How to Teach Manners While Having Fun

How to Teach Manners While Having Fun

By Nuria Santamaría Wolfe

Manners matter. We all want our kids to be well-mannered citizens of the world and teaching them to be so shouldn’t have to be boring. 

While manners include everything from saying “please” and “thank you” to offering compliments and exhibiting proper etiquette at the dinner table, the easiest place to start teaching manners is with greetings. 

Proper greetings like “Hello” or “Good morning” are the first step for your little one to establish a relationship with a new friend or to make a great first impression with her teacher at the start of the school day.

Here are a few tips to help your little ones practice greeting phrases:

  • Use Songs: There are so many bilingual songs to choose from but our favorite is the very simple but very fun “Hello, good morning”.  Watch our Little Chickies greet each other and greet the day in our catchy sing-along video here, and check out our YouTube education channel for more tunes. 

They can learn these phrases in English and in Spanish…so they can greet twice as many friends!

A simple “hello” in someone’s native language goes a long way to establish a connection with someone. Nothing makes a person smile more than knowing that a stranger is trying to speak to them in their own language.  Learning to say “hello” in multiple languages can be fun! 

Sing in English. Sing in Spanish. Sing in Spanglish! 

Sing every morning to salute the day with joy and to establish the behavior. 

  • Role Play: Use your child’s favorite stuffed animals and throw a pretend tea party or birthday party.  Ask your child to greet each animal as he/she arrives at the party with phrases like “Hello” and “Thanks for coming.” 

You can respond with your most sweet bunny voice with “Hi. How are you?.” and with the most majestic wave of your elephant trunk with a “Nice to see you”. 

Act out shaking hands, paws, trunks, etc. and giving snuggly hugs.  Switch roles to allow your child to role play as his/her favorite lovie. 

Soon your little one will get the hang of it and start to realize how nice it feels to greet and be greeted with a warm welcome.

As you try these creative ways to help your little one learn the concept of greetings, don’t forget your own manners and express gratitude for their effort. “Thank you” and “Gracias” are among the sweetest words they can hear from you.

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5 Superpowers to Cultivate in Our Kids.

5 Superpowers to Cultivate in Our Kids.

By Susie Jaramillo

I believe we each have our own “superpowers” or strengths that make us unique and special.  As parents, we want to pass on our best traits and cultivate our children’s own super powers. 

I’ve thought a lot about my own superpowers and how I can best prepare my children with their own. 

I was never very good at math. My dyslexia and lack of short-term memory may have had something to do with that! I’m not much use in science either: the telephone is still a mystery to me (and I mean the old-fashioned kind, never mind smartphones). Therefore, my ability to cultivate those qualities in my kids have been relegated to my husband. 

So, as an entrepreneur, a creative professional and a Latina mom who wants to see her kids do good in this world, what could be the superpowers I could help them cultivate? 

Here are the 5 superpowers I use to infuse every part of the Canticos brand.  These are the same 5 superpowers I instill in my children.  I share them with you in hopes they can inspire the values that you cultivate in your own children. 

Imagination and a love of creative play.

Cultivate an organic love of learning and creative exploration. If they can imagine things, they can build things. If they can learn to project and construct narratives around those projections, they can learn to communicate and help bring new ideas to life. This is the kind of thinking that will be valued in work places everywhere and will lead to a more constructive adulthood.

An appreciation for roots and a second language. 

I regularly seek out ways to expose my children to my language and my culture. Why? Because bilingualism is truly good for their brains. I also want my children to be proud of their roots, and gain confidence from their ability to navigate between cultures. I want them to be able to share with their relatives and bond with others through this shared culture. 

This will better prepare them to bond with people from other communities as well, that might be foreign to their own, and create a sense of openness that will be very valuable to them long term.  

Sense of humor.

Humor and intelligence go hand and hand; the one thrives off of the other. But humor can do so much more. The ability to laugh at oneself or at a situation is one of the healthiest things one can do.  

To appreciate the humor in any given context and laugh about it, is a crucial part of stress management. It’s also a wonderful bonding tool for lasting friendships, an ice breaker for when tensions are high, and a crucial ingredient for creating an enjoyable life. If I can teach my child how to be happy, and make others smile along the way, I will have done my job well.

An appreciation for music and rhythm.

Experts talk about the value of music and its influence on memory, pattern, spatial intelligence, social activity, creative thought, etc. The benefits seem endless.

