The AFA Blog

Raising Bilingual, Kindhearted Kids

Practical guidance on Spanish immersion, bilingual parenting, and early learning, from the educators at our Woodbury academy.

A bright Spanish immersion Kindergarten classroom at Alma Flor Ada in Woodbury, Minnesota
Enrollment

Now Enrolling: Spanish Immersion Kindergarten for Fall 2026

Alma Flor Ada is now enrolling Spanish immersion Kindergarten in Woodbury, MN for the 2026-2027 school year. Here is what our full-day bilingual Kindergarten offers.

Lucilla Davila
A bright hallway lined with classroom cubbies and natural light inside Alma Flor Ada Spanish Immersion in Woodbury
Choosing a Preschool

Preschool vs Daycare: What Is the Difference?

Preschool vs daycare: learn the real difference in curriculum, age, and goals, and how to choose the right fit for your child in Woodbury, Minnesota.

Melissa Thaemert
A child engaged in joyful imaginative play at Alma Flor Ada Spanish Immersion in Woodbury
Bilingual Parenting

How to Keep Your Child's Spanish Alive Over Summer Break

Worried about the summer slide? Here are simple, joyful ways Woodbury families can keep a child's Spanish alive over summer break, no fluency required.

Juliana Capdevila
Children play on the outdoor playground at Alma Flor Ada Spanish immersion summer camp in Woodbury
Spanish Immersion

Summer Learning Loss Is Real. Here Is How Immersion Camps Help

Summer learning loss is real for preschoolers. See how Spanish immersion summer camps in Woodbury, MN keep your child's skills and language growing all break.

Melissa Thaemert
Young children learning together at Alma Flor Ada Spanish Immersion in Woodbury
Bilingual Parenting

The Benefits of Bilingualism for Young Children (Backed by Research)

The benefits of bilingualism for young children include stronger thinking skills, academic gains, empathy, and lifelong opportunity. Here is what research shows.

Juliana Capdevila
A joyful classroom moment during the day at Alma Flor Ada in Woodbury
Early Learning

A Day in the Life at a Spanish Immersion Academy

A Spanish immersion preschool daily schedule from drop-off to pickup at Alma Flor Ada in Woodbury, MN: circle time, centers, meals, rest, and more.

Melissa Thaemert
A parent and child together at Alma Flor Ada Spanish Immersion in Woodbury
Bilingual Parenting

Do You Need to Speak Spanish at Home for Immersion to Work?

No, you do not need to speak Spanish at home for immersion to work. Here's why, plus simple ways any family can support a bilingual child.

Juliana Capdevila
A native Spanish-speaking teacher leading a lesson at Alma Flor Ada in Woodbury
Spanish Immersion

How the 90/10 Spanish Immersion Model Works

A clear, parent-friendly explanation of the 90/10 Spanish immersion model: what it means, when teachers use English, why it works, and what you'll notice at home.

Juliana Capdevila
A child thriving at Alma Flor Ada Spanish Immersion in Woodbury
Choosing a Preschool

Is a Spanish Immersion Preschool Right for Your Child?

Wondering is Spanish immersion right for my child? An honest, founder's guide to who thrives, common worries, and how to decide, from Alma Flor Ada in Woodbury.

Lucilla Davila
A welcoming classroom space at Alma Flor Ada Spanish Immersion in Woodbury
Choosing a Preschool

What to Look for in a Spanish Immersion Preschool

How to choose a Spanish immersion preschool: a practical tour checklist covering immersion percentage, native-speaking teachers, ratios, safety, culture, and tuition.

Melissa Thaemert
Children building early literacy skills at Alma Flor Ada in Woodbury
Early Learning

Will My Child Be Ready for Kindergarten After Spanish Immersion?

Yes. Here's how Spanish immersion builds real kindergarten readiness, why English does not fall behind, and how children transition into kindergarten.

Juliana Capdevila
The entrance to Alma Flor Ada Spanish Immersion Early Learning Academy in Woodbury, Minnesota
Choosing a Preschool

Spanish Immersion Preschool in Woodbury, MN: A Parent's Guide

A clear, local guide to Spanish immersion preschool in Woodbury, MN: how it works, what it costs, the right age to start, and how to know if it fits your family.

