G's escuela

G started at a Spanish Immersion pre-school this week. What is he immersed in do you ask? Well, Spanish - all day long by native Spanish speaking teachers. They teach regular pre-school but only in Spanish. G did really well on his first day with no tears. He's used to going to a school everyday, but he was nervous about a new school. They integrate them in the first two weeks by speaking a mixture of Spanish and English. They get 30 min. of English every day where they work on days of the week, months, time, etc. I've heard from several parents that their children understand almost everything within the first semester but truly understand within the first year, however they won't speak it until the end of the second or third year. When I picked him up that evening I overheard him say "I had a lot of fun!" He's never said that about school before. Now the stinker overheard me tell several people what he said, and the second day he made it clear to me that "I don't like this new school." But after talking to his teacher, he clearly did well and had a lot of fun. During the summer, they are having themed camps each week. This week is Art Camp and they are learning about Salvadore Dali. They are making pictures that resemble Dali's work, and G's picture looks great so far. I'll post when they bring them home.

We walk in each morning and every teacher has a smile on her face, greets him by name and asks him how he's doing (in Spanish) - EVERY teacher does this whether he's in her class or not. G's teacher is young, cute and full of energy. She's impressed with G, and I'm impressed with her.

I saw a little girl from G's soccer team in his class. She's been going for two semesters, and she's now fluent. Wow. Her parent's do not know Spanish at all. She came running into class telling the teacher that she brought her napmat and for them to look at her new socks - all in Spanish. She's the exception, not the norm, but how exciting. What I would give to be fluent in Spanish and not have to work that hard to learn it like I would as an adult.

He will be able to attend Kindergarten here as well, and they have a later cut off date than public school. They conduct class in Spanish for 3 days and English for 2 days per week, which is taught by a different teacher who is accredited and taught Kind. for years and years. Since he's a Sept. baby, I could send him to Kind. here at 5 and then repeat regular Kind. at a public school when he's almost 6.

They also have an after school program one day a week after he goes to public school through age 12. That keeps them brushed up until they start Spanish in school.

Who knows how it will all pan out, but I am excited about the possibilities, but I'm even more excited about him having fun and being in a friendly, positive, nurturing environment.

I'll keep you posted on his progress...

And you know my name is Simon, and I like to do drawrings...

I have a boy's boy, which will probably mean I will have a man's man. He has such an engineering geared mind. He's never been interested in coloring or even sitting still for that matter, unless he's taking something apart. I was soooo happy when my little boy's mind is starting to show interest in writing and drawing. He handed this to me the other night, and you would have thought he drew the Mona Lisa!

It was so cute how he described every piece to me, so I had to label it for prosperity. Of course the following night the interest was gone, and he was off taking something apart or putting it back together. :) I will take what I can get.