Spanish for Children and Families

What happens when children hear different languages, meet people from different cultures, and discover that the world is bigger than they thought? In this special Luna La Mariposa adventure, Luna flies a little farther than usual and meets new butterfly friends from around the world. Each butterfly greets her in a different language, helping Luna discover that even when words sound different, kindness, curiosity, and friendship can bring us together.

In this episode, children will hear greetings in Spanish, English, Chinese, Italian, French, and Japanese while exploring the importance of empathy, cultural awareness, and connection.

In this episode, I sit down with Chris, director and founder of Ticolingo, a premier Spanish immersion school in Costa Rica, for a heartfelt conversation about language, culture, and what immersive learning can truly look like for teens and families.

This is not a sponsored episode. I invited Chris on the podcast because I have lived this experience as a parent, and what Ticolingo offers aligns deeply with my values around meaningful language learning, cultural connection, and confidence-building.

In This Episode, We Explore:

This episode is Part 2 of a heartfelt tribute to grandparents and the beautiful role they play in raising bilingual children.

In Part 1 (Episode 14), I shared personal stories, reflections, and the lasting legacy my dad created in our family. And today… we bring that love to life.

In this special episode, my dad and my youngest son read a bilingual book that’s close to our hearts:
 “Todos Estamos Conectados / We Are All Connected” by Gabi Garcia.

This story gently reminds us that no matter how different we may seem, we are all d...

Episode 14 – What Grandparents Teach Us About Language, Love, and Legacy

Today’s episode is a little different and one that’s been on my heart for a long time.

It’s both a tribute and a reminder.

A tribute to my dad, who has played a huge role in my life and in my children’s lives, and a heartfelt celebration of grandparents and the beautiful, often overlooked role they play in raising bilingual children.

It’s also a gentle reminder to all of us:
Grandparents matter more than we realize… esp...

In today’s magical episode, we join Luna la Mariposa as she explores the days of the week in Spanish — through colors, counting, and friendship! This bilingual story weaves in familiar vocabulary from past Luna episodes and introduces new phrases and expressions to help young learners build confidence and comprehension.

You’ll hear the story twice:

Whether you're listening at home or in the classroom, this episode is design...

In today’s episode, we are reading a beautiful bilingual book for families: No tengas miedo / Don’t Be Afraid by Ingo Blum.

This story is perfect for families raising bilingual children, with the text presented in both Spanish and English—making it a gentle and meaningful read that helps build language and emotional vocabulary at the same time. This story is all about courage, kindness, and facing big feelings with love and understanding. It's a sweet reminder for little ones (and grown-ups, too!) that it’s okay to feel scared—and that with support, we can be brave.<...

https://www.amazon.com/El-Ratoncito-Perez-Tooth-Fairy/dp/0545162270

This is the Spanish for Children and Families podcast. In today’s episode, we read one of my favorite books for bilingual families.  "El Ratoncito Pérez y the Tooth Fairy" and/or “The Tooth Fairy and El Ratoncito Pérez”.  The book is perfect for families raising bilingual children, with the text presented in both Spanish and English, making it an amazing read that celebrates the best of both worlds. 

As shared in my last episode, this is such a cute bilingual book that brings together two beloved childhood t...

Welcome back to the Spanish for Children and Families podcast! In this exciting return episode, we dive into a topic that isn't often discussed but is crucial for many bilingual families: when the partner who doesn't speak Spanish feels excluded. As a Spanish language coach with over 21 years of experience, I share practical strategies and heartfelt advice to help you navigate these challenges and strengthen your family's bilingual journey.

Episode Highlights:

What's it like to raise bilingual children? Curious about the challenges and joys of juggling two languages at home?
Join us in today’s episode! My guest Lucia Garrett and I dive into our experiences raising bilingual kids. Lucia talks about her journey with bilingualism and how it has been to raise her children learning Spanish. Lucia stresses the importance of patience and consistency, even when faced with challenges. We chat about the ups and downs, the struggles of finding good resources for teaching Spanish, and how to overcome them. I also shared my own story about my so...

