Speaking Your Language: Buzzword Offers Bilingual Activities and Events for Families
Buzzword offers interactive learning opportunities that encourage imagination, investigation, creation, and reflection so families can support early literacy development and learning while expanding their young children's vocabulary and conversation skills. Buzzword family events are in-person opportunities for the program’s collaborative partners to bring the Buzzword excitement to families, facilitating story time activities such as art and music.
This past spring, Buzzword released two bilingual BUZZ boxes that included activity books translated into a different language - one in Arabic and one in Spanish. The companion events were held specifically in communities in the region that speak the language highlighted in that month’s box.
At the April event - which took place at the Carnegie Family Center - a total of 15 families turned out for a reading of “Eleven Words of Love” by Randa Abdel-Fattah and included activities from the FRIENDSHIP/ المحبة (al-Mahabbah) BUZZ Box.
During the May event at the McKeesport Family Center / Immigrant Family Connections, nine families in attendance listened to a reading of “Gato Guapo” by Anika Aldamuy Denise and participated in activities featured in the COUNT/CONTAR BUZZ Box.
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and ACH Clear Pathways supported the April event, while the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust supported the May event.
Jason Fate, the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center’s program coordinator, said he participated in both the Spanish-speaking and Arabic-speaking events for the BUZZ Boxes.
“Both gatherings were vibrant, welcoming, and filled with the energy of a dedicated staff,” said Jason Fate, Program Coordinator of the Homewood Early Learning HUB & Family Center. “Laughter, learning, and a true sense of community and connection were present throughout. I hope there are more opportunities to connect with bilingual families across Allegheny County as both events were great successes.”
Buzzword intends to hold similar events featuring BUZZ Boxes that include bilingual components in the future. Buzzword family events like these and others can be found on the events calendar.
Bilingualism is Beneficial
While the aim of the bilingual boxes and events is inclusion of families for whom English is a second language, native English-speaking children are also afforded the opportunity to learn about different languages and cultures beyond their own.
Research has found that many children grow up hearing two languages in their household. A study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information noted that bilingual children have an advantage in a variety of areas, including travel, employment, speaking with extended family members, maintaining a connection to family culture and history, and making friends from different backgrounds.
A Psychology Today article notes that exposing young children to diversity is important because it introduces them to people from all walks of life.
For more ideas for exposing children to different cultures, check out these Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh resources:
