Español en casa.
Leer y cantar para sembrar raíces
We know very well how difficult it is to raise children away from your family and your roots. That’s why we created this course for bilingual or multilingual families that pass on Spanish as a heritage language and raise children between two -or more- cultures.
And since music and literature are a central part of a culture, we have designed a course that combines language, singing, and reading, our passions and areas of expertise.
“I loved it! I learned so much about how to continue passing on my language and culture to my daughter through music and literature. Thank you both so much!”
Who is it aimed at?
- Families with children who are growing up with Spanish as a heritage language.
- Teachers and caregivers interested in the topic.
What topics will you learn about?
Here you can find some of the questions that organise the course.
How does language develop in children growing up between two or more languages?
We will develop theoretical concepts to understand the acquisition of spoken language in bilingual children. We will connect these with practical experiences that respect each child's development, with a special focus on singing and reading children's books.
In what ways does reading strengthen language development and literacy?
We will discuss reading practices in early childhood and their impact on the development of oral and written language.
We will teach you how music and books can help you integrate the language into everyday life in a natural, fun, and affectionate way.
What songs do we sing with them? Is it worth passing on the music of our childhood?
We will share some criteria to recognise and choose quality music for childhood.
What books to choose, among so many options?
The range of books available today is enormous and can be overwhelming. We will give you tips to recognise the valuable books that will stay in memory.
What does it include?
Two virtual meetings
Each meeting lasts 2 hours. We work with small groups so we can listen to each other and share our experiences.
Personalised consultations
During the course, you will be able to raise your concerns and receive our advice.
Digital material
You will take away an exclusive document with criteria for choosing music and books for childhood, along with recommendations for artists, albums, books, and authors.
Meet the teachers
Claudia Demkura
She works as a music teacher in primary schools in Switzerland, founder and director of the Ronda redonda programme (language learning through music and movement), conducts workshops and talks for teachers and families on topics of migration, bilingual upbringing, language and music didactics, is the author of materials and illustrated albums, and researches in the areas of music and language. She is the mother of two multilingual young people.
Carolina Lifschitz
Bachelor's degree in Education Sciences (University of Buenos Aires, Argentina) and teacher. She has completed a Master's in Writing and Literacy at the University of La Plata (Argentina).
She has worked in the design and evaluation of curricular materials, advising teachers, consultancy on teacher training and didactic research. She developed literacy and reading promotion projects for children aged 3 to 13 in marginalised neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires.
Upon migrating to Munich (Germany), she founded El Desván, a project promoting reading and literacy in Spanish aimed at multilingual families who pass on Spanish as a heritage language. She is the mother of two bilingual children.
Frequently Asked Questions
The virtual meetings take place via Zoom, live, and require your active participation.
No, the meetings are not recorded as your presence and participation are essential for the development of the content.
The course is especially designed for families with children going through early childhood (0 to 6 years old).