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September 3, 2026
A World of Possibilities Begins with Language: Why We’re Bringing Spanish Into the Classroom at Doodle Bugs!
Eden Stafstrom, MA PhD ABD, Spanish Immersion Curriculum & Program Manager
Did you know that giving your child the opportunity to learn a second language can provide benefits that last a lifetime?
Research has consistently shown that children who learn a second language from an early age experience advantages that extend into academics, relationships, and even long-term health.
Studies have found that bilingual children often demonstrate stronger executive functioning skills, including improved attention, self-control, problem-solving, and cognitive flexibility. They frequently show increased empathy and perspective-taking abilities and often perform better on standardized assessments later in life. Some research even suggests that bilingualism may help protect against cognitive decline and reduce the risk of developing conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease in older adulthood.
Perhaps most importantly, researchers agree on one thing: earlier is better. Young children’s brains are especially receptive to language learning. When young children begin learning a second language, they often develop enhanced critical thinking skills, greater creativity, stronger multitasking abilities, and increased mental flexibility. Early exposure allows language learning to feel natural and enjoyable, building a strong foundation for future learning.
At Doodle Bugs!, we believe young children learn best through play, relationships, and meaningful experiences. That’s why we created the ¡Vamos! English-Spanish Immersion Program, which provides children with meaningful daily exposure to the Spanish language through authentic materials, immersive play-based experiences, music, movement, storytelling, and hands-on exploration. We’re piloting this program at our Oviedo center for the 2026-2027 school year with hopes to expand thereafter!
Led entirely in Spanish by a dynamic Spanish-speaking teacher, the program is designed to support communication skills, social-emotional development, cognitive growth, listening comprehension, and school readiness during the most important years of early childhood development. Rather than memorizing vocabulary lists or completing worksheets, children experience language as something living and exciting.
Each interactive Spanish circle time is carefully designed to meet children at their developmental level while encouraging participation, creativity, movement, and connection. Through songs, games, imaginative play, stories, and collaborative activities, children engage with language in joyful and meaningful ways that build confidence and curiosity.
¡Vamos! is thoughtfully designed to support children at every stage of development:
Infants experience gentle face-to-face language interactions through songs, playful sounds, movement, smiles, and giggles that strengthen social connection, listening skills, and early communication development.- Toddlers build confidence through interactive games, music, and movement activities that encourage participation and joyful exploration of language.
- Preschoolers develop school readiness skills through meaningful vocabulary exposure, storytelling, dramatic play, Spanish songs, puppet shows, collaborative activities, and authentic children’s literature from across the Spanish-speaking world.
Every experience is intentionally designed to be developmentally appropriate, engaging, and fun while helping children build strong foundations for communication, creativity, confidence, and lifelong learning.
Our program creates a welcoming environment where all children—whether they already hear Spanish at home or are experiencing it for the very first time—can play, explore, sing, move, and learn together. Through joyful daily interactions with language, children naturally develop listening and communication skills while building positive associations with learning itself.
When we introduce children to a second language early in life, we are giving them far more than new words. We are nurturing confident communicators, curious learners, and creative problem solvers. By making language learning exciting and engaging during the early childhood years, we help lay the foundation for lifelong learning, stronger social connections, and a world of possibilities.
