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… especially in our bilingual journey.

We’ll explore the unique ways they shape language, culture, and connection — and why their presence, even from far away, can make a big difference.
You may think bilingual parenting is all about you… but what if grandparents are actually a  missing link?

Whether you’re a parent, a grandparent, or somewhere in between, this episode is an invitation to reflect, reconnect, and celebrate the imperfect, meaningful moments that create lasting bilingual bonds.

Inside This Episode:

• A personal story of how my dad helped me learn English in Colombia
• How he later became a language mentor and joy-bringer for my children
• Why time with grandparents doesn’t have to be long to be meaningful
• How their presence supports language, culture, and emotional growth
• What to do if grandparents live far away — or are no longer here
• Overcoming resistance from family members who don’t yet understand your “why”
• How to gently include grandparents in your bilingual journey
• 3 reflection questions to help you reconnect and reimagine the role of elders
• A powerful reminder: “What doesn’t get scheduled, doesn’t happen.”
• A simple idea to try this week: record a grandparent reading a story
• A special teaser for next week’s episode: my dad reading We Are All Connected

Reflection Questions:

1. How have the grandparents in your life influenced your child — emotionally, culturally, or linguistically?
2. What stories, songs, or traditions could your child learn from a grandparent that no book or app could ever teach?
3. When was the last time you intentionally created space for your child and their grandparent to connect — even for a few minutes?

Coming Next:
A bilingual book reading, “We Are All Connected / Todos Estamos Conectados”, read by my dad.
This simple recording became a beautiful shared memory — and I can’t wait to share it with you.

An Invitation:  If you’re a parent or an adult beginning your Spanish learning journey…  I’ll soon be opening the doors to Transforma, my signature program for adults learning Spanish with clarity, heart, and support.

✨ I’m inviting just 10 founding members for this special first round.
It’s designed for real beginners — no pressure, no perfection — just a path that actually works.

Details will follow in the coming weeks, but if you’d like to be on the priority list,
send me an email at [email protected].

 Stick around in the next episodes a few bloopers from our recording session because life’s happiest moments are often found in the imperfect ones.

When things don’t go as planned...
 When we mispronounce a word...
 When we laugh at the same line over and over again...

That’s where the real joy is.
Perfectly imperfect — just like family.

Thank you for being here.
 ¡Hasta la próxima! I can’t wait until we meet again. 💛

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:

1. First in a bilingual version (English narration with Spanish vocabulary sprinkled in).
2. Then again, completely in Spanish to enjoy the rhythm and flow of the language.

Whether you're listening at home or in the classroom, this episode is designed to make Spanish fun, natural, and memorable for your little learners.

What We’re Learning:

• Days of the week: lunes, martes, miércoles, jueves, viernes, sábado, domingo
• Review of: colors, greetings, numbers 1–8, and emotional expressions
• Real conversation phrases: ¡Buenos días!, ¿Cómo estás?, Buenas noches, Gracias, ¡Emocionado!, Cansada, and more!

Free Printable Activity Pack

Download the matching printable pack to practice what you’ve learned:
 👉 www.jencova.com/free-resources

This pack is perfect for reinforcing vocabulary, building sentences, and connecting the story to real language practice — whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver.

Previous Luna Stories:

Missed earlier episodes? Don’t worry! You can always go back and enjoy stories that teach:

• Colors (rojo, azul, amarillo…)
• Greetings (¡Hola!, ¿Cómo estás?)
• Numbers (uno, dos, tres…)

Each comes with its own printable activity set — all available at the same link above.

Let’s Stay Connected:

If you’re enjoying the stories, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who wants to introduce Spanish at home.

Until next time…

 ¡Gracias por escuchar!
 Buenas noches, Luna. Descansa. 💫

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.

In this special episode, I had two amazing guest voices who helped bring the story to life. A big thank you to Darciah Costa and Cristian Varela for sharing their voices, accents, and heart in this reading. I’m so grateful to have you as part of this journey. ¡Mil gracias!

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another family on their bilingual journey. Every listen helps us grow this beautiful community. ¡Gracias por estar aquí!

https://a.co/d/bv6ABse (Amazon link) -  Note: This is not a sponsored episode. I don’t receive any commission for recommending this book. I just genuinely love it and think it’s a beautiful resource for bilingual families. 

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 traditions: El Ratoncito Pérez from Spanish-speaking cultures and the Tooth Fairy from English-speaking ones. The story follows the adventures of these two magical characters as they team up to collect a lost tooth, showcasing the values of teamwork, friendship, and cultural exchange. 

In this special episode, I had the best accomplices—my children—who jumped in and brought the story to life by doing all the voices. A warm gracias, thank you to them for being the best companions. ¡Los amo infinitamente!