For me, music is logic. It’s math transformed into a universal language that everyone understands. It tells us in an abstract way that things have a reason for being, that there is harmony in the world and that somehow, it all comes together and makes sense. The ability to create music develops a healthy and lasting confidence. And last but not least, really great music can lift your spirit and change the mood of a room.

Sense of empathy & warmth.

If I can instill one value above all others, it is a sense of generosity of spirit. That one should seek to understand and empathize with playmates of all sizes, shapes, backgrounds and cultures. That hugs are good and that nurturing yields results – whether it’s a project or a person.  At the end of the day we are all on this planet together and it is crucial that we take care of each other as best we can.

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A Sweet Canticos Themed Birthday Party

The Sweetest Canticos-Themed Birthday Party

By Nuria Santamaría Wolfe 

Birthdays are an excuse for parents to spoil their kids just a little more than on a typical day.  This is exactly what talented painter and baker, Cake Wars winner and Latina mom Alicia Becerra did when her daughter asked for a Canticos themed birthday party inspired by our ‘Las Manañitas’ book and bilingual song.

The celebration included a “Pin the Crown on Sammy” game, a handmade Solecito/Lunita piñata, hand painted cookies, as well as a party outfit inspired by Kiki Chickie.

The celebration featured Alicia’s famous hand painted cookies, which have been featured on the Food Network, Parents Magazine, BuzzFeed, and many others. 

Check out more beautiful photos from the sweet celebration here.

If you want to create your own Canticos-themed fiesta, check out our Birthday Kit, easy to download, print, and decorate for your perfect celebration of bilingualism

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Canticos Learning Talk with Little Mice/Ratoncitos

Canticos Learning Talk with Little Mice/Ratoncitos 

By Nuria Santamaría Wolfe 

Kids love to read and reread books. Why not take that opportunity to build-in other activities to make the most out of reading it each time? 

Here are some tips to help you maximize the bilingual benefits, learning and fun with the third book in the Canticos book series: Little Mice/Ratoncitos – Based on the popular nursery rhyme in Spanish, “Cinco Ratoncitos de Colita Gris” (Five Grey-Tailed Mice).  This book follows little mice on their mission to eat as much cheese as possible before they get caught by the cat. Kids will enjoy this easy-to-read book with colorful characters and fun lift-the-flap surprises that help them learn the names of shapes in English and Spanish.

  1. Talk

Use the book to talk about animals like mice, and have your little one explain to you what they eat. This is a great opportunity to discuss predators and prey.  

  1. Sing

The descriptive lyrics lend themselves to acting out the actions while the song is sung. Encourage children to shake their mouse ‘tail’ and ‘nose’ as they munch on all the imaginary cheese they can find. Want to keep practicing? Check out Canticos’s library of songs and videos on our Youtube education channel.

  1. Read

What’s more fun than reading a great story? Reading it twice, in two languages.

Novelty book: Read the story once in English. Flip the book and read it in Spanish. Open the book across to see all spreads at once and: 1. Lay it flat on the floor to see the whole story at once or 2. Stand it up and connect the ends into a circle to sit inside and be surrounded by the story.

Board book: Pick one language to read the story through. Start again in the second language. 

  1. Write

Depending on your child’s ability, practice drawing shapes or writing the names of them like “square” and “circle.” Lift the flaps to find the English/Spanish translations. 

  1. Play

This is a great book to teach little ones the names of basic shapes. Encourage your little one to look around the room and point out items with specific shapes. “I spy with my little eye…a triangle!” Have fun and know that they are strengthening their bilingualism through play.  

Make it a game! Award one point per correct item named. Award points generously and have fun!

Find more resources in our Parents resource center here.

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5 Tips To Develop Avid Bilingual Readers

ENGLISH | SPANISH

Top 5 Tips To Develop Avid Bilingual Readers

By Fabi Harb

Encouraging your kids to develop good reading habits will not only be beneficial for them academically, it will also provide them with a lifelong skill to be successful in their adult years. As parents, it’s up to us to make reading, in both English and Spanish, a fun part of their bilingual education. Today I will share 5 easy tips to help you raise bilingual children at home:

  1. Add reading to your everyday life

Instilling a passion for books goes beyond reading stories to and with them. Be the example! Let them see you reading a book, a magazine or an eBook every day. This will show them that reading is a powerful tool, especially if you alternate between English and Spanish books or only read books in your target language. 

