Preschool students get best of both worlds

Published 12:39 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

NORTH BEND – It is hard to find the words to describe the view of Mount Si and the Valley that Kimberly Houde de Pomato has from her home in the Uplands development outside North Bend.

Her students, however, could probably come up with some in two different languages.

For the past 18 months, Houde de Pomato has run the Spanish Academy, a preschool program that teaches traditional prekindergarten curriculum in both Spanish and English, out of her home. For children who are just starting to read, learning the Spanish language may seem a bit challenging, but to Houde de Pomato, it is the perfect time to learn another language.

“When you know one language you learn like this,” said Houde de Pomato , holding out one open hand. “When you know two languages, you learn like this,” she added, with two open hands. “And language is the basis of learning.”

Originally from Seattle, Houde de Pomato perfected her Spanish after spending three years in Argentina. She has a master’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in family development, but her main impetus for wanting to start the Spanish Academy was the opportunity to be with her young daughter, who is also a student.

She opened the Spanish Academy in February 2002 with just a handful of students, but the program has grown to include 20 families who had children in last year’s class. Houde de Pomato has been asked by parents to keep the program moving forward and next year, there will be a kindergarten class.

For the complete story, pick up a copy of this week’s Valley Record