# Help Kiki Fly!

Kiki is determined to take flight and she’s going to give it all she’s got!

## SUPPLIES NEEDED
- printed activity sheets
- crayon or pencil

## WHAT TO PRACTICE
Help your child learn directions as they move through the maze.

## NOTE TO GROWNUPS
In Kiki Can, Kiki tries and fails many times before finally flying high. As they find their way through the maze and encounter dead ends, talk to your child about determination and grit through Kiki’s journey from ground to sky. Did she give up when others told her she couldn’t make her dreams come true? What about when her plans didn’t work?

## Download Activity Sheet:
[Download PDF](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60f5a89e108c2683c870592d/61f1a112801662d6ed48f292_CT-KikiCan_ActivitySheets_01.pdf)

## TAGS
- Animals 
- Art 
- Customs 
- Food 
- Geography 
- History 
- Music & Dance

# 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. **Get the scoop below!**

Sophia Espinoza is a career educator and curriculum designer with seven years of experience teaching in private and independent schools across the country. She is an expert in 21st-century education, including technologically-powered personalization, multilingual and multicultural curriculums, and social-emotional learning.

Sophia began teaching in Chicago Public Schools through Chicago Teaching Fellows, learning to support both English Language Learners and students with neurodiverse needs. Among her proudest accomplishments is launching the AltSchool Spanish Immersion Program, with the mission of creating bilingual global citizens who are socially conscious and environmentally aware. Sophia holds a B.A. from Northwestern University and M.A.Ed. from Dominican University.

# 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. This won’t be confusing to your child; in fact, you’re giving them more opportunities to practice Spanish. Try to find ways to fill the gaps in your language knowledge through apps, books, and music.

### Do you recommend teaching different subjects in different languages?

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, even if they’re doing dual immersion programs. However, it’s important to give kids as much education as possible in the home in Spanish. 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 encourage 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. While this might worry parents, the biggest advice I can give is to ask your child in a very low-pressure way to try again in Spanish.

### 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. Authentic learning opportunities allow kids to organically find the things they really love in another language, whether through reading, entertainment, music, or movement.

### What are some of the social and cultural benefits of bilingualism?

Learning a new language goes hand in hand with learning about that language’s culture, which enhances opportunities to tap into stories, food, and customs of different cultures. Additionally, children who are bilingual can communicate with more people, bridging a gap between their world and the world of others, promoting empathy and better perspective-taking.

### What are some strategies for raising bilingual children?
1. **Start early**: Babies’ brains form neural connections rapidly, allowing them to learn languages much more easily.
2. **Stick with it**: Do not switch to the native language if children start speaking their second language instead.
3. **Make it Joyful**: Select enjoyable content in the target language to maintain interest.