Bilingualism has long been considered something of an advantage. Children who are taught to learn multiple languages are often better prepared for their lives ahead, not just for the reason that they can converse with people from diverse backgrounds in other countries, but because bilingualism is often an indication of a higher intellect at work. In addition, the ability of being bilingual brings with it some evidence of a greater control over one’s own thought processes and mental skills. The evidence suggests that having a grasp of more than one language with fluency helps strengthen the brain, training it to concentrate more effectively, grasp complex thoughts and concepts, and focus one’s attention more thoroughly.

So it stands to reason that English language learners may be getting a leg up as they pursue their studies at even the elementary school level. As they work to sound out and comprehend the many basic sounds of English, they are also equipping themselves with the skills to be more attentive and sharp, enabling their minds for greater cognitive and deductive capabilities.

Lectura Books offers award-winning bilingual books. Reading is a great way to teach a child to become bilingual. To watch a video trailer of some of their most popular books, visit their Youtube Channel.

Stay updated with the latest information about ELLs and follow our Facebook and Twitter pages. We post new information every day.

The post New Research Links Bilingualism with Better Attention and Self Control appeared first on The Latino Family Literacy Project.

Crawford has written in support of Krashen’s and Cummins’ theories, in that the exposure to a new language doesn’t lie within the repetition, but from the quality of the exposure, or input, that the learner is receiving. He advocates in support of immersion within that language for more successful acquisition.

But he also points out the shortcomings with policies such as No Child Left Behind in that the law doesn’t adequately address all of the challenges that second-language learners face with respect to setting goals for academic excellence that are too difficult to achieve because schools are ill-equipped to help these students reach the prescribed accomplishments. He feels that the mandates in place under the law are too “one size fits all”. While they may prove effective to native language students, they don’t take into account the difficulties second language learners face in not just understanding English, but succeeding with their studies in other topics and subjects. Crawford has argued that second language learners need particular assessments that are more in tune with their needs, but they are woefully under-served in this regard. They need unique instructional programs, alternative teaching models, comprehensive diagnosis and monitoring procedures in place to determine proper proficiency levels in a bid for greater accountability for their academic success. For these children, social and economic development could become greatly stunted and, as a result, they will fall behind in the American experience as adults.

Check out the video trailer for the popular elementary book, Letters Forever.

The post James Crawford’s Theory of Second Language Acquisition appeared first on The Latino Family Literacy Project.

The Latino Family Literacy Project helps parents to establish a family reading routine, and to build strong Spanish and English skills.

An anti-bias preschool curriculum is one that seeks to acknowledge and challenge prejudices in education and works to remove them from the teaching and learning environment. Schools using an anti-bias curriculum are acknowledging that many Western societies, though growingly diverse, continue to function with inherent inequity and racial cultural bias, and that this naturally carries over into education, which is intrinsically a sociocultural institution. Louise Derman-Sparks and Julie Olsen Edwards, authors of Anti-bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves, write that “Inequity of resources in society, and the biases we use to justify that inequity, have an enormous impact on children’s lives. The dynamics of advantage and disadvantage, deeply rooted in our history, continue to shape the degree of access children have to education, medical care, security . . .”

Their work, at the forefront of anti-bias education, seeks to reduce cultural bias and misinformation in classrooms and to help children and the adults who work with them in schools to respect each other and to respect people in general.

Anti-bias education encourages educators to examine their own biases and cultural identities so that they may have strong self-awareness and also be aware of negative messages they may inadvertently be sending to students. This process allows teachers and other staff to model having a positive cultural self-image for students and encourages adults to begin to counteract their own biases in the classroom. Children can notice differences between people early on and will notice how adults treat others, so actively teaching them to respect all people is a powerful and important choice. One of the central ways that teachers put anti-bias curriculum to work in early childhood education settings is by exploring and honoring each person’s identity and fostering acceptance of diversity in the classroom and community.

