¡Exploremos el Español!
WELCOME TO ¡HOLA! A PLAYGROUP IN SPANISH a grass-roots, language immersion program. For over 13 years and through its own innovative and unique language acquisition method, at ¡HOLA! children learn to love Spanish because it’s taught in the most fun way.
The children who attend ¡HOLA! feel empowered and proud of their achievements, and the language surfaces spontaneously with grace, confidence and enthusiasm.
We apply a natural approach in order to help develop oral skills and provide a great introduction to Spanish for the young, first time beginners. For those who’ve had exposure, the program reinforces language skills and provides the tools to learn gradually. We believe language learning is a process, and we do it by bringing out children’s ability and confidence to recognize Spanish in their daily lives and the desire to learn it because it’s fun!
Our students come from many different cultural backgrounds and skill levels, and our programs have been carefully designed and developed throughout the years. We apply programs that are age appropriate accordingly. ¡HOLA! A Playgroup in Spanish is an integrated program and children can continue learning Spanish through the other ¡HOLA! programs that continue up to the age of 10 years old, in order to prepare children for the global world.
Toddler Program (12-23 Months)
This program is our very first introduction to Spanish for the youngest participants, and is as beneficial and appropriate for those who have had some Spanish background, as it is for total beginners. Our early language acquisition method reinforces learning in a social context through music and play. The class involves music throughout the class, where songs that involve the physical body will help the child identify with him/her self. We work fine motor skills through finger and hand songs, songs for the face, head, and all parts of the body while learning bilateral coordination and hand-eye coordination.
We use hand instruments reinforcing tone, tempo, rhythms and other musical concepts, while reinforcing phonetic sounds in Spanish. The theme of the day is supported with an image. Children learn a few basic words and we sing the songs that are in accordance with this image. We do activities that involve sensory stimulation by touching and playing with different objects and materials that vary from class to class, which aide in the process of building vocabulary. Instrumental music is used as well to support the theme and fosters the interaction between the children and the teacher during playtime. Gross motor coordination and socialization is then encouraged through action and circle songs. Story time and some light drawing maybe included in some of the classes. The class setting is in a circle sitting on the floor with a caregiver present in the class.
Program for 2’s-5’s Our classes have been carefully selected to guide children to build vocabulary and short phrases while identifying themselves with basic concepts in their every day lives. The classes are structured in tiers that center on “the day’s theme” taught through the use of original and traditional songs and music, toys, games, educational material, props and visuals. Our sensory approach includes the use of materials that can be touched, viewed or listened to, and then by reinforcing repetition of the new words and phrases. Story time, where age appropriate children’s literature in Spanish will be used, puppet play and circle time are part of the weekly classes, all while playing and having fun! Native speakers lead children into correct phonetics. An adult participating in the class is optional, and if your child feels comfortable with working with the teacher alone or with the group,
are both encouraged. The setting is sitting in a circle on the floor. We will try to create an environment at their own home or with a group of buddies for the children to feel safe and comfortable with Spanish. As the child continues to participate, an atmosphere of trust will be established In ¡HOLA!, children are given a space to express and create where language games, play, artistic expression and socialization are cornerstones of this program.
Spanish Program (Kindergarten-1st grade) Children in this program will continue building vocabulary and reinforcing what they learned in the ¡HOLA! early childhood programs through a wealth of language concepts and activities by using various resources. Children will master the Spanish alphabet and sounds, and with continuous exposure and as the program develops, they will learn to spell words and short phrases on their own. They will be able to understand phrase structures and content of the phrase, to translate on their own, to verbalize and repeat correctly the sound of words when put together in a phrase, and will be able to develop writing and reading skills by the end of this course. Basic Spanish grammar concepts will become clear and children will be enabled to respond to verbal commands.
The programs were designed congruently to integrate the same words that they are learning through the different resources, such as workbooks, flashcards, worksheets, alphabet tubs and books. A fun activity will include to form their “Animalfabeto”, which will be completed by the end of the course. Through this activity book we expand our knowledge of the animal kingdom through short verses or poems of the animal of the day. The setting is classroom-like, as we sit through the 1 hr class. This program is appropriate for beginner writers/ readers, or for children who’ve had no exposure to Spanish before and are between K-1st grades.
5’s and Beyond Our advanced learners will be taught through our communicative approach by actively participating in challenging language activities and games, grammatical instruction, vocabulary-enhancing projects, and an emphasis on accent, pronunciation, listening comprehension and oral expression in Spanish will be fostered. Our objective is for our students to become competent readers, writers, and language users . Our carefully planned lessons include a large number of workbooks and worksheets, audio material, literature and card games. Some school supplies will be used in the program which need to stay at the hosting home, as they will be used on a weekly basis. Among other benefits, children will learn organizational skills by storing and placing worksheets in their binders at the end of each class. The setting is a classroom-like one.
ยกNos Vemos Pronto!
Please contact ยกHOLA! to plan your private class for a small group or one-one
(917) 648-5006 | info@holaplaygroup.com