We had the opportunity to review a physical product of the Spanish Program, with the Starter Set 1 from Foreign Languages for Kids by Kids.
There are not too many subjects I am able to collectively complete with my children with grades as wide as third to seventh. Of them, you would think a foreign language would be one, but if you homeschool you know that is not always the case. In the past, I have found curriculum that is either too elementary for my older children or too advanced for my younger child.
Enter Foreign Languages for Kids by Kids, which was created by Kit Strauss – a mom, lawyer and now entrepreneur – who created the foreign language program to answer her need. Strauss sought a program that would help her teach her children a foreign language. Unable to find what she was looking for, Strauss created her own curriculum. I love it when parents solve their own dilemmas and create a business.
Foreign Languages for Kids by Kids is a foreign language program that is true to its title. Strauss used her own children as a guide and created a program that is not only appealing to children, but to adults as well. The program has already won numerous awards for its videos and board game.
The opportunity to review Foreign Languages for Kids by Kids Starter Set 1 was already attractive. My third grader has expressed an interest in learning a foreign language. I was not sure since he is still learning reading skills. According to Strauss, children benefit and learn well when starting with a foreign language at an early age.
The Starter Set 1 comes with the following:
• The complete, 20-week curriculum guide with fun games and activities to expand on the lessons and walk your child (and you) through the program.
•One DVD with the first three videos: Basketballs Aren’t for Breakfast, The Little Magic House Part I and The Little Magic House Part II.
•Three companion workbooks for all of the videos.
• A fun sticker set for Basketballs Aren’t for Breakfast.
•Flashcard set, including graphics and Spanish vocabulary for each word learned in our first three videos.
For a limited time, while supplies last, the Go Squish Cardgame! will be included with your order. The Go Squish Cardgame! is a card game extension that is a lot of fun to use.
The teaching approach of Foreign Languages for Kids by Kids Starter Set 1 is immersion. Strauss also uses a simple key to teaching children – other children. The program is geared towards children in third grade or older, but younger children may also learn from the program. If you have a middle or high school level child, they may also enjoy working through Foreign Languages for Kids by Kids. The immersion approach is one that is effective for people of all ages. You either sink or swim. You either speak Spanish or you won’t be able to communicate.
Before we started working through the material, I read the Teacher Guides, which introduces the program and explains how to work through the material. Strauss also includes lesson plans, which I love and think are very helpful. Of course, you may work through the material at your child’s own pace.
While working through the material and watching the videos, your child will meet three brothers and their dogs. Viewers learn through a day in their life that begins at 8 a.m. and finishes in the evening at 8 p.m. If you think about the number of things a child can do in one day, then you will cover many different words that take you beyond “gracias.” That definitely happens with three children in the storylines. The dogs also contribute well in the teaching.
Since Canyon has never studied a foreign language, but is familiar with a few Spanish words we started at the beginning. There are three volumes in the program:
Volume 1 – Basketballs Aren’t for Breakfast
Volume 2 – The Little Magic House Part 1
Volume 3 – The Little Magic House Part 2
Although each volume builds on the other in regards to comprehension, you may start your child on a higher volume if they have previously studied Spanish and you think they are capable of understanding. Starting with Volume 1 was perfect for Canyon.
Canyon watched the video a few times before completing the workbook assignment. The video segments are brief and the workbook exercises compliment what is presented in the videos. The video lessons and workbook exercises are engaging. Strauss has successfully created material children will enjoy. The videos instruct with humor and conversation that children are familiar with hearing. The only difference is the student is immersed in the Spanish language; there is no English spoken, and, that is okay. After grasping some new Spanish words, we practiced with the flashcards. He actually picked up on the language well. I was hesitant to allowing him to label items with the stickers, but they remove easily. Plus, being able to place stickers all over our house was one of the features he enjoyed about the curriculum. I even learned a little bit of Spanish myself, which helped when we played the Go Squish Cardgame!
One of the things I really like about Foreign Languages for Kids by Kids Starter Set 1 is the interactive experience (watching other children use Spanish in their everyday). Learning Spanish is not foreign, but rather familiar as Canyon is able to learn what the words mean and see them in action as used by the children in the videos. I agree with Straus that “Kids like watching other kids.” Seeing other children in the videos speaking the language and going through their day, just as Canyon does, helped everything make sense.
We will continue using Foreign Languages for Kids by Kids Starter Set 1 into Canyon’s fourth grade year. The program has proved to be a great introduction to the Spanish language as well as learning a foreign language.
The Spanish Program, with the Starter Set 1 is currently available for $140.25.
You may read more reviews of this item by fellow crew members.
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