Ellen Wolpert, long term preschool director and author of Redefining the Norm: Early Childhood Anti-Bias Strategies, shares this description of the anti-bias curriculum at work with young children:

“Children make comparisons among themselves, looking at the ways they are both similar and different. They learn that different is OK. This creates the foundation for respecting and valuing differences beyond their own families and communities.”

Children who share stereotypes and biases can be engaged in conversation about the bias and presented with visual and narrative examples that contradict the bias. The site, Teaching for Change, which focuses on social justice in education, shares a wealth of anti-bias articles with activity recommendations and professional development activities covering identity development, anti-bias curriculum, language development, and family resources.

The focus in an anti-bias program is on encouraging everyone in the educational community, young and old, to learn about and explore cultural identities and to get to know one another and the world around them with an open mind. Dr. Francis Aboud, who studied prejudice amongst youth, found that “after age 9, racial attitudes tend to stay constant unless the child experiences a life-changing event.” This trend underscores the importance of the implementation of preschool anti-bias curriculum and the promotion of tolerance.

Lectura Books is one of the leading publishers of multicultural and bilingual books, focusing on publishing for Parent Involvement with Latino parents and kids.

The post How an Anti-bias Curriculum Benefits the School Community appeared first on The Latino Family Literacy Project.

Some of the basic ways to develop infant literacy growth are to listen to, play with, talk to, and read to infants. A 2007 Harvard Family Research Study showed that “the extent of English and/or Spanish use in the home did not relate to child development; rather, the amount of talking and book reading by parents mattered—regardless of the language spoken.” This is good news for Hispanic parents; infants begin to develop an understanding of sounds, verbal communication, and language as a tool regardless of the language you are using. Reading bilingual books to young children is an ideal way to help them hear both of the languages that will be important to them in their lives and can help Spanish speaking parents build language skills as well. Cardboard or cloth books with big pictures are great for infants. The US Department of Education recommends that you “read to your baby for short periods several times a day.” Even at a few months of age, babies can begin to develop an awareness of and an appreciation for books and reading time.

If you are a Hispanic parent who wants to foster infant literacy, you can also talk with your baby frequently in either Spanish or English or both, if possible. Watch for patterns in your baby’s sounds and movements; how does she or he communicate their various needs to you? By learning about and responding to these signals, you are teaching them that communication is real, possible, and powerful. Listen to the babbling and cooing noises that come naturally from your infant and repeat them back to them. This lays the groundwork for conversation. The non-profit Zero to Three describes a baby’s early experience with communication as follows, “When you understand my signals, I feel loved and special.” For a baby, learning to make sounds and realizing that sounds are useful are very important, and Hispanic parents can support this understanding in Spanish and/or English. Even a simple game of “peek-a-boo” requires a call and response type of communication and enforces early literacy development in infants. Hispanic parents can celebrate, support, and enjoy their infant’s early efforts at communication.

Lectura Books has exceptional bilingual children’s books for Infant & Toddler and Preschool that will encourage Spanish and English speaking parents to read to their young children. The bold illustrations will foster important dialogue and back-and-forth verbal exchange.

The post Early Literacy Development with Infants and Hispanic Parents appeared first on The Latino Family Literacy Project.

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2019 Purple Dragonfly Book Award

Tom Max in the Wild West | Tom Max en el viejo oeste
Cultural Diversity AND Best Children’s Book 6+ – Honorable Mention

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2019 Pinnacle Award

Tom Max in the Wild West | Tom Max en el viejo oeste
Best Bilingual Children’s Book

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2019 Independent Publishers Book Awards

Tom Max in the Wild West – Bronze Medal
Best Multicultural Non-Fiction Book – Children’s

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2017 Moonbeam Bronze Award

My Super Cool Friends
Reading and Literacy Skills

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2017 New Mexico / Arizona Book Awards

Where Love Begins
Finalist – Children’s Picture Book Bilingual, Finalist – Biography for New Mexico Subject

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2017 Purple Dragonfly Book Award

