Helping you provide better early education for dual language learners
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October is Prevent Bullying Month
available as ebook and paperback, English or Spanish on Amazon.com and other sites.
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A Not-So-Fast 5 Gamechangers Post: When Young Children Lose a Teacher
By Karen Nemeth Someone close to me got notice that her child’s young first grade teacher died suddenly over the weekend. There are, of course, a number of reasons why a teacher might suddenly be gone from a child’s class as we are seeing lots of turnover during a time when there are many health ...
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Fine Motor + Language = High-Impact Early Learning X 26 Activities!
Fine Motor Coordination and Strength Activities with Built-In Language Opportunities By Karen Nemeth from www.LanguageCastle.com Try these language-filled activities to build fine motor strength and coordination for an extraordinary return to school this year. Real items are great conversation starters, especially for children who are dual or multilingual language learners. Use them to support home ...
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New Ideas for Connecting with Diverse Families of Young Children During Difficult Times
Download the full version of this infographic with answers to frequently asked questions about building relationships with diverse families of young children now. Click here!
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Balance Work While at Home with Your Infant or Toddler!
Download these helpful infographics with practical and developmentally appropriate strategies to help families balance work at home while meeting the needs of their little ones. Continue the conversation and share your own experiences on Twitter at #TheyreOnlyBabiesOnce Part 1: Click here on the first image to download the infographic with tips for playing and interacting ...
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Win at Online Meetings When You are NOT Home Alone!
I have a LOT of experience presenting webinars and participating in conference calls when there are children around, so I’m sharing my insider secrets for success. We won’t mention the time that the cat brought a live bird in the house and the grandkids were screaming and chasing it around during my conference call …. ...
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Creative Ideas for Playing with Grandchildren When You Can’t Be Together
If you and your grandchildren are stuck at home this week – but not in the SAME home – here are some great ideas to pass the time together across the miles. A perfect opportunity to practice your heritage language or learn a new language together! Low tech ideas: Write letters to each other. Everyone loves ...
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Fast 5 Gamechangers Empower DLLs With Conversations!
Perhaps the best kind of teacher talk might be less teacher talk! All through college and professional development experiences, teachers learn what to say to children. But, one of the greatest gifts you can give to young learners, especially DLLs, is to step back and let the children do the talking. Research continues to show ...
Read MoreWhat early childhood educators need to succeed with DLLs
Here are the recommendations and resources I sent for consideration for NAEYC’s Power to the Profession initiative. I believe policy needs to say more about preparing monolingual and multilingual early childhood educators to teach children who are dual language learners. Karen Nemeth Here are a dozen reasons why: Most preschool teachers now (or in the ...
Read MoreRubric for Evaluating Apps for DLLs (c)
R.E.A.D.© Rubric for Evaluating Apps for DLLs© Karen Nemeth, www.languagecastle.com Digital Decisions: Choosing the Right Technology Tools for Early Childhood Education, Fran S. Simon & Karen Nemeth – Gryphon House Using Technology as a Teaching Tool for Dual Language Learners in Preschool through Grade 3, Karen Nemeth & Fran Simon, Young Children March 2013 Karen@languagecastle.com ...
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Who is on your preschool’s diversity team?
By Karen Nemeth, Ed.M. I think every preschool program should have a diversity team. Bring together staff, parents, and members of your community that speak the languages of the children in your classrooms so they can provide help and support in a variety of ways. Whether you have a very formal role for them ...
Read MoreThe “Magic 8” Preschool Practices Adapted for DLLs
By Karen Nemeth Have you read about the “Magic 8”? These are the eight practices that are most likely to build preschool student success, according to research by Dr. Dale Farran and her co-authors1,2,5.. They could provide great advantages for young children who are dual language learners, but how can they be applied in ...
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Considering Children who are DLLs in Emergency Planning Events in the news have many schools and programs taking a second look at their emergency plans. Let’s think what an emergency – or even a simple fire drill – must be like for a young child who doesn’t fully understand the language! Establish class buddies – ...
