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Spanish Storytime sessions provide Cheyenne children with bilingual experience

Nolan (left) and his mother Georgia (right), listen to a story read in both English and Spanish from Abby Roswell and Jessica Fernandez-Medina. (Photo by Stephanie Lam/Cap City News)

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Upon entering the second floor of the Laramie County Library on Wednesday night, visitors could hear an unexpected commotion: children enthusiastically repeating words and phrases in Spanish.

Cuentos y Amigos, or Spanish Storytime, is an event hosted every third Wednesday of the month from 6 to 7 p.m. by Jessica Fernandez-Medina, chair of the Cheyenne Hispanic Festival committee, and Abby Rowswell, youth services specialist at the library.

During the one-hour window, Fernandez-Medina and Rowswell teach children basic words and phrases in Spanish related to a specific theme. The little language enthusiasts are encouraged to sing songs, listen to books and play games to remember what they learned.

The event is open to children under 9 years old and is free for all who attend.

Session topics, which can include anything from family members to colors, are chosen by the two hosts based on a holiday or special experience associated with that month.

Although Spanish Storytime launched in November, the festival committee and library staff hosted a similar event in September to raise awareness about Hispanic Heritage month.

After receiving positive feedback from attendees and hearing about their interest in learning Spanish, Rowswell and Fernandez-Medina were inspired to create monthly sessions.

“I feel like people see that the population of Spanish speakers are growing, so parents want to teach their kids a second language like Spanish,” Fernandez-Medina said. “They can be a translator, and if they’re somewhere and realize that someone doesn’t speak English, can step in and help.”

Attendees come from both Spanish and non-Spanish-speaking families, and some visit the library just for the storytimes.

“It’s fun to meet new faces in the library,” Rowswell said. “It’s important to try to welcome people who may not speak English well, or have that interest in learning Spanish.”

Georgia, a local mother, brings her son Nolan to the sessions every month to improve his Spanish. The 6-year-old had been quickly picking it up from listening to songs and taking online classes at home, and uses that time to practice with others. 

“I think it’s great,” Georgia said. “The sessions go at a good pace and it’s another supplemental method for him to learn Spanish. He learns well from others.” 

Fernandez-Medina said the reactions she gets from attendees make her excited to teach Spanish and share Hispanic culture.

“The kids are so excited and happy to learn,” Fernandez-Medina said. “Afterwards they’ll come up to me and say, ‘I know this in Spanish!’ and that’s great. The excitement that they have gives me the excitement to share as well.”

The next Spanish Storytime will take place on Jan. 18 at the Laramie County Library.


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