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:

• Catch-Up: Why I paused the podcast and what’s coming next, including the launch of a new program and podcast for adults called Transforma.
• The Excluded Partner: The first major challenge discussed is when a partner who doesn’t speak Spanish feels left out during family conversations conducted in Spanish.
• OPOL Strategy: How the One Parent, One Language method can help balance language use and make your partner feel more included.
• Cultural Inclusion: Tips on involving your partner in cultural activities and traditions that might otherwise feel foreign to them.
• Joint Parenting in Bilingual Development: Encouraging your partner to be part of language goals and discussions, ensuring they’re an active participant in your child’s bilingual development.
• Building Confidence: Strategies for helping your partner gain confidence in engaging with your children in Spanish, including learning the language together and creating a supportive, judgment-free environment.
• Social Settings: Navigating social events where Spanish is the dominant language and how to make your partner feel more comfortable and included.

Resources Mentioned:

• Book Recommendation: El Ratoncito Pérez y the Tooth Fairy by Jane Cadwallader and Gustavo Mazali – A bilingual book that’s perfect for sharing with your children and teaching them about both Spanish and English traditions.

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

• Upcoming Episodes: Stay tuned for a special episode where I’ll read El Ratoncito Pérez y the Tooth Fairy, complete with different voices for each character!

Communication is key in any relationship, especially when raising bilingual children. By addressing these challenges openly and finding strategies that work for your family, you can ensure that both parents feel valued and involved in this beautiful journey.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! Your feedback helps shape future episodes, and I’m always listening to your suggestions.

¡Hasta la próxima, familias! Keep planting those seeds and fostering bilingual magic in your home.

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 son's language skills and a heartwarming moment when he was able to help a family having a difficult time communicating. We discuss the benefits of bilingualism, the importance of encouraging reading and writing in both languages, and how to stay positive and determined!

Key Takeaways:

• Let your children explore both languages through books, music, and shows.
• Be proud of your child's bilingual journey, no matter how small the steps.
• Stay consistent in using both languages at home, even on tough days.

Resources:

Guest Lucia Garrett - Mother of a 4 year-old and 18 month-old

• Pato Pato® - upcoming educational toys in Spanish https://www.playpatopato.com or [email protected] 

Spanish for Children and Families Social Media and Website: 

• Website https://www.jencova.com/ 
• @spanishforchildrenandfamilies (IG) https://www.instagram.com/spanishforchildrenandfamilies/ 
• Facebook Community - Mundo Fantastico Spanish for children https://www.facebook.com/groups/spanishandchildren 
•  Contact With Jenny [email protected] 

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: Enhancing Your Spanish Teaching Strategy

• Planning Ahead: Discover the balance between structured planning and the flexibility to adapt to your child's learning pace. Structured planning might include setting up a language learning calendar or themed weeks that make learning engaging and fun. Meanwhile, flexibility allows you to adjust based on your child's interests and the natural flow of life, making every learning opportunity count.
• Incorporating Your Child’s Interests: Understanding and integrating your child’s interests into Spanish learning can significantly boost their engagement and retention. Whether through art, nature, cooking, or storytelling, connecting lessons with their passions makes learning more meaningful.

Structured vs. Flexible Planning:

• Get creative with Language Learning Calendars, Themed Weeks, Weekly Language Challenges, and Scheduled Conversation Hours to provide a solid framework for learning.
• Learn to adapt with Adaptable Story Time and Interactive Learning Games, ensuring that lessons remain compelling and relevant to your child's evolving interests.

Deep Dive into Interests:

• Strategies to discover and incorporate your child's passions into learning, from observation to trial and error, ensure Spanish becomes a vibrant part of their world.
• Specific examples include introducing young artists to Spanish-speaking painters, taking nature lovers on bilingual outdoor adventures, cooking Spanish meals with little chefs, and exploring Spanish literature and sports to weave language into favorite activities.

Examples to Engage Every Learner:

• Art projects inspired by Spanish-speaking artists.
• Nature walks with Spanish vocabulary for the outdoors.
• Cooking sessions featuring recipes from Spanish-speaking countries.
• Storytime with bilingual books or Spanish literature tailored to age levels.
• Following Spanish-speaking sports teams or learning sports terms in Spanish for the active child.

Key Takeaways for a Rich Learning Experience:

1. A combination of structured planning and adaptability lays a solid foundation for language acquisition.
2. Aligning lessons with your child’s interests transforms learning Spanish from a task to an adventure.
3. Embrace flexibility to keep lessons fresh and exciting, adapting to your child’s changing passions.
4. Foster an environment where learning Spanish is part of daily life, making it a natural and fun experience.
5. Document and celebrate your journey together, creating lasting memories while building bilingual skills.

Closing Thoughts:
As we wrap up today’s episode, remember that teaching Spanish at home is about more than just language; it’s about connecting with your child and embracing a world of new cultural experiences together. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll tackle navigating negative influences in language learning. Your journey to bilingualism is a profound gift to your child, filled with moments of joy, discovery, and connection.

Thank you for joining us on "Spanish for Children and Families." Until next time, keep embracing the beauty of Spanish in your family’s life. ¡Hasta luego!

www.jencova.com

¡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 fun activity for you to practice at home with family and friends. Plus, we've got a couple of worksheets available for download in PDF format to extend your learning. Ready to count with me?

