Having fun at Hilltop

Currently, I am doing lessons at Hilltop Preschool.  They are once a month and we are having the best time.  My favorite phrase from today's lesson:  Te amo.  I love you. 

So lot of abrazos to my favorite preschoolers.

Got camp? We do!

Summer is here and do you know what is hot?  Camp Treehouse, July 5-8, 9am-12pm! Keep your preschooler or rising kindergartener cool with plenty of fun activities.  Learn Spanish and sign language, create eco-art, and chill with yoga! For more info,  http://www.moms-treehouse.com/come-join-us-at-camp-treehouse .

Camp Treehouse---Summer fun!

Are you looking for some amazing fun for your preschooler this summer?  Check out Camp Treehouse today!  http://www.moms-treehouse.com/come-join-us-at-camp-treehouse  Monday is the last day for our early bird special.

Summer Camps...¡Qué Magnifico!

Introducing Camp Treehouse!

We are excited to be offering a fabulous camp opportunity for young preschoolers this summer.  Camp Treehouse will give your child the chance to experience the joys of sign language, eco-friendly art, yoga, and Spanish, all in one week!  

Session I: Tuesday, May 31-Friday, June 3, 9am-12pm

Session II: Tuesday, July 5-Friday, July 8, 9am-12pm

Each day your child will participate in various activities to include direct instruction, songs, games, and projects that will enrich their vocabularies, enliven their senses, and give them knowledge that they might not otherwise gain over the summer!  Two instructors will co-teach each day.

HOLA (Hands On Language Academy) is a hands-on Spanish language program for young children.  Children will learn the basics of the Spanish language in a fun atmosphere.  Language is taught through play, dance, games, songs, crafts and reading.  

Smart Moves Yoga for Kids is an interactive, play-based approach to yoga during which participants stretch their minds and their bodies.  Classes include literature, art, music, and movement.  Various postures will be introduced as well as themes of love, respect, and kindness.  

Signing From the Heart:  Recent research has indicated that hearing toddlers and children who sign “exercise” a part of their brain that isn’t accessed during other speaking and listening activities.   Sign language improves a child’s vocabulary and helps him learn to read, connecting the printed letters to the concept in a more meaningful way.  Children of all ages perform better in school when they have been exposed to sign language in their early years.  Plus, it’s fun!  We sing and play games while introducing dozens of signs on a variety of topics relevant to your preschooler.

Raising Green Richmond Kids is committed to helping parents raise eco-smart children by teaching them more positive ways to cook, garden, clean, make crafts, and explore the world around them.  Eco-Art focuses on the exploration and introduction of art and nature with recycled and non-toxic materials. Each Eco-Art class starts with a story that ties into a theme and a summer fun art activity. 

Cost: $125 per child (ages 3 and up) before May 15

$145 after May 15

$10 Sibling Discount

We ask that every child be potty-trained and independent in the bathroom.  

We also ask that a healthy snack be brought from home each day, something quick, simple, nut-free, and relatively mess-free.  We will provide water for the children during snacktime.  

For more information or to register, email info@moms-treehouse.com or call Moms's Treehouse: 888-232-2450

Preschool de Mayo

Preschool de Mayo…Come play, dance and sing as we learn Spanish together at Mom's Treehouse.  This month’s theme is Cinco de Mayo.  We will learn a little bit about Mexico and its culture.  This class is designed for children ages 3-5 years old.  It is 45 minutes of dynamic learning followed by 15 minutes of playgroup.  The cost is $45.  Parents may drop off their child or stay and learn.  We will meet on Wednesdays at 4pm beginning May 4-May 25.  ¡ Viva México!   Please email for more information ammcann@gmail.com.

Sign up now for new classes!

We are forming new classes now.  In order to have a mommy and me class at Cartwheels and Coffee (http://www.cartwheelsandcoffee.com/), we need to have a group of 5 children signed up. This class will be held on Wednesdays at 10:30am starting April 27th.  Are you and your child ready to learn Spanish today?  Please email me at ammcann@gmail.com. I will be able to help you register from there.

Do you have an older preschooler or school age child who wants to learn Spanish?  ¡Excelente!  Then come join us for an afternoon class at Mom's Treehouse (http://www.moms-treehouse.com/).   We need to know what afternoons work for you.  Email me and let me know what afternoons you and your child are available.  These classes will last @ 45 minutes.  You can drop your child off and run some errands at the John Rolfe shopping center.  These classes will begin in May.

Also are you thinking ahead to summer vacation?  We are, too!  We will be offering a summer camp.  More information will be coming soon.

We look forward to seeing you soon.  ¡Hasta luego!

