Whether it’s Go Fish or Monopoly, weekly game nights ensure you and your little ones have one night of the week set aside for laughter, connection, and social-emotional learning. Add language learning to the mix and you’ve got a recipe for academic success! Here are our top three games for interactive language learning.

Guess The Language

Beyond teaching new words and phrases to your kids, this game is a great way to introduce the concept of multiculturalism by exposing kids to the different languages and cultures.

The rules are simple. In a variety of languages, write common phrases such as “home,” “I love you,” or “thank you” on blank flash cards. Allow each child to pick a card. Have them read the phrase on the card (or read it for them) and let everyone in the family take turns guessing which language it is.

Whoever guesses correctly keeps the card. The family member with the most cards at the end wins!

Simon Says: International Style

Simon Says has been a staple of homes, schools, and camps for decades. The premise is simple. Simon (the leader) instructs everyone to do a variety of tasks that range from touching their head to stomping their feet. If a direction starts with “Simon says,” players should obey. If it doesn’t, no one should move. Anyone who follows directions not prefaced with “Simon says” is out. Last player standing wins.

Adding a dose of language learning to the game is as simple as tossing in a few phrases in the target language. Rather than Simon giving the command to run in English, give it in French or Spanish. Kids will be so busy having fun, they won’t realize how much they’re learning!

Family Scavenger Hunt

Easy and fun for the whole family, creating a multilingual scavenger hunt doesn’t have to be complex. Simply hide objects throughout the house and use your child’s target language to write simple clues on flashcards. Explain to your kids that each object they find will count as one treasure. Whoever collects the most treasures at the end of the game wins.

Involve the whole family in fun language learning games and watch excitement grow as kids discover the joy of learning and laughing at the same time!

The post 3 Ways to Bring Language Learning to Game Night first appeared on Professor Toto.

Sounds good, but how? As we’ve consulted with experts across the country, we’ve realized the endeavor isn’t nearly as overwhelming as it seems. Chances are good that many of these are things you’ve already worked into your daily lives. Read on for some helpful, and practical, tips.

Model, Model, Model

As the old adage goes, your kids are watching. Whether it’s being rude to the waiter who misunderstands an order or rolling your eyes at your partner, your kids notice how you interact with the world around you and mirror the behavior. Let’s revisit the disorganized waiter example. Instead of showing frustration, ask your kids “I wonder how he felt when he delivered the wrong meal? How would you feel?” And then listen.

Validate Feelings… Even Unpleasant Ones

Kids are walking feeling machines. Every feeling is a big one. It’s easy to fall into the trap of dismissing “irrational” feelings and pushing your kids to “get over it and get going.” But, as time consuming as it can be, validating your kids emotions does more than make them feel better. It models a truly empathetic response to the emotions of others and gives kids a blueprint for responding to the feelings of their peers as they develop.

Catch Your Kids Being Kind

Reinforced behavior sticks around. It’s a parenting fact as old as time. Rather than embarking on one lengthy conversation about feelings and kindness after another, catch your kids being kind to their siblings, friends, and relatives. If you see your son lift his brother up to get something off a shelf or you witness your daughter offer a friend a hug, praise them for their kindness. Chances are high that your positive reinforcement will have a much longer lasting impact than even the best conversation can.

As always, we welcome tips from you! Feel free to visit our Facebook page and let us know how you’re teaching empathy to your little ones.

The post Raising Empathetic Kids: A Cheat Sheet first appeared on Professor Toto.

Inviting the little ones into the kitchen and exploring the multicultural cuisines is a great way to embrace relaxed evenings with family while sneaking in a interactive language lesson or two.

Round up the measuring cups and spoons, grab an apron and a step stool, and join your kids on a culinary trip around the world.

Bienvenidos Mexico! This week, we’ll explore Mexican dishes. Be sure to check back next week for some yummy French recipes.

Easy Guacamole Dip

Sure to please the palates of everyone from your toddler to your partner; guacamole is easy to make, full of healthy ingredients, and simply delicious. Recipes don’t get simpler than this. Whip up a bowl, grab some chips, and declare it Family Movie Night.

