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Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I have to know Spanish to participate in Hola Baby?
No. Parents and children of all fluency levels are welcome. Parents with little to no Spanish language will learn alongside their child, while parents who are fluent or native speakers will receive support in their effort to preserve the Spanish language in their home.
My child is not verbalizing yet, will he/she benefit from learning Spanish?
Yes. It is never too early to introduce a child to language. Even if your child is not verbalizing yet, he/she is in a very active part of language development, often called the “silent period” where children process the language and store it to eventually speak it. Also, many studies have shown that the earlier you introduce your child to a second language, the better chance they are to learn the language system in its essence and have a native accent. However, many parents still feel more comfortable introducing their child to a second language when he/she is beginning to speak. Therefore, it really depends on the comfort level of the parent.
Will learning Spanish delay my child’s acquisition of English?
No. Scientific research has shown no negative effect or delay of introducing children to more than one language at a very early age. As a matter of fact, in other parts of the world it is the norm for children to grow up with two or more languages. In general, there is a wide variation of when children will begin to talk (there are early talkers, late talkers, and those in-between). A child’s rate of language acquisition is inherent within that child from birth and will not be affected by bilingualism. If there are any language delays, they will be present in both languages, and parents should monitor language milestones like any other developmental milestones.
Are the Hola Baby classes conducted only in Spanish?
We strive to conduct the classes in 100% Spanish because we feel that it is important that children are immersed in the Spanish language for the 45-60 minutes they are in class. In reality, we probably conduct the classes in 95% Spanish because there is an English introduction for the first class to make sure that the parents/caregivers understand the structure of the class. Also, parents/caregivers are welcome to stop the class if they are completely lost or they can ask the teacher questions after class. We realize that many parents/caregivers want to learn Spanish too, however, our primary focus is on the children, and immersion is the best way for children to learn a language.
Can my nanny or caretaker attend with my child/ren?
Yes. Any parent, family member, or caretaker can attend with a child.
Can I bring my infant to class?
In short, yes. We allow infants in class as long as they are not mobile and can sit contently in a car seat or stroller. We have had many babies in class and they seem to really enjoy themselves. Once they turn 10 months, they are considered of age to participate in the Hola Baby program and parents will have to pay the session fee.
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