Keep books everywhere at home and even in your car! If you make reading a part of your daily routine, your child will most likely look forward to this daily activity.

  1. Turn reading into an enjoyable experience

If reading seems like homework to your kids, they will most likely find it tedious and boring. However, if you turn reading into a game, the learning experience will become more enjoyable.

There are easy games you can play with them, in both languages, such as asking to guess a word you have in mind: “I’m thinking of a word that rhymes with _________. Can you guess the word?” You can also switch roles and your child can ask you the questions.

  1. Be encouraging and patient

Every child is unique and learns at a different pace. Some may pick up reading quickly while others may need more time. Calmly correct your children for missed words and praise them for how well they read a passage or a sentence. In this instance, consistency is key!

  1. Repeat the story, build vocabulary

There might be a story that your child loves and asks you to repeat time and time again. While it may seem tiring, take advantage of this opportunity to incorporate new words and help develop a greater vocabulary. Once your child knows the story, ask him to share it using his own words!

  1. Don’t forget about writing!

Reading and writing go hand-in-hand. Ask your child to create a list of various items around the house. Once the list is complete ask him to read the list back to you. Work on any misspelled words or mispronunciations while remembering to praise the effort!

To instill a love of reading, in both languages, among your children, you can find these and other tips on ReadConmigo.org. Read Conmigo, a bilingual literacy program sponsored by Infinity Insurance, provides several resources to help your child become a stronger reader. After signing up to our bilingual program, you’ll have access to dozens of free bilingual books as well as other educational apps in Spanish and fun activities for the little ones in the family.

About the author:

Fabi is a first generation college graduate who received degrees in Business from Pepperdine University and UCLA.  She is Infinity’s Multicultural Marketing Manager and Director of the National Read Conmigo bilingual book program which mails free bilingual books to families looking to encourage a love for culture and bilingualism in the home. As an immigrant, born and raised in Mexico, and a mom to three amazing kids, she believes in empowering our youth to grow and give back to our community while never forgetting the beauty of our roots and culture. 

Readers can find more tips at ReadConmigo.org and @readconmigo. For any questions or comments, you can email Fabi at [email protected].

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Managing Children’s Frustration

ENGLISH | SPANISH

Managing Children’s Frustration

By Paul Walia

Children are especially sensitive to change and the current health crisis has only added to many children’s feelings of uncertainty and frustration. Parents play a vital role in helping to maintain their child’s sense of security and predictability. Below are some practical tips and recommendations fostering resiliency and security in children in the wake of COVID-19.

  1. Validate and celebrate. Emotions such as frustration and worry are not taboo and your child’s willingness to express real emotion should be both validated and celebrated. The key is to teach your child to express emotions in a healthy and productive way. By validating your child’s emotions, you are fostering resilience because he/she will feel less threatened, feel less apprehensive, and will be more apt to express feelings in the future.

     

  2. Build resilience. Don’t wait till your child gets upset to teach about feelings and coping skills. Use TV shows, books, and other mediums to find age appropriate resources to help illustrate and teach about positive problem-solving. Embrace the reality that your child will get upset or lose control at some point in time. Help your child navigate the emotional landscape by building confidence and teaching emotional intelligence in advance.

     

  3. Empower your child. Confidence stems from a sense of industry and feelings of competence. While it is easy to step in and problem solve for your child, it will eventually lead to dependency and self-doubt. Instead, align yourself with your child and guide them through the positive coping process. Also, help them build industry by assigning your child responsibilities like chores, and helping with common tasks around the house. The resulting sense of pride and accomplishment will pay huge dividends when your child has to face unexpected outcomes.

     

  4. Be proactive. Build structure and routine into your child’s day. Nothing breeds comfort like consistency. Routine leads to predictability and subsequently to feelings of safety. By adhering to established routines and schedules, you are helping to communicate that there is control over your child’s environment. While flexibility is the key to resilience, positive expectations and consistency provide children with the fortitude to adapt to disappointment and unexpected change.

     

  5. Practice self-care. Modeling is the single most powerful teaching modality, and actions speak louder than words. By practicing self-care and maintaining a positive demeanor, you will be able to maintain a calm disposition in the face of stress and chaos. You will also be better prepared to withstand your child’s expression of frustration and remain calm. By modeling positive behaviors and reactions your child will follow suit and display the same behaviors. 

