“Sff! kids are very well prepared to go to any public or private school. The teachers there do a wonderful job instructing them with the basic skills on how to start dealing with their daily lives and growing environment. They come to school with a great vocabulary, with a great ability to follow a conversation in Spanish, and knowing the letters of the alphabet. They get so excited when they hear the songs they already learned in Sff. They also come to school knowing a lot of games from Hispanic cultures. I believe Sff! is an amazing daycare because teachers there prepare students to be well-balanced individuals, capable of dealing with life’s challenges. It is a daycare that not only teaches Spanish; it goes beyond. They teach children to be open minded to a world of different cultures.” — Monica

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