Your Questions, Answered
Bilingualism and Spanish Immersion
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Learning a second language is about much more than speaking two languages. Research has shown that bilingualism offers lifelong cognitive, academic, and social benefits, especially when children begin learning at a young age.
Some of the many benefits include:
Improved cognitive skills such as problem-solving, memory, attention, and mental flexibility.
Stronger communication skills and a better understanding of how language works, which can also support reading and literacy.
Greater cultural awareness and empathy by exposing children to different perspectives, traditions, and ways of communicating.
Enhanced academic opportunities and an easier time learning additional languages later in life.
Future career advantages, as bilingualism is an increasingly valuable skill in today's global workforce.
Confidence and adaptability, as children become comfortable communicating with people from different backgrounds.
At Yaya's Spanish Academy, our goal is to nurture a love for language through joyful, play-based experiences. We believe that learning Spanish is not just about acquiring vocabulary—it's about opening doors to new friendships, cultures, and opportunities that can benefit children for a lifetime.
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Yes! Our lead teacher is a native Spanish speaker from Costa Rica with a Master's degree in Speech and Language Pathology and extensive experience working with young children. Children learn from authentic pronunciation, natural conversation, and meaningful cultural experiences, helping them develop accurate language skills from the very beginning.
Teacher assistants are also Spanish native speakers and passionate about early childhood education.
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Absolutely! No Spanish is required. Yaya's Spanish Academy warmly welcomes families of all language backgrounds. Our immersive, play-based environment allows children to acquire Spanish naturally through meaningful experiences, music, stories, and everyday interactions—making language learning joyful, engaging, and effortless.
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You don't need to speak Spanish for your child to be successful! The most important thing you can do is show enthusiasm for their learning. Ask them to teach you a new word, sing the songs they learn at school together, read the books we recommend, or simply celebrate their excitement about Spanish. Consistent exposure and positive encouragement go a long way.
At Yaya's Spanish Academy, we'll also provide families with simple songs, and vocabulary, you can practice and enjoy together at home—no Spanish experience required. Your encouragement and interest are far more important than your fluency.
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No. Research consistently shows that learning in two languages does not delay a child's English development. In fact, children who are immersed in a second language while continuing to be exposed to English naturally develop strong skills in both languages over time. While bilingual children may sometimes mix languages or have a smaller vocabulary in each language individually during the early years, their overall language development remains on track. Bilingualism is associated with cognitive, academic, and social benefits that can last a lifetime.
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Not at all! The first few years of life are actually the best time to learn a second language. Young children are naturally wired to absorb new sounds, words, and patterns from multiple languages. Learning Spanish will not confuse your child or prevent them from developing English. In fact, research shows that children can successfully learn two languages at the same time. Your child will continue building English skills while naturally acquiring Spanish in a fun, nurturing environment.
General Questions
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At Yaya's Spanish Academy, we believe that for young children, the quality of their experiences matters more than the number of hours they spend in school. Our half-day program is intentionally designed to provide a rich Spanish immersion experience during the time of day when children are most engaged and ready to learn.
A shorter day allows children to fully participate in meaningful play, music, stories, movement, creative activities, and social interactions without becoming overwhelmed or fatigued. It also gives children time for rest, family connection, outdoor exploration, and independent play outside of school.
Our goal is to create a joyful, nurturing environment where children develop a strong foundation in Spanish while building confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
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We believe that keeping families connected is an important part of your child's preschool experience. We use the Brightwheel app for daily communication, where you'll receive updates, photos, announcements, and important reminders. In addition, we'll send a weekly newsletter highlighting the themes, vocabulary, books, songs, activities, and Spanish concepts your child explored throughout the week, so you can continue the learning and conversations at home.
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We do not provide snacks. Families should send a nutritious snack from home that meets their child’s individual needs and preferences.
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No. Tuition is a yearly program fee divided into consistent payments for your convenience. Tuition remains the same each month, including weeks when the program is closed for scheduled vacations, or holidays. This allows us to maintain a consistent schedule, reserve your child’s space, and ensure the stability of our program throughout the year.
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Not at this time, but it is something we hope to offer in the future! We look forward to expanding our offerings to continue supporting children beyond the preschool years.
Children who attended our preschool program will have priority enrollment.
If this is something your family would be interested in, we would love to hear from you! Send us an email to info@yayaspanishacademy.com to be added to our interest list and receive updates as we expand our programs.