Welcome back to "Spanish for Children and Families", your go-to podcast for bringing Spanish into your home in a fun and engaging way. In this episode, we're diving deeper into the journey of teaching Spanish at home, focusing on planning, flexibility, and tuning into your child’s interests. 

Last Episode Recap:
We explored counting from 1 to 10 in Spanish and revisited colors and greetings with "El cumpleaños de Luna la Mariposa." Remember, you can find a free PDF with the story and worksheets on our website to help reinforce learning.

Today’s Focus: Enhanc...

¡Hola y bienvenidos! We're thrilled to have you join us again. If you missed our last episode, we explored part 1 of the significant realities of teaching Spanish at home, discussing the ups and downs of the learning journey and sharing six strategies to manage emotions. Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 in our upcoming episodes.

Today's Episode: We are learning the numbers from 1 to 10!
We're diving into the world of numbers, learning how to count from 1 to 10 in Spanish. Alongside this new lesson, I am sharing a bilingual and Spanish-only story about Luna la Mariposa, followed by a...

Welcome to Episode 6 of Spanish for Children and Families! Whether it's morning, afternoon, or night where you are, I'm thrilled to have you join us! In this episode, we take a slight detour from our language lessons to address something equally important: the emotional and practical aspects of teaching Spanish at home.

In this episode, we reflect on last week's exploration of greetings, colors, and the enchanting story of Luna la Mariposa, which we offered both in Spanish and a bilingual version, with a free PDF available for download at our website, www.jencova.com. We deeply...

Show Notes for Episode 5: Greetings and Colors in Spanish

Welcome back to "Spanish for Children and Families," In this fifth episode, we explore basic greetings and the colorful spectrum of colors. Join us as we lay down the foundational blocks for daily communication and share the enchanting story of Luna la Mariposa, accompanied by printable resources to enhance your learning experience.

In This Episode:

What if I told you there's a theory that can revolutionize the way you approach learning Spanish? Get ready for a linguistic adventure as we explore the magic of Comprehensible Input (CI) in today's episode.

In this episode, I talk about the transformative power of comprehensible input and its impact on learning Spanish, changing the way families approach language acquisition. I contrast the traditional method, filled with grammar drills and vocabulary memorization, with the more natural and immersive approach of CI.

CI creates an immersive and enjoyable learning experience, breaking down language barriers and...

Have you ever wanted to teach your children Spanish at home but found it challenging? 

In this episode, I explore the complexities parents face when teaching Spanish to their kids at home. I discuss five primary challenges: consistency, bilingual confidence, engagement, potential resistance, and adapting to different learning styles. Each challenge presents unique hurdles but also opportunities for growth and connection. From establishing a regular schedule to incorporating interactive activities and celebrating successes, I offer practical strategies to overcome these obstacles.

Key takeaways:

·      Consistency is key in establishing a rou...

Have you ever considered the profound impact of brain plasticity on a child's ability to learn Spanish and how it influences their cognitive development? 

In this episode of the "Spanish for Children and Family" podcast, I explore the concept of brain plasticity and its connection to learning Spanish.

Brain plasticity is especially powerful during childhood. Neuroplasticity, as it's known, refers to the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections in response to learning and experiences. The early years, marked by high plasticity, create an ideal phase for language acquisition, laying the groundwork f...

Have you ever wondered why it's crucial to introduce Spanish to children at home? Join me as we explore the profound significance of teaching Spanish to children and the incredible impact it can have on their lives.
 

In this episode, I approach the questions and uncertainties parents often face when considering how and when to start teaching their children Spanish. I also emphasize the vast cultural opportunities and the global perspective that come with learning Spanish.
 

The first step is seeing the home environment as the initial classroom for a child. I stress th...

Jenny Corredor Varela is a native speaker, Spanish coach, and program creator. With more than 21 years of experience, she has helped children, adults, and families learn this beautiful language whether they speak Spanish at home or not. In the Spanish for Children and Families podcast, she shares great tips for language acquisition, overcoming challenges, and raising bilingual children. She also shares Spanish lessons and helpful resources.