Spanish Preschool or Regular Preschool?

#2
Preschool should not be about academics, in my opinion.

My thoughts are that your kids can pick up Spanish during elementary and high school, but there's not much time left for them to just play. I'd go with the play. Many elementary schools now offer Spanish.

What about entering your child into Spanish immersion school, once he/she enters elementary?

How old is your child?

You can teach your child your language. At home and being with you everyday.
My kids are bilingual... since birth my Husband just spoke to them in his language.
They know more than me.
My kids are now 6 and 10 years old.
They can speak it, understand when spoken too, and read, in my Husband's language.

Preschool, to me, would be for my kids to learn socialization, how to interact in a group with other kids, how to learn manners and how to listen... to a Teacher, and to learn behavior etc. and play.

If it were me, I'd go with the second choice, play-based learning. If they were doing Spanish and play-based/child led, I'd be soooo there, but considering the options, much of the child-development materials and research I have read (and I've read a ton) leans toward play-based learning for preschoolers.

From my experience, getting academic with most preschoolers kind of makes their eyes glaze over. It's not 'fun'. If you are leaning toward learning, I'd choose a Montessori program instead.

(Opinion from a retired preschool teacher/nanny. :) )

I live in Texas so I would go with immersion. Most of the immersion programs stress imaginative play, as well as structured play - sports, cooking, art - in Spanish.

I would never do English if I had a choice to do Spanish. Preschool is mostly play no matter what. If the one advertises academics, well, it's still going to be a ton of play. Preschool is fun! And the play-based one will have academics. Bottom line is the young child can pick up so much with 100% immersion. You are very lucky!!! If you can give the gift of language, go for it!

I would do the play-based preschool and find other opportunities to expose her to Spanish. Look on meetup for a Spanish-speaking playgroup. Form a playgroup of your own with other Spanish speakers in your area (it's possible that the other caregivers will be nannies, but it would be great for boosting both of your Spanish speaking skills). Look into Spanish classes through your local community center or a nearby language school.

Play based preschool is really wonderful. Your kids will learn so much more through play than they will from worksheets at this age. They have years of formal education ahead of them - let preschool be fun.