• 1 large avocado
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1 small bunch of French cilantro, chopped
• 1 purple onion, chopped
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 lime
• Salt and pepper

Start by slicing the avocado around the seed to separate the halves. Then, let your little ones go to town scooping out the flesh from the skin. Scoop into a mixing bowl and mash. Add the garlic, cilantro, onion, and tomato and stir. Squeeze a little lime juice on top and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with chips and eat!

Quesadillas 

A surefire way to get even the pickiest of eaters to devour protein and veggies, quesadillas are an easy Mexican staple to add to your weekly dinner recipe roundup.

• 1 8oz can of black beans, drained
• Grilled chicken breast, sliced
• 12 small mushrooms, sliced and grilled
• 4 ounces of shredded cheese (the variety of your choice)
• 1 dozen tortillas
• Guacamole (see previous recipe)
• Sour cream

On a flat tortilla; spoon chicken, beans, and mushrooms before covering with shredded cheese. Once the cheese is added, cover with a second tortilla. Heat a frying pan to medium heat and add a small amount of oil or butter. Cook each side for 1-2 minutes (long enough for the cheese to melt and the outside to become golden brown). Remove from the heat, open the quesadilla, add guacamole and sour cream, and serve.

We’d love to see what you come up with! Feel free to share pictures of your family enjoying these recipes on our Facebook page with the hashtag #multiculturaladventure.

The post Make This the Summer of Multicultural Cuisine  first appeared on Professor Toto.

Of course not. Your child spent many months listening to the sound of your voice, watching you interact with others around them, and naturally making meaning of what he or she heard before uttering that first (much praised) word.

Now, think about your own life. Think back to the last time you joined a new friend or work group and stumbled across a new term or phrase being thrown around. Almost inevitably, you found yourself using the word regularly within a week — without anyone explaining the meaning or the grammatical principles that govern its usage.

Both examples speak to how natural learning languages through immersion is. Parents looking to teach their kids a new language intuitively understand that kids won’t learn through rote memorization. Instead, they naturally learn through immersive experiences: by watching, hearing, and imitating vocabulary and sentence structure. That, in a nutshell, is the crux of the language immersion theory. In order to effectively learn a language, students need to use it in a real and meaningful way throughout their day.

Immersion programs are defined as those where students spend at least 50 percent of their time interacting in a language other than their native one. As the research has been more widely circulated and accepted, an increasing number of these schools have popped up. Ideally, all students would benefit from this kind of language education. But for parents attempting to encourage bilingualism in their kids without enrolling them in formal language lessons, there are a host of ways you can implement the practice at home.

The easiest of these techniques is employing a tested and proven interactive learning series. To be effective, the series you choose should follow a logical and research-driven curriculum, revolve around music, be conducted almost entirely in your child’s target language, and involve characters and storylines that are emotionally-engaging and relevant to your child’s day to day life. By listening to the music, dancing along with their favorite characters, and participating in fun call and response activities, kids get excited about the material and language development begins naturally.

Unsure where to begin your search? Professor Toto and his animated friends know just the place and your can begin your exploration into immersion learning with a free week of unlimited access to the series’ educational songs, videos, and activities.

The post Understanding the Theory Behind Immersion Learning first appeared on Professor Toto.

The answer might be simpler than you think. Does teaching your child French or Spanish feel like just another task on a seemingly endless list of things you need to do to successfully prepare your little one for adulthood? Therein may lie the problem.

All too often parents are apprehensive about what they believe will go into second language instruction. From private lessons to homework in a language they might not understand, parents are understandably – especially during these chaotic times – reluctant to embark on another “project.” But, if you’re not excited about the prospect, how can you expect your kids to get excited?

Here’s the good news: teaching your child a second language isn’t nearly as stressful or labor intensive as you might think. Why? The answer lies in the difference between how adults learn versus how young children learn.

As adults, we’re primed with a need to intellectually understand everything we’re learning. To grasp a second language, we require explanations about grammatical structures, variances in vocabulary usages, and cultural etiquette. Our brains have been programmed to need to understand the “why” before tackling the “how.”

