Learn about Mexico: Draw an Axolotl

In Mexico, one of the most studied salamanders in the world are known as Axolotls.

Wild axolotls live in swampy areas of Lake Xochimilco and in the canals that flow into the southern edge of Mexico City.

Axolotls have also been known to have once lived in Lake Chalco, one of Mexico City’s five “great lakes”. This is one of the areas that the Aztecs settled. The Aztec called themselves Culhua-Mexica and they were a Nahuatl-speaking people who ruled a large empire in what we now call central and southern Mexico. The Axolotl name comes from the Nahuatl language and is pronounced Ax-oh-lot-ul. Atl means “water” and axolotl means “dog,” after the Xolotl, the canine Aztec deity.

In today’s lesson, we will learn how to draw your own Axolotl!

Before you begin, you will need a pencil, eraser, and colored pencils or crayons.

1. Did you know: Even though the Axolotl is commonly known as a “Mexican Walking Fish” it is not a fish at all. Axolotls are salamanders which is also a kind of amphibian. They are more like a cousin to a frog than they are to a fish.

2. Axolotls are carnivores known to eat worms, insect larvae, tiny shellfish known as crustaceans, and some fish.

3. Axolotls can live up to 10-15 years but are now considered to be a critically endangered species.

4. Did you know: Axolotls are neotenic salamanders, which means even as they grow older, Axolotls still look as if they are young.

5. Axolotls can regenerate (which is a fancy word to re-grow) the same limb up to 5 times!!

Download Activity Sheet:

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Benefits of Bilingualism (FAQs):

Any advice on managing two Spanish dialects in the household? Does this cause confusion for kids?

Now that our world is more interconnected than ever, there are plenty of families where each parent could be from a different country in Latin America, with distinctive dialects, vocabulary, slang, and culture. And that’s totally ok for kids to be exposed to. Their perspectives are broadened and they learn to communicate cross-culturally, it’s a thing to be celebrated. Sometimes kids may switch vocabulary when talking to different parents, which is absolutely fine. They’re not confused, if anything this shows their flexibility.

What do you recommend if I’m not completely fluent and my child’s school doesn’t have an immersion class?

I always encourage as much Spanish exposure as possible. Don’t worry about immersion classes availability or not being completely fluent as a parent. Use the Spanish you know, even if you may need to speak Spanglish, I sometimes only know a word in Spanish or vice versa, which is totally okay. This won’t be confusing to your child, in fact, you’re giving them more opportunities to practice Spanish.

Do you recommend teaching different subjects in different languages? For example, the solar system in English and the days of the week in Spanish?

Parents who live in an English-speaking country need to remember that children are always going to learn English; their world is in English, their peers speak English. However, though it can feel a little counterintuitive, it’s important to give kids as much education as possible in the home in Spanish. They will inevitably learn English, and it will be even better if they learn their native language first.

We speak Spanish and English in our home but my child almost always answers or talks back in English. How can I go about encouraging her to respond and speak more in Spanish?

Many kids may be in a classroom where they hear English all day, before going home and hearing Spanish. Try to avoid saying things like, "no, say it again in Spanish"; rather, encourage your child to show you what they do know.

What are some common misconceptions about raising bilingual children?

1. Misconception: Learning two languages can be confusing for children.
   Reality: They may speak in a jumbled-sounding way; but this doesn’t mean they are confused, they are simply still developing proficiency in each language.

2. Misconception: It’s easy to learn a second language simply by exposing it to your child.
   Reality: Children need significant exposure to it (an estimated 30-40%) to keep proficiency in their native language.

3. Misconception: Bilingual children struggle academically.
   Reality: They may know a lot, but it is scattered across all their languages, so it might not be so clear if given an assessment in just one language.