The Art of Memory / El arte de recorder
Cultural Diversity – Honorable Mention

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2017 International Latino Book Awards

The Art of Memory / El arte de recorder
Best Latino Influenced Children’s Picture Book

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2017 Skipping Stones Honor Book

The Art of Memory

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2017 Purple Dragonfly Book Award

Where Love Begins / Donde comienza el amor
Poetry – 2nd Place

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2017 International Latino Book Awards

Where Love Begins / Donde comienza el amor
Honorable Mention – Best Educational Children’s Picture Book

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2017 Purple Dragonfly Book Award

My Super Cool Friends
Picture Books 5 & Younger – Honorable Mention

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USA Book Awards – Finalist

The Art of Memory

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2017 Pinnacle Award

My Super Cool Friends / Mis amigos super fabulosos
Best Children’s Book

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2017 Honor Book for Paterson Prize for Book Young People – The Poetry Center

Where Love Begins
Poetry Honor Book – Children’s Bilingual

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2017 Pinnacle Award

The Art of Memory / El arte de recordar
Best Children’s Art Book

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2016 NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award

Baby Talk Bilingual Board Books
Best Book – Children’s Bilingual

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2015 International Latino Book Awards – Honorable Mention

Boy Zorro and The Bully
Best Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book – English

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2014 – Indie Fab Book Awards – Finalist – Indie Fab Book Awards

Boy Zorro and The Bully
2014 Best Children’s Book
Children’s Picture Book / Early Reader, Elementary

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2014-2015 Tejas Star Reading List

The Many Faces of Max – 2014-2015 Reading List
Children’s Picture Book / Preschool Level

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2014-2015 Tejas Star Reading List

Letters Forever Bilingual Book – 2014-2015 Reading List
Children’s Picture Book / Elementary Level

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2014 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award

Boy Zorro and The Bully – Gold Medal
Children’s Picture Book / Spanish Language

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2014 – USA Book Awards

The Oldest House in the USA – 2014 – USA Book Award – Finalist
Children’s Picture Book, Non-Fiction Category / Elementary

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2013 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award

I See the World – Gold Medal
Reading Skills/ Literacy

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2013 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award

Letters Forever – Bronze Medal
Spanish Language

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2012 International Latino Book Awards

The Oldest House in the USA
Best Educational Children’s Book- Bilingual

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2012 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award

I See the World – Silver Medal
Reading Skills/ Literacy

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22010 Moonbeam Awards

Teo Goes to the Circus – Silver Medal
Best Spanish Language Book

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2010 International Latino Book Awards

Fun with ABC’s – Loteria Style
Best Educational Book

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2010 Pinnacle Award

The Shark That Taught Me English/
El tiburón que me enseñó inglés – Best Children’s Book

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2009 Moonbeam Awards

Colors All Around – Gold Medal
Best Preschool Book

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2009 Moonbeam Awards
Fun with ABC’s – Loteria Style – Gold Medal
Best Alphabet/Counting Book

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Flores Family Café – Bronze Medal
Best Spanish Language Book

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2008 International Latino Book Awards

Vines of the Earth – Honorable Mention
Best Children’s Picture Book – Bilingual

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2008 Moonbeam Awards

The Shark That Taught Me English/
El tiburón que me enseñó inglés – Gold Medal

Carlito’s Story / La historia de Carlito – Bronze Medal

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2008 Independent Publishers Book Awards

Graciela’s Dream/El Sueno de Graciela – Bronze Medal
Best Multicultural Fiction Book – Chidlren’s

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2007 International Latino Book Awards

Graciela’s Dream/El Sueno de Graciela – Second Place
Best Young Adult Fiction – Bilingual

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2007 International Latino Book Awards

Teo and the Brick/Teo Y El Ladrillo – Honorable Mention
Best Educational Children’s Book – Bilingual

The post Award-Winning Bilingual Books & Parent Programs with English Learners appeared first on The Latino Family Literacy Project.