In a time when virtual learning has become the new normal, many of us find ourselves asking: How do I ensure my child is learning all the important stuff? For some of us, even more specifically, we’re wondering how we can best supplement a child’s education with engaging materials that will challenge them. Learning videos may not be the first early education tool that we think of because they are often seen as a passive form of learning, but can learning videos be engaging and implement play-based learning?
We want to ensure that our students have access to as many as the same educational opportunities as they did before in school, if not more of them! In fact, virtual learning may do just that. The time for online learning has never been more salient, which means your child has the chance to do all sorts of supplemental learning…such as learning a new language! Learning a new language—such as Spanish—can be significantly supported through learning videos. Here are some ways that these videos can help your child in their journey to acquire fluency in a new language…
Exposure is key! What’s unique about learning virtually through videos is that students (with or without help from an adult) can pause, rewind, and replay, making it a uniquely interactive experience that optimizes engagement with the material. This provides the perfect opportunity for a child to have oral and visual instruction repeated, leading to expanded and exponentially increased exposure.
It also provides them with a chance to orally repeat the words they’re learning, as much as they need! Experts say that an abundance of practice is crucial in learning a new language and acquiring fluency. An abundance of practice means lots and lots of exposure, which is made especially possible through videos.
Non-verbal communication is just as important! As any language expert or educator will tell you, verbal communication is only half the story. People across all cultures communicate just as much non-verbally as they do verbally. When students learn virtually, they have the chance to observe non-verbal cues and analyze gestures and facial expressions. This visual element provides the non-verbal component of language comprehension that written learning just can’t account for.
Visual elements are important, too! The interactive visual elements provide students with an opportunity to learn in one of many different ways, and research shows that students learn best when information is exposed to them through multiple modes of communication.
Not to mention the fact that those visuals help contextualize the information they’re learning, reinforcing the information to assist with better comprehension. And since research shows that learning a second language requires exposure, support, and plenty of interactive and engaging practice, what better time than now to take advantage of the opportunity to help supplement your child’s education with a rich new learning experience?
Fortunately, we’ve got you covered with all the virtual and visual learning required for learning a new language. All our language classes are divided by levels so your little one can follow along easily. The learning videos that are created for the lesson are paired with hands-on activities so you can be sure that your child is making connections back to the lesson.
Our Hola BumoBuddies (level 1), Hola BumoBuddies (level 2), and Hola BumoBuddies (level 3) enrichment classes provide super engaging, visually stimulating, and interactive opportunities for your little one to begin their journey toward multiple language exposure and second-language fluency.
Remember, learning a second language has many academic and developmental benefits. Research shows learning a second language helps kids grow up empathetic and children who are bilingual show greater mental “flexibility.” They are able to grasp abstract concepts and also have a better memory. Start today and begin seeing the benefits of learning a second language for yourself!