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Response to Recent Question on Advising Diverse Families about Electronic Toys and Early Language
I recently received a request for some resources to help families understand the impact of handing over electronic talking toys, phones and tablets to young children. Here are a few links, including the June 2017 article from Psychology Today. Feel free to suggest additional resources in the comments section.
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Dual Language Learners in Early Childhood Education: A Federal Guidance Crosswalk
Twelve national reports and policy statements have been released over the past two years that provide recommendations for supporting dual language learners (DLLs) in early childhood. This crosswalk is designed to show how these recommendations can work together to support effective early childhood care and education. Column headings represent the components recommended by the various ...
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Resources for Supporting Diverse Infants and Toddlers in Connection with Early Childhood Language Development Standards
By Karen Nemeth May 11, 2017 Infants and toddlers thrive when all of their languages are supported. The diversity of those languages will continue to grow and present challenges to professionals who work with babies and their families. Some states are adopting early language development standards that begin at age 2 ½ years. How can ...
Read MoreFast 5 Gamechangers: Yes, You CAN Support Any Home Language!
How many languages are spoken in your early childhood program? Most have 3 or more! New U.S. DOE and Head Start policies highlight the importance of supporting home languages and that can leave teachers feeling overwhelmed. How can you support so many different languages? We know you want to do what’s best for each ...
Read MoreFast 5 Gamechangers to Support Math Learning for Young DLLs
by Karen Nemeth There’s nothing boring about math but some math activities CAN be boring or hard to understand. This is especially true for children who are dual language learners. They really need math activities that are embedded in meaningful contexts that interest them to help them understand. Using empty plastic, paper or worksheet items ...
Read MoreFast 5 Gamechangers for Using Bilingual Alphabets
We want all preschool children to start learning the alphabet. That’s not always easy when they come to preschool with different language backgrounds. It can be confusing for a Spanish speaker to see a picture of “una manzana” (Spanish word for apple) next to the letter A while the other kids are saying “aaah”. This multilingual ...
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To Build a Cohesive, High-quality Early Childhood System, You Have to Address Linguistic Diversity!
by Karen Nemeth In a recent blog post from the Brookings Institution, authors Bassok, Magnuson, and Weiland1 review the shortcomings of the current early childhood care and education system and make recommendations for changes in the field… without ever once mentioning the role of growing language diversity. Apparently, that’s my job. So, please get ...
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Handout from ACTFL 2016 Conference
Preschool and Kindergarten Language Learning: New Trends in TechnologyPresented by Karen Nemeth at ACTFL 2016 Karen@languagecastle.com www. Languagecastle.com Twitter @KarenNemethEdM Digital Decisions: Choosing the Right Technology Tools for Early Childhood Education by Fran S. Simon and Karen N. Nemeth http://amzn.to/2cPiWO3 TED Talk video by Dr. Patricia Kuhl: The Linguistic Genius of Babies https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=TED+linguistic+genius+of+babies&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 Apps that ...
Read MoreFast 5 Gamechangers Help Diverse Young Children Respect Each Other
Early childhood educators have the power to start early and start strong by helping all children learn to respect themselves and others. When children and teachers speak different languages, they need special strategies to build that life-changing sense of community. Pronounce each child’s name as closely as possible. Model for your DLLs and for ...
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Top Tips for Translating Materials for Preschool DLLs and Families
1. Say less!! Reach out to preschool DLLs and their families by paring down to the absolute minimum of messages and words needed to save money and time on translations.
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Big Ideas for Finding Books for Preschool DLLs
Need help finding books for preschool DLLs to support the home languages and cultures of your children? In this post I give you quick tips and deeper resources to help you keep the learning going!
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How can technology help diverse families? It’s in this new book!
Here’s how Chip Donohue announced his new book. It’s a privilege to include diversity in our chapter among these great experts! “I’m excited to announce the release of my second edited volume, Family Engagement in the Digital Age: Early Childhood Educators as Media Mentors co-published by Routledge and NAEYC The book includes a Foreword by Ellen ...
