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724: What’s Actually Happening Before Your Child Speaks Spanish
Ever wondered if your efforts to raise a bilingual child are actually working? Especially when your toddler understands Spanish but only responds in English? In this episode, Janny shares the truth behind this quiet stage, the invisible learning that happens before speech, and what parents can do to support their child without adding pressure or stress.
You’ll also hear real-life examples from Janny’s own journey raising her daughter in a mostly English environment and the powerful “Senor, puedo pasar?” moment that revealed just how much her child was absorbing.
Show Promos You Don't Want to Miss:
DOWNLOAD THE BILINGUAL BABY QUICKSTART GUIDE
SAVE YOUR SPOT FOR THE LIVE WORKSHOP MAY 14th!
Timestamps & What You’ll Discover
01:48 – Why Doubting Yourself is Normal
Janny shares how parenting confidence gets shaken when your child understands but doesn’t respond in Spanish and reassurance for moms feeling unsure.04:38 – The “Senor, puedo pasar?” Moment
How a construction worker encounter in New Jersey unlocked proof of bilingual progress, and what this means for everyday learning.06:20 – Inside the Silent Learning Stage
Before speech, your child is making connections, absorbing vocabulary, and building understanding, why this matters more than you think.07:23 – It Applies to All Languages
Why Janny's daughter’s Bulgarian learning proves that understanding always comes before speaking, no matter which language.08:28 – Avoiding Pressure & The “Repeat After Me” Trap
How well-intentioned efforts (“Dímelo en español,” translating, asking for repetition) can interrupt learning and what to do instead.
- 10:02 – Low-Pressure Opportunities & Consistency
Simple strategies for everyday Spanish: repeatable phrases, modeling, and letting your child observe and absorb at their own pace. - 12:15 – What Really Matters in the Toddler Stage
Why you’re not behind, your child is simply in a crucial but invisible phase. How to support, not stress.
About Janny Perez
Janny Perez is a bilingual parenting educator and the voice behind the The Latina Mom Legacy podcast.
Through her work, she helps first-generation Latina and multicultural moms raise Spanish-speaking children with confidence—even in English-dominant environments.
As a multilingual mom herself, Janny understands that raising a bilingual child takes more than reading a few books or singing songs in Spanish. It requires intention, consistency, and the right strategies.
She shares practical guidance rooted in real-life experience, helping families move past self-doubt and build a strong language foundation at home—while staying deeply connected to their culture.
Follow @milegasi on social media for bilingual parenting tips, resources, and support.
Resources Mentioned in the Podcast:
Bilingual Baby Quick Start Guide
Walk-through for introducing Spanish from day one. Find it in the show notes.
Upcoming Live Workshop – May 14
Go deeper into supporting your child in the silent stage. Details in show notes.
More free printables & bilingual parenting tools at milegasi.com
How You Can Support & Engage
- Apply to Be a Guest on The Latina Mom Legacy – Share your bilingual parenting story!
- Leave a Review – Apple Podcast or Spotify. Your feedback helps more families discover the show.
- Join the Newsletter – La Lista at Milegasi.com. Get exclusive tips, printables, and updates!
- Interested in Sponsoring the Show? Contact us → Sponsorship info
Connect on Social Media
Instagram: @milegasi
Threads: @milegasi
Podcast Instagram: @thelatinamomlegacy
Pinterest: @milegasi
You don’t have to pressure yourself or your child to see progress. Trust the stage before speech, celebrate silent wins, and remember—consistency creates confidence.
Tú puedes, mamá.
If you’d like to learn more, visit milegasi.thinkific.com.
Final Thoughts
View all episodes
By Janny Perez
4.7
2626 ratings
Ever wondered if your efforts to raise a bilingual child are actually working? Especially when your toddler understands Spanish but only responds in English? In this episode, Janny shares the truth behind this quiet stage, the invisible learning that happens before speech, and what parents can do to support their child without adding pressure or stress.
You’ll also hear real-life examples from Janny’s own journey raising her daughter in a mostly English environment and the powerful “Senor, puedo pasar?” moment that revealed just how much her child was absorbing.
Show Promos You Don't Want to Miss:
DOWNLOAD THE BILINGUAL BABY QUICKSTART GUIDE
SAVE YOUR SPOT FOR THE LIVE WORKSHOP MAY 14th!
Timestamps & What You’ll Discover
01:48 – Why Doubting Yourself is Normal
Janny shares how parenting confidence gets shaken when your child understands but doesn’t respond in Spanish and reassurance for moms feeling unsure.04:38 – The “Senor, puedo pasar?” Moment
How a construction worker encounter in New Jersey unlocked proof of bilingual progress, and what this means for everyday learning.06:20 – Inside the Silent Learning Stage
Before speech, your child is making connections, absorbing vocabulary, and building understanding, why this matters more than you think.07:23 – It Applies to All Languages
Why Janny's daughter’s Bulgarian learning proves that understanding always comes before speaking, no matter which language.08:28 – Avoiding Pressure & The “Repeat After Me” Trap
How well-intentioned efforts (“Dímelo en español,” translating, asking for repetition) can interrupt learning and what to do instead.
- 10:02 – Low-Pressure Opportunities & Consistency
Simple strategies for everyday Spanish: repeatable phrases, modeling, and letting your child observe and absorb at their own pace. - 12:15 – What Really Matters in the Toddler Stage
Why you’re not behind, your child is simply in a crucial but invisible phase. How to support, not stress.
About Janny Perez
Janny Perez is a bilingual parenting educator and the voice behind the The Latina Mom Legacy podcast.
Through her work, she helps first-generation Latina and multicultural moms raise Spanish-speaking children with confidence—even in English-dominant environments.
As a multilingual mom herself, Janny understands that raising a bilingual child takes more than reading a few books or singing songs in Spanish. It requires intention, consistency, and the right strategies.
She shares practical guidance rooted in real-life experience, helping families move past self-doubt and build a strong language foundation at home—while staying deeply connected to their culture.
Follow @milegasi on social media for bilingual parenting tips, resources, and support.
Resources Mentioned in the Podcast:
Bilingual Baby Quick Start Guide
Walk-through for introducing Spanish from day one. Find it in the show notes.
Upcoming Live Workshop – May 14
Go deeper into supporting your child in the silent stage. Details in show notes.
More free printables & bilingual parenting tools at milegasi.com
How You Can Support & Engage
- Apply to Be a Guest on The Latina Mom Legacy – Share your bilingual parenting story!
- Leave a Review – Apple Podcast or Spotify. Your feedback helps more families discover the show.
- Join the Newsletter – La Lista at Milegasi.com. Get exclusive tips, printables, and updates!
- Interested in Sponsoring the Show? Contact us → Sponsorship info
Connect on Social Media
Instagram: @milegasi
Threads: @milegasi
Podcast Instagram: @thelatinamomlegacy
Pinterest: @milegasi
You don’t have to pressure yourself or your child to see progress. Trust the stage before speech, celebrate silent wins, and remember—consistency creates confidence.
Tú puedes, mamá.
If you’d like to learn more, visit milegasi.thinkific.com.
Final Thoughts