Learning Spanish as easy as uno, dos, tres

Every day, technology connects countries around the world and the need to learn a new language becomes more pressing. Elementary teacher Lymari Tattnall noticed this demand and decided to do something about it.

Growing up with parents from the Dominican Republic, Tattnall had a Spanish-speaking advantage that she wished to share with other children. So, this summer, she began a Spanish enrichment program, “Hablemos Español.”

Tattnall, of Valley Stream, plays Spanish CDs for the kids and focuses on a different culture every week, which she said is her favorite part of the program. One week, she taught the children about Mexico and dressed the part with cowboy boots and a sombrero. “Teaching them about different cultures is very important,” she said. “It helps them become more well-rounded and accepting of different people.”

She even handed out bandanas to the children as they answered questions about the Mexican culture.

Tattnall, who has been teaching for 12 years, likes making the program her own by creating the activities herself. “I have a feeling of what works for children,” she said, explaining that an overall introduction to the language is important before getting into specifics. “I try to touch on all different areas.”

Specifically, she mentioned literature, music and basic words.

A mother of two, Tattnall teaches her own children Spanish. Maya, 5, and Alexa, 1, are already bilingual. “My husband speaks to them in English and I speak to them in Spanish,” Tattnall said.

She is currently teaching sixth grade and in the past has taught first and second grade, been a guidance counselor and volunteered at a Brooklyn school, all of which helps her understand her students better, she said.

The program meets at Mimi’s Creative Kids daycare on Tuesdays and Tropix Dance & FitnezZ Studio on Saturdays in Lynbrook. The classes at Mimi’s are only open to Mimi’s attendees, but the classes at the dance studio are open to any children from pre-K to third grade. The Spanish program currently has 11 children enrolled.

Tattnall is already teaching Spanish in her own classroom, but hopes to eventually create an official after school program and expand to more daycares. Her friend, a French teacher, is thinking about co-teaching the program with Tattnall so it can offer both languages.

Tattnall is continuing the program this coming fall at the same locations and plans to be at the Valley Stream Community Festival on Sept. 28. For more information or for registration, contact Lymari Tatnall at ltattnall@yahoo.com.