Gracias!

Thanks to all the wonderful ladies and children who came to sing and dance with us at  Cartwheels and Coffee.  We had a great time and  can't wait to see you again.  Remember if you are ready to sign up for classes send me an email at ammcann@gmail.com.   Our first class at Cartwheels and Coffee is slated to begin April 27.   If you haven't met us yet, come and join us next week at Cartwheels and Coffee as we shake it up again on April 13th at 10:30 am.

Café, por favor!

Come join us again for some fun at Cartwheels and Coffee. We will be having a great time with our Mama y yo preview class on Wednesday April 6 at 10:30 am.  We will be singing, laughing, dancing and sipping our café.  Also I have some beautiful bags to give away to those mamás that sign up for our class.  Hasta pronto.

Cartwheels and Coffee and Croupy Baby

Sorry folks that I had to miss you all this morning at Cartwheels and Cafe.  Our little man has croup and I figured that no one would want me to share that, not even in Spanish.  We are going to a preview class next week.  I will post here with more information and times. Gracias!

Cartwheels and Coffee

¿Café con bebé?  or ¿Bebes café?  Come find out the answer on Monday, March 28th at 10:30 am as we have Spanish class at Cartwheels and Coffee!  Bring your preschooler and a friend.  Enjoy coffee as you and your little one learn Spanish!  This is a preview class. We want you and your little one to learn more about taking classes with us.   Vamos!

Starting class tomorrow

Join us at 10:30 am at Mom'sTreehouse where you can learn to say cool things like : No me digas!  which in Spanish means: You don't say!

Just sayin!

Picasso-o la la

This is one exhibit you won't want to miss.  I am so excited that Richmond's VMFA will be hosting Picasso.  For more details, see http://www.vmfa.state.va.us/Picasso/ .  I am already planning the morning  that I will drop the kids at school and take my stroller loving baby on a tour the museum.  If you want to join me, let me know, ammcann@gmail.com.

Come see us tomorrow...for Free!

We are doing a free demonstration of our Spanish classes tomorrow, Tuesday, February 1, 2011.  We will be at Mom's Treehouse at 10:30am.  Come join us and bring a friend!  Vamonós!  What fun!  For directions and location see http://www.moms-treehouse.com/.

Did you see us at Moms Treehouse?

Welcome! Bienvenidos!  Did you see us today at Moms Treehouse's Grand Opening(http://www.moms-treehouse.com/)?  Are you interested in learning Spanish with your child?  You are at the right spot.  You will have to excuse our dust here at our blog.  Anyhow, do you have questions about our programs? Want to register for a class?  Send me an email at ammcann@gmail.com.  I will answer your  questions and help you and your child register for our program. Gracias!  Thanks for your interest!

Benefits for you and your child

“There is no doubt that speakers of more than one language have nimble brains.” Psychology Today (October2010; psychologytoday.com)

Foreign languages open a new world for your child.  You and your child will discover a whole new way to communicate.  Studies have shown that children who know a second language core higher on standardized tests in school.  Children who are exposed to language at an early age are more open to other cultures, people and experiences.  Knowing a second language will be a skill that your child can use throughout their lifetime. By learning Spanish, you will give your child a powerful gift that you can share together.

“All told, half of the world’s population conducts life in multiple languages....

“Infants as young as 4 months who live in bilingual environments can distinguish between two languages, monitoring lip and facial movements.  Babies also show a strong preference for the language their mother spoke during pregnancy…

“Contrary to conventional wisdom, bilingual children are not delayed in language acquisition.  In fact, words learned before age 5 have an added emotional kick, regardless of how many languages are learned.  Because the child’s brain is developing so quickly, across so many regions, the words learned during this critical period carry thick visual and emotional associations....

“Bilingualism enhances cognitive control in kids and adults.   Also bilinguals are better at learning additional languages, even if those languages bear little resemblance to the ones they already know.(Psychology Today, October 2010)”

About the Teacher

Anne Marie Cannon is a licensed Spanish PreK-12 teacher.  She has taught at all levels for nearly 15 years. Her passion for languages began as a young student. This passion led her to travel to Mexico and spend a semester studying at the prestigious University of Salamanca in Spain.

As a full time mother of three, she would like to share the passion that she has for Spanish with your child.

About the Program

HOLA is a Spanish language program for young children.  Children along with their parents will learn the basics of the Spanish language in a fun atmosphere.  Language is taught through play, dance, games, song, crafts and reading.  Parents and children meet once a week in a small group.  There is a different theme for each six week session.  Lessons are 30-45 minutes of dynamic fun for both parent and child.  There are different formats available depending on your child’s age.