Kids learn in a completely different manner. For them, the “how” comes before the “why.” Teaching a young child a second language involves little more than immersing themselves in an emotionally-engaging storyline (in their target language), inviting them to sing and dance, and encouraging them to dive into the world of their target language. The more fun they have, the less self-conscious they are, and the more they learn – without even realizing it. That’s why animated videos, interactive learning games, and sing-alongs work so well with little kids.

By taking language lessons off of kids list of “things mom and dad say I have to do” and making them a fun reward after a day of navigating a big world filled with big feelings, you’re transforming learning from chore-time to playtime.

Overwhelmed by all the options available to you? Check out the only animated language learning series developed by a practicing specialist – Professor Toto! Try it today and register for free.

The post Move Language Lessons off the ToDo List first appeared on Professor Toto.

Over forty years of research shows that kids remember what makes them happy. The more positive feelings kids associate with a task or skill set, the more effectively the learning sticks.

That’s why listening to songs, singing along with favorite shows, and laughing at the antics of the characters in their favorite animated educational videos are perfect tools for language acquisition. Additionally, as children familiarize themselves with new words and phrases in songs, they’re picking up new vocabulary without worrying about whether they’re saying it correctly or answering questions according to a teacher’s demands. It makes for stress-free learning. Add all these ingredients together and you have the makings of a learning journey kids will want to engage in day after day.

Looking to start your child’s language journey with language learning videos? Here are some helpful tips to ensure the process is fun for the whole family:

Suggest, Don’t Demand:
Let your kids determine when they want to watch their favorite educational videos. Suggest it as an activity on a regular basis but never force it on your kids. Giving them the ability to decide when and for how long they want to participate inspires them to take ownership of their learning journey.

Cater to Your Child’s Learning Style:
Remember, every child learns differently. This is as true in the classroom as it is out of the classroom. Some kids are content to listen to the songs and process silently. Others might want to sing along and dance while watching. One of your children might shout out the answers to questions posed by characters while another child prefers to answer silently to themselves. Be aware of your child’s learning style and follow their lead.

Be Patient, Always: 
For many parents, it’s easy to forget that hearing and understanding always precede speaking during language acquisition. But, think about your own language development. First your parents or caregivers spoke to you in your native language. As you listened, you began to understand what they were saying. Then, after a learning period, you began to speak the language. The same is true for kids learning a second language. If they don’t immediately start speaking the language, remain calm. It will come.

Language learning can be an exciting journey for your child. Share their enthusiasm and support them in carrying the learning over into their day to day activities. Before you know it, your child will be wowing you with their mastery of their new language. Confidence and conversation will bloom organically!

The post Emotion and Learning: The Correlation That Might Surprise You first appeared on Professor Toto.

The answer might surprise you. Research studying the benefits of second language learning in young children offers up a number of compelling reasons to introduce your child to the foreign language of your choice. From longer attention spans to greater empathy, we’re spotlighting three of the biggest benefits of learning a second language as a toddler.

Elevated Executive Functioning Skills

One of the primary skill sets toddlers need to learn is what is referred to as executive functioning. This refers to activities such as sorting coloring blocks and remembering basic patterns. Covering everything from working memory to emotion regulation, these are a set of mental skills that include flexible thinking, memory, emotional self control, and following directions. Repeated studies show that bilingual toddlers perform markedly better on executive functioning tests than monolingual toddlers.

Increased Attention Spans

Toddlers aren’t exactly known for exceptionally long attention spans. However, when tested, studies show that toddlers who regularly engage in learning a second language – whether through formal, in-person immersion schools or virtual learning technology and educational videos – consistently display better ability to remain focused even in the midst of distracting external stimuli. The benefits of increasing the ability to remain on-task will serve children as they navigate increasingly complex life and academic skills in the next few years. From learning to tie their own shoes to mastering the basics of letter-sound correlation, kids who can focus will outperform those who struggle to pay attention.

Better English Skills

Unless English is not your child’s first language, teaching your kids a second language has been shown to be incredibly helpful in giving them a framework for understanding and mastering the English language. Why? By activating the language learning centers in the brain, you’re activating a multi-purposed set of neural connections that translate organically from one language to the next and give children a boost in language development capabilities.