Read MoreFast 5 Gamechangers – Revolutionize Classroom Labels for DLLs!
Preschools have labels because they value ‘environmental print’. But… if no one reads the labels or talks about them, do they really help teach language and literacy?
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Cultural/Linguistic Responsiveness is NOT Enough for DLLs
Cultural and linguistic responsiveness is NOT enough to address the early learning needs of young children who are dual language learners. This infographic tells the story about what should be included in plans for preschool DLLs. Feel free to use it as a planning tool or an advocacy tool.
Read MoreWait a Year to Assess Preschool DLLs with Disabilities? No! And Here’s Why
I was asked by a district whether it was a good idea to wait for a preschool dual language learner to spend a year in English-only kindergarten before screening or assessing him for possible speech/language services. Here’s my answer along with relevant resources. photo by Bigstock.com 1. Full English immersion is not the best approach ...
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The D.A.P. Gap: Is Cute the Enemy of Quality?
By Karen N. Nemeth, Let’s be honest. Worksheets, cookie cutter craft activities, printables, and plastic manipulatives are widely reviled by early childhood education experts, yet they are widely available and often used in preschool and child care programs. At a recent luncheon with early childhood professional development providers and authors, we tried to sort out ...
Read MoreThe Importance of Being a Little More Inclusive
By Karen N. Nemeth How did you like the new book, The Importance of Being Little: What Preschoolers Really Need from Grownups, by Erika Christakis? It is so appealing that readers might not immediately realize what’s missing: there is no inclusion of diversity. This is not a book about all preschoolers – it is a ...
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Strategies that Work with Multiple Languages – A Resource Collection
We all know that the appearance of multiple languages and cultures is growing in early childhood education. In the past, children with different languages might have been the responsibility of a specialist like an ESL teacher or certified bilingual education teacher.
Read MoreFast 5 Gamechangers for Cultural Connections in Early Childhood Education
We all know the importance of connecting with young children by understanding who they are and what’s important to them. Real cultural connections for DLLs go way beyond plastic food, flags, or posters about holidays. Here are some ways to make intentional, authentic, personal connections that help dual language learners:
Read MoreFast 5 Gamechangers- Preschool Science Learning for DLLs
Science is a great subject for early learning because it is hands-on and includes language, literacy, math, and other learning domains. But, how can teachers make science learning meaningful for children who don’t speak the same language?
Read MoreCurated Learning Toy and Book Collections for DLLs via Amazon
We have received many requests for suggestions about learning materials for dual language learners (DLLs) that we thought we’d try setting up an Amazon A-Store. Click here to find recommended bilingual and multicultural toys, books and learning resources collected for specific kinds of classrooms or programs. We call it Language Castle Learning Store. You’ll find ...
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Naming the New, Inclusive Early Childhood Education: All Teachers Ready for DECAL!
by Karen N. Nemeth, Ed.M., Pam Brillante, Ed.D., and Leah J. Mullen, M.A. What do we need to see in early childhood education now and in the future? The days of fragmented programs where children and teachers are divided according to special needs and special skills are over. Silos don’t work. Isolating children and practitioners ...
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Ban the “Bears”! We Can Do Better in Preschool!
By Karen N. Nemeth, Ed.M., author and founder of Language Castle and Pamela Brillante, Ed.D., author and assistant professor of special education You know those colorful, plastic “bears”? We’re sure you do because they are in nearly every preschool classroom in the U.S. We think that’s a problem and we are about to tell you ...
Read MoreFast 5 Gamechangers that Make Early Ed. Professional Development Stick
The big question about expensive professional development for early childhood educators is: Will it stick? Will the time and expense result in lasting, meaningful change? Five quick questions can make all the difference. Don’t pay anyone to provide professional development for your early childhood education program without getting answers to these Fast 5 Questions. The really ...
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Infographic Makes the Case for Including Young DLLs in Everything!