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Stickers for Mommy

Stickers for Mommy

About This Activity

Use these stickers to decorate a card for mamá! Making a gift for someone you love is a great way to set positive goals while practicing empathy.

Ages: 3+
Level:
Easy
Materials: Printed activity sheets; crayons or colored pencils, scissors, blank paper for your card, glue stick
Instructions

1. Print out activity sheet.
2. Color in each sticker, use your mommy’s favorite colors if you want.
3. Cut out your stickers and decorate a card for mamá by glueing them on however you like.
4. Try your superpower! Write a note to Mommy in Spanish using words to tell her how much you love her.

How Your Kid Benefits

This activity encourages social emotional learning by allowing kids to set a positive goal and engaging their sense of empathy and creativity to maintain a loving relationship.

Bonus Benefit!

Children who learned a second language were better able to filter out irrelevant information and focus on important information, thus making them more skilled at prioritizing different tasks and balancing multiple projects.

Note to Grown-Ups

You can help your child with this activity by modeling letter writing, which is an effective way to introduce and enrich pre-writing lessons. The Stickers section of the Canticos App is a great way to continue this fun.

Activity Sheet

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Tracing Patterns!

Tracing Patterns!

About This Activity

Patterns are everywhere! Grab a pencil and see if you can trace all of the different patterns in this fun pre-handwriting activity.

Ages: 3+
Level:
Easy
Materials: Printed activity sheets; pencils; crayons or colored pencils
Instructions

1. Print out activity sheet.
2. Have fun tracing the different patterns with a crayon, pencil, or colored pencil.
3. Get creative tracing on new surfaces- on salt trays, a steamed window, in the air, on your palm, anywhere you can think of.
4. Try your superpower! Look for different patterns around you, in nature, art, buildings, everywhere!

How Your Kid Benefits

This activity engages fine motors skills, pattern recognition, pre-handwriting and eye hand coordination skills.

Bonus Benefit!

Bilingual children were found to have a higher aptitude for standardized tests and found in a study that followed children throughout their acquisition of a second language.

Note to Grown-Ups

Art time is a great opportunity to practice mindfulness. If your child is working on an art project independently, encourage them to do so mindfully by working in a quiet, calm, focused way. This activity works well as a supplement to the Art section of the Canticos app.

Activity Sheet

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Star Light, Star Bright / Estrellita de la nochecita

Star Light, Star Bright / Estrellita de la nochecita

About This Activity

Look on with the lyrics and sing along to this classic nursery rhyme in English and Spanish.

 

Ages: 2+
Level:
Easy
Materials: Printed activity sheets; pencils; crayons or colored pencils
Instructions

1. Print out activity sheet. If you don’t have a printer, you can look at the lyrics on your computer.
2. Read and sing along to our song “Star Light, Star Bright/ Estrellita de la nochecita” in English and Spanish.
3. Try your superpower! Go outside at night and see what stars you can see, find your own wishing star and make a wish in Spanish using “Yo deseo…”.

How Your Kid Benefits

This activity stimulates right brain activity, helping to commit new words to memory through movement, singing and dance.

Bonus Benefit!

Researchers found that bilingual students are better able to filter out classroom noise than their monolingual peers.

Note to Grown-Ups

Help your child out with the lyrics as you sing this song, for help with pronunciation, have them listen listen to song in Music section of the Canticos App.

Activity Sheet

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Little Chickies Board Game

Little Chickies Board Game

About This Activity

Join the Little Chickies in this fun board game for the whole family, giving kids the perfect opportunity to strengthen their early math skills in English and Spanish.

Ages: 3+
Level: Medium
Materials: Printed activity sheets; scissors
Instructions

1. Print out activity sheet and follow the game instructions.
2. Practice addition with the three Little Chickies in this board game.
3. Try your superpower! Try and make your own board game at home, or take a favorite board game and play in Spanish!

How Your Kid Benefits

This activity stimulates early math understanding and numerical skills while introducing bilingual vocabulary.

Bonus Benefit!

A study found that bilingual people tended to be more adept than monolinguals at solving certain kinds of mental puzzles.

Note to Grown-Ups

This board game is a great way to introduce addition. While you don’t have to explicitly ask children to add, have them combine two numbers to make a bigger number. For example, “You are on square 10 and you have to move up 4, what square are you on now?”

Activity Sheet

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