Celebrating 26 years of children’s day, book day el día de los niños, el día de los libros
El día de los niños, El día de los libros at The Woodlands Children’s Museum
With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day coming soon, The Woodlands Children’s Museum will begin the season with Children’s Day on Friday, April 29!
Inspired by the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Child, Children’s Day/Book Day/El dia de los ninos/El dia de los libros, is a nationwide collaboration among libraries, schools, literacy organizations and education leaders to celebrate children and recognize the joy of reading all over the world. Founded in 1996 by poet and author Pat Mora, the idea is described in her bilingual picture book Book Fiesta!
To recognize Children’s Day/Book Day/El dia de los ninos/El dia de los libros, The Woodlands Children’s Museum will feature a special reading of Book Fiesta! during its weekly Storybook Theatre on Friday, April 29, 2022 at 11:00am. The book will be read in English by museum staff, and special guests from The Woodlands Christian Academy will read the book in Spanish for children and families.
“Early literacy is so important for every child, regardless of linguistic or cultural background,” stated Angela Colton, the museum’s Executive Director. “This celebration and special bilingual storytime lets us highlight how community organizations can work together to serve children’s needs.”
The Woodlands Christian Academy will begin a dual language Spanish immersion program beginning in Fall 2022, and staff will be available to provide information and answer any
questions during the Children’s Day/Book Day event. Spanish immersion is a proven method of educating English-speaking students in an instructional setting that allows children to acquire a second language through full-day Spanish instruction in reading, writing, math, and science. Spanish is taught naturally through daily classroom activities that meet the educational standards set forth by the school.
“Learning a second language is pertinent in a world that is becoming increasingly globalized,” stated Patty Bruha, Lower School Principal of The Woodlands Christian Academy. “Teaching students another language is perhaps the most useful real world skill they can learn.”
Also during Children’s Day/Book Day on April 29, museum staff will share the book Bonsoir Lune/Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, offering a French version of the popular children’s book. Children will hear the classic story about a little bunny saying goodnight to the moon plus everything in his room in both French and English.