Welcome to the TK Resource Page!

Dear Families,

Welcome to our Transitional Kindergarten (TK) resource page! As a dual immersion school, we believe that bilingualism is a gift that provides lifelong benefits for our students. Early learning at home plays a crucial role in developing language skills, building confidence, and fostering a love for learning.

This page is designed to provide you with helpful tips and strategies to support your child’s growth in both languages. Whether you are reinforcing language skills, building early math foundations, or encouraging social-emotional development, your involvement makes a significant impact.

Supporting Language Development

• Read daily in both languages, even if your child doesn’t understand everything.
• Sing songs, play word games, and label household items in both languages.
• Encourage storytelling by having your child describe their day or retell a favorite story.
• Model natural language switching while maintaining consistency.

Building Early Math Skills

• Count objects during daily activities—snacks, toys, or steps.
• Look for patterns in nature, clothing, or home items.
• Use cooking to introduce measuring and sequencing.
• Play sorting and counting games with household objects.

*These can be done in English and Spanish

Developing Fine & Gross Motor Skills

• Encourage drawing, coloring, and cutting to strengthen hands.
• Use playdough, threading beads, and blocks for fine motor skills.
• Practice buttoning, zipping, and using utensils independently.
• Promote movement through jumping, climbing, and balancing games.

Encouraging Social-Emotional Growth

• Set daily routines to build independence.
• Help your child name and express emotions.
• Teach simple breathing exercises for self-regulation.
• Practice sharing, turn-taking, and polite conversation.

*These can be done in English and Spanish

Preparing for School Success

• Encourage a growth mindset by praising effort and perseverance rather than just correct answers.
• Make learning part of everyday activities. Ask your child to help write a grocery list or count items at the store.
• Foster responsibility by giving small, age-appropriate tasks that promote independence and confidence.

Working Together

We are here to support you on this journey! By creating a home environment that values learning and bilingualism, you are giving your child a strong foundation for success. If you have any questions or need additional resources, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your teachers for support.

Thank you for being a partner in your child’s education. Together, we can help our students grow into confident, bilingual learners!

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Family Learning Activities

Here are some fun and educational activity ideas for families of students in a dual immersion Spanish program:

1. Bilingual Storytime

• Families can visit local libraries or online platforms for bilingual storytime sessions. Alternatively, they can have a family reading night with books in both Spanish and English.
• Book Suggestions: "La Oruga Muy Hambrienta" (The Very Hungry Caterpillar) or "Donde Viven los Monstruos" (Where the Wild Things Are).

2. Cooking Together

• Cooking traditional dishes from Spanish-speaking countries can be a fun way to learn food vocabulary and cultural traditions.
• Activity Tip: Follow recipes written in Spanish, like making tacos al pastor, empanadas, or churros.

3. Language Exchange Game Night

• Families can play bilingual board games like Lotería (Mexican Bingo) or language-focused games like Scrabble using Spanish words.

4. Music and Dance Sessions

• Listen to Spanish music genres like salsa, reggaeton, or mariachi.
• Activity Idea: Learn a simple dance routine or sing along to popular Spanish songs with lyrics displayed for reading practice.

5. Cultural Movie Night

• Watch movies or cartoons in Spanish with English subtitles (or vice versa).
• Movie Suggestions: Coco, Encanto, or El Libro de la Vida (The Book of Life).

6. Travel the World from Home

• Using the globe theme from your school’s logo, families can “travel” to different Spanish-speaking countries by learning facts, trying out foods, or exploring virtual tours of famous landmarks.

7. Art and Craft Activities

• Create crafts inspired by Hispanic traditions, such as papel picado (decorative paper cuttings) or making piñatas.
• Pair this with learning colors, shapes, and cultural significance in Spanish.

8. Community Events and Field Trips

• Encourage families to visit cultural festivals, Spanish-speaking markets, or museums featuring Hispanic art and history.

9. Family Language Challenges

• Set daily or weekly challenges, such as using 10 new Spanish words each day or having short conversations only in Spanish during dinner.

10. Digital Language Games and Apps

• Suggest educational apps like Duolingo, Gus on the Go, or Endless Spanish for interactive learning.