Looking to start your toddler on a bilingual journey? Start your 7-day trial of the award winning Professor Toto series today!

The post 3 Reasons to Teach Your Toddler a Second Language first appeared on Professor Toto.

As any parent of a special needs child can attest to, quality education requires a team effort. Often this team includes everything from physical and occupational therapists to nurses and classroom aides – along with an array of equipment and tools. How are you expected to suddenly wear the hats of so many trained professionals?

For many, the answer lies in the resiliency you’ve developed over the years of raising your kids. Parents of special needs children are all too familiar with riding out the ups and downs of diverse disorders. From suddenly becoming an expert on something you’ve never heard of before to developing a backbone stronger than any trial lawyer, special needs parents have seemingly superhero reserves of grit.

Tap into that grit, fire up some educational videos, and remember a few key facts.

Homeschooling is Temporary

Homeschooling during this trying time isn’t actually “school.” You are not actually your child’s teacher, physical therapist, or speech therapist. This is a temporary situation that you and your child are working to make the best of. Your kids will be less focused. They will have less access to the critical supports they need. There will be progress they simply won’t be able to make. Educators and experts want to reassure you that this is perfectly fine.

Kids Thrive in the Driver’s Seat

Yes, many schools and districts have sent home work that requires completion. Your child doesn’t get much of a say in this. But, the more opportunities you give your child to make decisions, the more success you both will experience. Whether it’s allowing them to dictate the schedule, offering the ability to say they need a break whenever it’s needed, or allowing them to come up with their own list of things they want to learn; putting your child in the driver’s seat whenever possible inspires a sense of ownership of their own learning and confidence in their ability to contribute.

Plan, Plan, and Then Plan Some More

All children thrive on schedules but this is even more true with special needs children. They’re coming from an environment where their days are planned down to the minute. This provides a sense of emotional security for children who often struggle to feel like they’re in control of their bodies and brains. Involve your child in the process of creating the schedule and then hang it somewhere they can review it daily.

Still struggling? Reach out to your child’s teacher. They are often a wealth of emotional support and actionable suggestions.

The post Homeschooling Special Needs Children : You’ve Got This! first appeared on Professor Toto.

As it turns out, babies as young as 6 months can start differentiating between sounds in multiple languages. In a wildly watched TED talk, Patricia Kuhl explores what she calls the “linguistic genius of babies.” According to her research, not only can babies differentiate between languages, the practice is actually incredibly beneficial to their development.

Children are like sponges; built to constantly absorb new information. Their brains are focused on the basics of language acquisition and social-emotional learning and not cluttered by abstract thinking and concerns. This mean that your three year old’s ability to take in and learn a second language actually far surpasses yours! In fact, repeated studies have shown that this window of learning actually begins to close around age 11. At that point, it becomes much more difficult to pick up additional languages.

Consider your own memory. Sure, you likely find yourself struggling to remember the name of the neighbor you met last week but we’re willing to wager you can quickly recall the lyrics to your favorite song. A young child’s brain operates in much the same way, only faster. By presenting a new language through lessons based in songs, rhymes, and melodies; children quickly grasp the basics of almost any language that’s presented to them.

But, why? Why sign up for language classes for toddlers and kids? Assuming you don’t live in a bilingual household, you might be wondering whether the additional instruction and extra work on your part is worth it. The answer is a resounding yes!

Research repeatedly shows that bilingual children learn faster, demonstrate improved problem solving abilities in all areas of life, enjoy higher rates of creativity, and have exponentially more career opportunities later in life. More and more, we live and work in a global economy. Preparing your kids for success in the world of today and the future means preparing them to communicate and interact with those who don’t speak their native language. Additionally, children who are exposed to a second language early in life develop into more open-minded and tolerant adults.

All the research aside, language lessons are simply fun for young kids! Wondering how to get started? Sign up for two free Skype lessons to get a feel for the instruction and experience. If it’s working for you and your kids, we invite you to continue on with our experienced staff of instructors.

The post Think Your Child is Too Young to Learn A Language? first appeared on Professor Toto.