It was my son’s last day of school. He is now four years old. One more year and he will be off to kindergarten. I decided to write this blog post because after hearing those kids singing God Bless America – My home sweet home. It brought tears in my eyes. Making me realize how much time has passed, what have I learned after all those years?; with my son being in pre-school and indeed reafirming that this is MY HOME SWEET HOME.

Even though I will always miss my family and friends in Peru after a few weeks there I miss my home in the States, my house, my bed, my car, etc, etc…and once more this is one of the reasons why I write this blog TWO WORLDS ONE CHICA. So many could understand how I feel as an immigrant that will always belong to two worlds. Hoping one day my kids will read my blog and learn about all the things mommy and daddy went through.

Let me share with you a little bit of what I have learned…

Tyler’s pre-school was recommended to me by a neighbor. To be honest I didn’t have time to look around for preschools. I wonder how many mompreneurs have the time to look around for pre-schools? I enrolled him and started to pray so it was a good place for him and for us to be part of. My son Tyler goes to All God’s Children in Alexandria VA

From the beginning I knew this isn’t Lima-Peru. So I would have to learn how things work around here in many areas. I will need a few posts to tell you ALL about JUST PRESCHOOL.

Tyler with Ms. Laura on his 1st day of school at All God’s Children

Whenever we travel to Peru, I also try to enroll my son to pre-school, for many different reasons but most importantly because I want him to be around other kids to play & learn while practicing his Spanish.

This is what I have seen in Lima, for example:

– Before the end of classes, teachers take 30min to clean the kid, wash their hands, brush their hair, even put cologne.

– Teachers or assistants carry their backpacks to their classrooms, poor little kid he could fall off if he/she does it herself

– Teachers write everyday in a notepad what the kid has done

– Most of the teachers and assistants greet the kids everyday with a kiss and a hug as they walk into the pre-school

– I love that Tyler wears a uniform so I did not have to think or fight with him every morning about what to wear to school;)

Tyler with his teacher in Lima – Peru

Let me tell you my experience in the States so far…

– Kids have to carry their own backpack and lunch box. Teaching the kid to  to be self-sufficient and to carrying its own belongings. I can still remember Tyler’s teacher telling me: Oh…Tyler can carry his own backpack. Sometimes I forget to do it, but it is true he can do it.

– Here they teach them to dress themselves, put their own jackets, put their backpacks.

– They teach them to be independent. When my mom sees Tyler put in on his shoes she says: Poor him, he doesn’t have anybody to help him!!!

and many other things…most important also Tyler has made great friends:) as well as practicing & learning his English.

Tyler’s art work:)

I think one of the things I miss the most is the warmness of our culture. The hugs and kisses for us is so natural. In Brasil they even give three kisses…so I think is a latin…thing or shall we say our flavor;)

I respect every culture and every country I have lived in. My best advice is just adapt and respect so you can be happy wherever you live.

I must also say one of the things I feel proud of; is that I did not listen to those people who told me. Do not teach Tyler Spanish until he is 3 years old. Right now he is fluent in both Spanish & English. He still has to practice both but we are very happy with his accomplishments.

I truly love the pre-school where Tyler’s goes to. I would not feel well if I would see him un-happy. Now we will spend part of his summer break in Peru;)

Hope this blogpost helps you while raising a bilingual family.

Sincerely,

Evelyn Brooks

It was my son’s last day of school. He is now four years old. One more year and he will be off to kindergarten. I decided to write this blog post because after hearing those kids singing God Bless America – My home sweet home. It brought tears in my eyes. Making me realize how much time has passed, what have I learned after all those years?; with my son being in pre-school and indeed reafirming that this is MY HOME SWEET HOME.

Even though I will always miss my family and friends in Peru after a few weeks there I miss my home in the States, my house, my bed, my car, etc, etc…and once more this is one of the reasons why I write this blog TWO WORLDS ONE CHICA. So many could understand how I feel as an immigrant that will always belong to two worlds. Hoping one day my kids will read my blog and learn about all the things mommy and daddy went through.

Let me share with you a little bit of what I have learned…

Tyler’s pre-school was recommended to me by a neighbor. To be honest I didn’t have time to look around for preschools. I wonder how many mompreneurs have the time to look around for pre-schools? I enrolled him and started to pray so it was a good place for him and for us to be part of. My son Tyler goes to All God’s Children in Alexandria VA

From the beginning I knew this isn’t Lima-Peru. So I would have to learn how things work around here in many areas. I will need a few posts to tell you ALL about JUST PRESCHOOL.

Tyler with Ms. Laura on his 1st day of school at All God’s Children

Whenever we travel to Peru, I also try to enroll my son to pre-school, for many different reasons but most importantly because I want him to be around other kids to play & learn while practicing his Spanish.

This is what I have seen in Lima, for example:

– Before the end of classes, teachers take 30min to clean the kid, wash their hands, brush their hair, even put cologne.

– Teachers or assistants carry their backpacks to their classrooms, poor little kid he could fall off if he/she does it herself

– Teachers write everyday in a notepad what the kid has done

– Most of the teachers and assistants greet the kids everyday with a kiss and a hug as they walk into the pre-school

– I love that Tyler wears a uniform so I did not have to think or fight with him every morning about what to wear to school;)

Tyler with his teacher in Lima – Peru

Let me tell you my experience in the States so far…

– Kids have to carry their own backpack and lunch box. Teaching the kid to  to be self-sufficient and to carrying its own belongings. I can still remember Tyler’s teacher telling me: Oh…Tyler can carry his own backpack. Sometimes I forget to do it, but it is true he can do it.

– Here they teach them to dress themselves, put their own jackets, put their backpacks.

– They teach them to be independent. When my mom sees Tyler put in on his shoes she says: Poor him, he doesn’t have anybody to help him!!!

and many other things…most important also Tyler has made great friends:) as well as practicing & learning his English.

Tyler’s art work:)

I think one of the things I miss the most is the warmness of our culture. The hugs and kisses for us is so natural. In Brasil they even give three kisses…so I think is a latin…thing or shall we say our flavor;)

I respect every culture and every country I have lived in. My best advice is just adapt and respect so you can be happy wherever you live.

I must also say one of the things I feel proud of; is that I did not listen to those people who told me. Do not teach Tyler Spanish until he is 3 years old. Right now he is fluent in both Spanish & English. He still has to practice both but we are very happy with his accomplishments.

I truly love the pre-school where Tyler’s goes to. I would not feel well if I would see him un-happy. Now we will spend part of his summer break in Peru;)

Hope this blogpost helps you while raising a bilingual family.

Sincerely,

Evelyn Brooks