Encantos - Stories with purpose inspired by culture

My Senses

Explore the five senses with your Canticos friends with this easy-to-make sensory cube!

Print and cut out the template, then carefully fold inward along each line. Add a thin line of glue to the outside of each flap, then press to attach it to the next side of the cube. When you’re done, you’ll have a paper cube you can roll for sensory play!

SUPPLIES NEEDED

WHAT TO PRACTICE

Help your child explore their five senses by rolling the cube and looking around the room to find something to explore using the sense you rolled.

NOTE TO GROWNUPS

In Things I Do, our Canticos friends explore the world around them using each of their five senses. As you play, talk to your child about their favorite things to smell, touch, taste, see, and hear.

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Ask a Bilingual Expert

Raising a bilingual child? On this page, our very own Director of Learning Design and Efficacy, Sophia Espinoza, addresses some of the most common questions, concerns, and curiosities around the benefits of bilingualism.

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, which is totally okay. Try to find ways to fill the gaps in your language knowledge, through apps, books, and music. The Canticos Bilingual Preschool App is a great option for all parents because it provides reinforcement for different levels of fluency.

Do you recommend teaching different subjects in different languages?

It is important to give kids education in the home in Spanish. They will learn English at school; therefore, teaching certain subjects in Spanish will help them learn new vocabulary that they wouldn’t get in everyday conversation.

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

One approach is to ask your child to try again in Spanish in a low-pressure way. Avoid forcing them to speak in Spanish, which might make them feel pressured. Celebrate their efforts and provide them with the vocabulary needed to improve their fluency.

Should I set aside time or create activities for each language or is it okay to mix them both together?

It’s very important to provide authentic opportunities for children to speak both languages. Allow them to pursue what they love which will help to joyfully explore their new language.

Any advice for households where one parent speaks Spanish and the other English? Can this be confusing for children?

It’s beneficial if children grow up with multiple languages. Encourage parents to freely speak their native language around their kids; this provides a solid foundation in each language.