Lucilla Davila
Children enjoying summer activities at Alma Flor Ada in Woodbury
Programs

Spanish Immersion Summer Camps in Woodbury

Spanish immersion summer camp in Woodbury, MN: 12 weeks of bilingual adventures blending STEM, art, music, and outdoor play for current and new AFA families.

Melissa Thaemert
A toddler exploring and learning at Alma Flor Ada in Woodbury
Early Learning

Starting Spanish Immersion at 16 Months: What to Expect

Starting toddler Spanish immersion at 16 months is an ideal time to begin. Here is what a day looks like, how language develops, and how separation is supported.

Melissa Thaemert
The welcoming lobby of Alma Flor Ada, serving families near South St. Paul, Minnesota
Choosing a Preschool

Daycare and Pre-K Near South St. Paul: What Parents Should Know

A guide to daycare and pre-K near South St. Paul, MN: the differences, what to look for, and how Spanish immersion gives children a head start.

Lucilla Davila
Children exploring a hands-on STEM and sensory activity at Alma Flor Ada in Woodbury
Spanish Immersion

STEM for Kindergarten in Minnesota: What to Look For

What makes a great STEM experience for kindergarten in Minnesota, and how hands-on science and Spanish immersion build curious, confident learners.

Lucilla Davila
Children enjoying a group activity at Alma Flor Ada in Woodbury
Spanish Immersion

7 Ways to Know if a Spanish Summer Camp Is Right for Your Child

Wondering if a Spanish language summer camp fits your family? Here are seven signs it is a great match, and what to expect from an immersion camp.

Lucilla Davila
Hands-on Spanish learning in an Alma Flor Ada classroom in Woodbury
Spanish Immersion

The Complete Guide to a Spanish Immersion Curriculum

What a true Spanish immersion curriculum looks like, how the 90/10 model works, and how children become bilingual readers, thinkers, and communicators.

Lucilla Davila
The outdoor playground at Alma Flor Ada, near Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Spanish Immersion

Summer Camps Near Cottage Grove: A Family Guide

A guide to choosing a great summer camp near Cottage Grove, MN, plus how a bilingual Spanish immersion camp keeps learning joyful all summer.

Lucilla Davila
A Spanish cultural mural in an Alma Flor Ada classroom in Woodbury
Culture

Authentic Spanish Culture, in the Words That Carry It

Language and culture are inseparable. Here are expressions that capture the heart of Spanish-speaking cultures, and why culture matters in immersion.

Lucilla Davila
Toddlers and preschoolers learning together at Alma Flor Ada in Woodbury
Bilingual Parenting

Nurturing Language Skills from Toddler to Preschooler

How young children's language develops from toddler to preschooler, the milestones to watch, and how immersion supports every stage of growth.

Lucilla Davila
The entrance of Alma Flor Ada Spanish Immersion Early Learning Academy in Woodbury, Minnesota
Choosing a Preschool

Child Care and Pre-K in Minnesota: A Parent's Starter Guide

A practical guide to child care and pre-K options in Minnesota: program types, what to look for, and how Spanish immersion fits your child's early start.

Lucilla Davila
A bright Spanish immersion kindergarten classroom at Alma Flor Ada in Woodbury
Bilingual Parenting

The Benefits of a Spanish Immersion Kindergarten

How a Spanish immersion kindergarten builds bilingual skills, sharper thinking, and cultural confidence, and why age five is the ideal time to start.

Lucilla Davila
Inside the Alma Flor Ada academy in Woodbury, Minnesota
Choosing a Preschool

After-School Programs in Woodbury: A Parent's Guide

A guide to after-school care in Woodbury, MN: what to look for, the benefits of enrichment, and how a bilingual program keeps Spanish growing.

Lucilla Davila
A kindergarten child engaged in hands-on learning at Alma Flor Ada in Woodbury
Spanish Immersion

A Spanish Curriculum for Kindergarten: A Parent's Guide

What a strong Spanish curriculum for kindergarten includes, the methods that work, and how Woodbury parents can support bilingual learning at home.

Lucilla Davila
A child exploring through imaginative, hands-on play at Alma Flor Ada in Woodbury
Spanish Immersion

What Are STEM Programs for Little Learners?

STEM for young children is about curiosity, not gadgets. Here is what early STEM really looks like and how it pairs with Spanish immersion.

Lucilla Davila

See it in person

The best way to understand Spanish immersion is to visit. Schedule a tour of our Woodbury academy and meet the team.