Week 1: First Day at GalaMundi!

Mae b -

Hey, everyone! Today was my first day at GalaMundi. When I arrived, Elsa O. (the head of GalaMundi) led me through her home to a large back room where her in-home preschool takes place. I was impressed – it did not look like an in-home preschool with all of the modifications Elsa has made; she even has a large outdoor play area with play structures and wood chips. Here are some photos: GalaMundi images

Over the next hour, kids trickled in through the backdoor entrance to the school. There were a total of eight today (usually there are 10, but 2 were absent). They ranged in age from 1.5 years old to 4 years old. Some speak Spanish at home; some do not. 

The kids seemed surprised to see me this morning. They were shy, hiding behind tables and chairs and peeking at me from behind their hands. After a little while, one girl wordlessly grabbed my hand and pulled me over to play cashier with her. Ten or so minutes later, three girls and I were playing together while they talked to me, stumbling over their words. “We should build a…a house.” “Yes, a house!” “No, that’s my blanket for the house!”

I learned today that GalaMundi originated as a preschool in Ecuador nearly 20 years ago, started by Elsa O. and her sister. It operated there for 15 years, before Elsa O. and her sister moved GalaMundi to the United States. GalaMundi had a daycare center (not a home) until the pandemic, when Elsa had to move the preschool to her home. 

I played with the children all morning. Elsa emphasized to me the importance of routine for the kiddos – first indoor play, then a snack, then outdoor play, then lunch, then a nap. We sang our ABC’s (in English) and learned numbers (in Spanish). The kids got up to dance to a Spanish kids’ song Elsa played out of an iPad. 

Elsa and her assistant teacher Yadira switch on a dime between English and Spanish. They explain something in Spanish, speaking nonstop to the kids to give them exposure to Spanish. Then they effortlessly repeat their instructions in English or explain something to a confused child that doesn’t speak Spanish at home. 

I expected more formal instruction requiring the kids to sit and listen, and I was surprised by how individual the learning is at GalaMundi. Yadira and Elsa teach little lessons all day long to small groups of kids. They count, read, clean, or practice hand-eye coordination with a few children at a time that are near them. With such a wide age range, group lessons are nearly impossible, but that certainly doesn’t mean these kids aren’t learning!

One of the things that really impressed me about GalaMundi is the way they know each and every student’s individual needs. I think having only ten kids with two teachers really helps them get to know the kids. I’m looking forward to seeing what tomorrow looks like!

For those interested, here is GalaMundi’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GalaMundiFlagstaff.

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    samantha_g
    That's really cool Mae! I don't know what I was expecting GalaMundi to be like but it definitely wasn't that. For the kids who don't speak Spanish at home, is speaking to them in Spanish first then repeating it back in English a good way for them to get comfortable with the language or is there another meaning behind that choice? The kids seem really sweat, even though some of them are shy :).
    March 1, 2025 at 12:13 am - Reply
      mae_b
      Good question, Sam! The main reason Elsa, Yadira, and I speak in Spanish first is that hopefully the students will learn to understand when given physical cues and social cues (like when the other students understand and do what was asked). That is how we learn English, after all - by interpreting cues associated with words! Sometimes, though, a student will need something repeated in English, and that is when we repeat it.
      March 3, 2025 at 8:39 pm - Reply
    mason_t
    The first day seemed pretty interesting! I didn't realize GalaMundi had originated from and operated in Ecuador for 15 years before the US. Do you know if kids who "graduate" from GalaMundi typically leave with a solid 50/50 split of comprehension and speaking of Spanish and English, and do they keep using both languages in the years afterwards?
    March 1, 2025 at 7:20 pm - Reply
      mae_b
      Thanks for asking. How much comprehension a student leaves with really depends on the kid and their family. Since GalaMundi is a preschool, not a full-time elementary school, some kids come everyday, some come as few as 2 days a week. Those who spend the full week at GalaMundi do seem to have a solid grasp of Spanish even when they don't speak at home, though most of GalaMundi's students have at least one Spanish-speaking family member, such as a grandparent. Whether or not a student keeps using the language depends completely on whether they practice it. If they attend Puente or another bilingual school, then yes, they'll keep using it. Or if they speak at home! If not, it's likely to fade. Stay tuned - I hope to interview some teachers at Puente in the next few weeks to see what continued bilingual education looks like!
      March 3, 2025 at 8:43 pm - Reply
    Maleea_M
    Wow Mae, this must be such a cool experience!! Do you speak to the students in Spanish or English, or do you also switch between? If so, how much do you speak of each, and how do you determine which language to use at a given time? Very fascinating stuff.
    March 3, 2025 at 2:57 pm - Reply
      mae_b
      I switch between both languages! Because my Spanish is still a little shaky, it is easier for me to talk in English, so when I'm giving directions I default to English so my meaning is not lost. Otherwise, I try to always speak in Spanish! These kids are getting a lot of English education at home, so GalaMundi is where they need to emphasize their Spanish. Unless it is English learning time, like ABC singing or something along those lines...then we all talk in English!
      March 3, 2025 at 8:45 pm - Reply
    eugene_j
    That environment seems amazing! Honestly, I totally forgot how smart toddlers can be. Given how free and open the learning environment is for the kids, how do you plan to assess their Spanish comprehension? Or do you plan to focus more on how GalaMundi teaches the kids?
    March 4, 2025 at 9:56 pm - Reply
      mae_b
      Hi Eugene! For legal and ethical reasons, I am not allowed to do any formal assessing of the children. So yes, I'll focus more on how Elsa and Yadira approach teaching and how GalaMundi is structured rather than on testing how well it works. It is sad, but unfortunately, the legal rights of children are just too powerful. I can give general comments about things I observe at school on the whole, so I'll focus on that.
      March 10, 2025 at 7:24 am - Reply
    Elsa OHearn
    Welcome to GalaMundi, Mae! I'm so happy to have you at my preschool for your senior project on bilingualism! As you saw, I've worked hard to turn this part of my home into a real preschool space with a nice outdoor area for the children to play. It was sweet watching the children slowly warm up to you. They're always a bit shy with new people, but I noticed how quickly they pulled you into their games and started talking with you. At GalaMundi, Yadira and I believe in teaching language naturally. We switch between Spanish and English all day long. Some kids speak Spanish at home, others don't, but they all learn both languages here through play, songs, and daily routines. With our small group, we can focus on each child's needs. Instead of making everyone sit for lessons, we teach in small moments throughout the day. I'm glad you noticed this approach during your visit! Looking forward to having you back soon!
    March 16, 2025 at 11:10 pm - Reply
      mae_b
      That makes me so happy to hear, Elsa! I was definitely nervous on my first day. It has been so fun to see the way the students pick up knowledge throughout the day. See you again soon!
      March 19, 2025 at 2:14 pm - Reply

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