Language Castle is giving you this infographic so you can use it for advocacy, reports, grants and policy development in support of dual language learners. Click the image or here to download the infographic.
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U.S.: 1 Country, 2 Language Attitudes – Should All Children be DLLs?
By Karen N. Nemeth What an interesting week in the news for early childhood language and advocates. News reports revealed the growing trend for families in upscale neighborhoods to pay high fees for language immersion schools so their young children can become bilingual. On the other hand we read that, in some cities, families are ...
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New Words, New Friends story for DLLs on Video!
New Words, New Friends is a story about young children who don’t speak the same language, but their teacher understands about dual language learners and helps them learn strategies to help. Thanks to the dedicated folks at @ReadyRosie.com for creating this video of a mom and child learning together with…Click here to order New Words, ...
Read MoreFast 5 Gamechangers that Build Language Quality for DLLs!
by Karen Nemeth Have you seen the articles focusing on language quality this week? In the New York Times on October 16, 2014 we read about Kathy Hirsh-Pasek’s research in Quality of Words, Not Quantity, Is Crucial to Language Skills, Study Says. Researchers are making a powerful case that, for children under the age of 6, ...
Read MoreRecursos para los maestros preescolares
por Karen Nemeth Recursos en español para educación y desarrollo infantil 2014 ...
Read MoreFast 5 Gamechangers that REALLY Get Parents of DLLs to Engage!
by Karen N. Nemeth “Parents of DLLs just don’t want to get involved – and it’s hard to know why because many of them don’t speak much English!” Language Castle Fast 5 Gamechangers gives you five fast changes you can make now to start seeing better results. If your goal is to just get some ...
Read MoreFast 5 Gamechangers that Make a Great 1st Day for DLLs in PreK
by Karen N. Nemeth photo by Bigstock.com You know what they say – “First impressions are lasting impressions.” What happens on the first day or two of preK can set the tone for a young DLL’s entire year! These FAST 5 Gamechangers will make sure each child gets the best possible start – paving the ...
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Summer Learning Day for Preschool DLLs
by Karen N. Nemeth Diego and Mei-ling may be small, but they worked hard to learn in their preschool this year. They did a lot of preschool learning, social learning AND language learning, but what will happen to all that knowledge over the long weeks of summer leading up to the first day of kindergarten? ...
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Using Skype and Videochats with Young Children
Skype can provide an open window to interact with the world. For young children, it can make different languages and cultures take on a whole new meaning. Skype can be downloaded for free on any computer or tablet device.
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Language Diversity … Can You Help Young Children Communicate and Play with their Friends who Speak Different Languages? (How New Words, New Friends was born!)
How New Words, New Friends was Born! by Karen N. Nemeth “Why don’t you play much with the other kids, Vivi?” “Most of the kids speak Spanish and they just talk to each other. If my friend who speaks my language doesn’t come to school one day, I don’t have anybody to play with.” “Don’t ...
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World Mother Language Day in Professional Development – Four Pillars of Support
by Karen N. Nemeth Celebrate World Mother Language Day on February 21, 2014 by Sharing the 4 Pillars of Support for Home Language: Brain, Identity, Family and Social Skills Development Over the past year, we’ve shared several major research reports that confirm the importance of supporting each child’s home language, or “mother language”. I make ...
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Twitter tips – What to do with a Conference Hashtag Twitter feed
by Karen Nemeth It’s 2014 – so you shouldn’t be surprised that every education conference is asking you to follow proceedings on Twitter. Don’t be afraid. When you try it, you’ll really like what this use of social media has to offer. Here are some tips: 1. Twitter is free and it’s public – anyone ...
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Ten MORE Ways to Improve School Attendance with DLLs and Families in Mind
By Karen Nemeth Reports about the damaging effects of poor school attendance in early childhood education, particularly kindergarten, have been in the news lately. Whenever that happens, lists of solutions soon follow. I am concerned that most of these solutions are focused on the superficial symptoms rather than on the root causes. If we really ...
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