The sun peeks above the horizon and paints the sky in oranges and pinks. The crisp air is filled with the aroma of the fresh bread baked at the local bakery. My kindergartener’s day begins in a small Spanish town, more bonuses?
“!Vamos!” “Vamos!” She is giddy with excitement. Here, school days aren’t ordinary. As we walk along cobblestoned roads, each corner seems to whisper stories about centuries past. Our daily walk to school can feel like a journey through history.
The kindergarten sits between olive groves and ancient stone buildings. It’s an energetic hub where laughter is heard off the walls. Senora lópez welcomes us, with a smile that can melt the coldest hearts. “Buenos dias,” she says, her voice a melodious comforting tune that sets a good mood.
In this class, language isn’t just taught. Language is also breathed and lived. Senora lópez starts a Spanish storytime in Spanish with the children. The story today is about a mischievous little fox in an enchanted forest. It will have them wide-eyed.
“?Que piensas que hara el zorro?” She encourages the children to let their minds run wild. As they shout out their answers in Spanish, with a lot of enthusiasm and laughter, hands fly up.
Whenever snack time comes around, out come the bocadillos. Simple yet delicious, they never fail to delight tiny taste buds. Sharing food goes beyond eating. It is about interacting and connecting over tastes that are familiar or new.
I overhear parents speaking in a variety of languages as they enjoy their food. It’s like a symphony. One mother relates how her child learned flamenco dance steps in school last week.
After recess – where children play futbol with the seriousness of five-year-olds – arts and crafts take over. Painting brushes dance across the paper as young artist express themselves freely, without fear or criticism.
My daughter proudly reveals her masterpiece, a colorful jumble of chaos that depicts what appears to our cat wearing shades while riding atop the unicorn through outer space (because…why not?). Creativity is not limited!