¡Aprendiendo en primera infancia! / Learning in Early Childhood

A major aspect of our early childhood program is that it follows an emergent curriculum approach, which means that themes, projects and studies emerge from the ideas of the students. This methodology provides the opportunity for each class to learn additional Spanish vocabulary that connects with their homeroom’s topic of study, making the learning more meaningful.

In la tierra de los Catbirds, Catbirdland, our youngest AFS members have taken quite an interest in “things that go”. Therefore, the students have been learning the Spanish vocabulary for some of the most common modes of transporte (transportation) such as…

airplane – avión

car - carro

boat - bote

motorcycle - motocicleta

bicycle - bicicleta

train - tren

school bus – autobús

helicopter – helicóptero

In la tierra de los gorriones, Sparrowland, the students have shown an appeal for animales de la sabana (savanna animals). Each student chose an animal to research and flashcards were created, providing ample opportunities to play various games that helped reinforce the learning. 

Asha, Hippopotamus – hipopótamo

Dylan, Lion – león

Grace, African leopard - leopardo africano

Henry, White-tailed Vulture, buitre de espalda blanca

Jaylen, White rhinoceros - rinoceronte blanco

Jessica, Zebra- cebra

Lincoln, Black rhinoceros - rinoceronte negro

Millie, African Bush Elephant – elefante africano de arbusto

Nate, Nile crocodile- cocodrilo del Nilo

Thea, Cheetah – chitah

Vivian, Giraffe - jirafa

Zev, African Wild Dog – perro salvaje africano

And, to connect with los Cadinales’ curiosity, the students have been learning the names of the nine planets in the solar system, el sistema solar, including the sun, el sol.

Mercury – mercurio

Venus – venus

Earth – la Tierra

Mars – marte

Jupiter – júpiter

Saturn – saturno

Uranus – urano

Neptune- neptuno

Pluto – plutón

We are having so much fun singing, playing and laughing in Spanish class. ¡Muy divertido!