Counting in Spanish: 1 to 10
Join us as we count in Spanish, starting with uno (1) and going up to diez (10). We'll say the number in English first, then in Spanish, pausing for you to repeat after us. Don't worry if you need extra practice; you can revisit this segment anytime.

Story Time: El Cumpleaños de Luna La Mariposa
It's Luna's birthday, and she's turning 10! To celebrate, we're sharing a special story about Luna and her friends practicing numbers in Spanish during a birthday scavenger hunt. Learn new words like "colibrí" (hummingbird), "tortuga" (turtle), "fiesta" (party), and "cumpleaños" (birthday) as you join Luna's celebration. The story is available in both bilingual and Spanish-only formats to help develop your listening and comprehension skills.

Activity: Your Own Scavenger Hunt
Inspired by Luna's story, we encourage you to conduct your own scavenger hunt at home. This engaging activity will help you practice the numbers and vocabulary learned today. Whether you're preparing for a fictional friend's birthday party or just having fun, this scavenger hunt is a fantastic way to apply what you've learned.

Free Resources
Don't forget to visit our website at www.jencova.com to download the free resource accompanying this episode. You'll find the story in both its bilingual and Spanish versions, a coloring sheet, and matching worksheets to practice the scavenger hunt vocabulary.

We hope today's episode has been both educational and entertaining, making your journey into Spanish more enjoyable. Remember, learning a new language is a journey filled with small victories, and every number you learn opens up new possibilities for communication and fun.

Thank you for tuning in to "Spanish for Children and Families." Espero que tengas un buen día, and we look forward to joining me for more language adventures. ¡Hasta luego!

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 appreciate your invaluable suggestions, questions, and feedback, which you can continue to send to [email protected].

Today, we pivot from our planned lesson on numbers 1 to 10, which I will cover soon, to address a heartfelt message from a listener who is navigating the challenges of teaching Spanish to her 6-year-old at home, dedicating this episode to anyone facing similar hurdles. We delve into acknowledging difficulties, addressing feelings of shame and frustration, and the importance of being ready to adapt our teaching strategies. We also discuss setting realistic expectations by understanding each child's unique growth path and the significance of celebrating every small victory along the way. Additionally, we offer strategies for managing emotions, including normalizing mistakes, setting achievable goals, and practicing self-compassion. Looking ahead, we preview Part Two, where we will explore planning ahead, tuning into your child's interests, and dealing with negative influences, continuing our journey into the realities of teaching Spanish at home.

Key Takeaways:

Teaching and learning Spanish at home is a journey with its ups and downs. It's crucial to acknowledge the challenges and learn from them.

• Each child's learning process is unique. Understanding and adapting to their pace and interests can make a significant difference.
• Celebrating small wins and setting realistic expectations are foundational to a positive learning experience.
• Strategies like normalizing mistakes and practicing self-compassion are essential for both parents and children.

Resources Mentioned:

• Luna la Mariposa Story and Free PDF: https://www.jencova.com/free-resources
• Connect with Us: Send your feedback and questions to [email protected] or join our Mundo Fantastico - Spanish for Children, Facebook group.

Next Episode Preview:
Don't miss Part Two of "The Realities of Teaching Spanish at Home," where we'll look deeper into planning, engaging your child's interests, and navigating through negative influences.

Thank you for listening to Spanish for Children and Families. Remember, it's okay to take breaks and breathe, but don't give up on this rewarding journey. ¡Hasta la próxima!

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:

• The Basics of Greeting in Spanish: Learn how to warmly welcome others with "Hola" and inquire about their well-being with "¿Cómo estás?", along with proper responses to reflect how you're feeling. Practice to perfect your pronunciation.
• A Spectrum of Colors: Discover the basics of colors in Spanish, including rojo (red), azul (blue), amarillo (yellow), verde (green), and morado (purple). These aren't just vocabulary words; they're your first steps toward describing the world around you in Spanish.
• Storytime with Luna la Mariposa: Enjoy the bilingual and Spanish-only versions of Luna la Mariposa. This story not only introduces the colors rojo, azul, amarillo, verde, and morado but also incorporates the word "mariposa" (butterfly), enriching your Spanish vocabulary and comprehension skills.
• Printable Resources: To complement the exploration of greetings and colors, I prepared a special coloring sheet featuring Luna la Mariposa. This fun activity is designed to go with the story we shared and help reinforce the Spanish vocabulary creatively and engagingly. Visit my website at www.jencova.com and click on the free resources tab. You will find materials tailored to today's lesson, perfect for reinforcing the concepts and supporting your and your child's language learning at home.
• Engagement Challenge: Inspired by Luna's discovery of the beauty in rojo, azul, amarillo, verde, y morado, we challenge you to recognize these colors in your daily life. Whenever you see something that matches the colors you learned today, say it out loud! This practice will help solidify your new vocabulary in a fun and interactive way.

¡Espero que tengas un buen día! I hope you have a great day! Hasta la próxima! See you soon!