Fairfield Mom's Business Offers Spanish Immersion Opportunity

FAIRFIELD, CT — While she initially embarked on a career in architecture and design, one Fairfield mom has found a new calling in introducing language skills.

La Casita de Rosina, an immersive Spanish play group, is now open for business at 952 Old Post Road, with an offer for free summer sessions to introduce it to the community.

“Exposure to a second language is great,” said Rosina Negron, a native of Puerto Rico who has lived with her family in Fairfield for 10 years.

As a parent, and a burgeoning educator, Negron understands the value of introducing children to a second language early on.

“In 2018, my desire to teach led me to becoming a substitute instructor in the Fairfield Public Schools system,” she said. “And in the Diocese of Bridgeport, mainly in kindergarten classes.”

While certain towns, like Westport, begin Spanish education in kindergarten, Negron — the parent of two middle schoolers — was surprised to learn Fairfield didn’t offer it until third grade.

“It used to be fourth grade, and it’s a little bit too late,” she said. “I do know that some of the preschools offer Spanish here and there, but once you’re out of those, you aren’t learning until third grade.”

Negron understands firsthand how valuable it is to be bilingual in the workplace. She was often the default interpreter on architecture and building projects.

“It’s one of the languages most often spoken in the world,” she said.

Negron’s philosophy is to make it as fun as possible for the age groups she intends to work with — groups of kids ages 3 to 5 and 4 to 6 — during her summer sessions, with an opportunity for kids up to age 8 to be involved in the fall.

“It’s going to be small-group,” she said. “No more than five, (and) I’ll be flexible enough to cater to each person.”

She’s bringing not only traditional stories in her immersion approach, but songs, games and activities that were unique to her own childhood growing up in Puerto Rico. Consequently, she said, she hopes to give kids an early educational experience that doesn’t feel at all like dry classroom learning.

Negron is also pleased to offer a quasi-outdoor setting at her house, which is close to the downtown and library.

“With the whole pandemic, everyone was looking to be outdoors,” she said, which makes her home arrangement a great place. “This will give the opportunity to learn and be outdoors at the same time.”

Over the past several months, Negron has reached out to various organizations to help her get her new business up and running, including Fairfield's Office of Community and Economic Development. They’ve helped guide her in the process.

So convinced is Negron of the value of her business, she is offering parents a free introduction session. Kids can get a taste of what Spanish immersion feels like, and parents are invited to observe.

For more information, visit www.LaCasitadeRosina.com.