Para leer en español, presiona aquí: Cuentacuento, actividad de lectura en español

By AnaMaria BechCarolina Pulido, a teacher in the Dual Language Program at Jefferson Parish Schools and a volunteer for the Jefferson Parish libraries, saw the need to bring Hispanic children closer to libraries through a storytelling program. “Every Saturday, we go to different libraries to offer this recreational service for children, reading stories in Spanish, and after the story, we do recreational activities,” says Carolina.

The teacher learned that many first-grade students had never experienced a library. From there came the idea of ​​creating an activity to take them to the library, for which she contacted Daniela Bello, the multicultural coordinator of the parish, who assisted with the visit and expressed interest in forming a reading program for children in Spanish.

The two leaders and mothers joined the project alongside Pulido’s husband, a Jefferson Parish teacher. They invite parents to come to the library and enjoy its educational treasures. “Come! Share with children and interact with libraries. Libraries have many activities that children can enjoy from Monday to Sunday when you want to come,” says Pulido.

Daniela Bello believes reading sessions are ideal for promoting culture and preserving the language. “We know that many children come from Latin American countries, and their first language is Spanish, so this is a way for them to adapt to this new place and speak their language. On the other hand, for children who were born here to Latino parents, whose first language is English, it is a way for them not to forget Spanish and to practice it,” says Bello.

The activity is free, and all children are welcome, regardless of their language. Follow VIVA NOLA on social media to find out the location of the next story time in Spanish.

By Juliana Bech

Have you ever heard of the different traditions of New Year’s Eve?      

People from all over the world celebrate this holiday and have different customs. Last year, most people did not gather due to Covid-19, but hopefully, families can celebrate New Year Eve this year.

You might celebrate by eating twelve grapes for good luck or throwing white flowers in the blue waters of the ocean. If you happen to eat the twelve grapes, did you know this tradition originated in Spain? Spaniards eat exactly twelve grapes at the stroke of dawn, hoping for the new year to be great and wishing to have a fresh start in the new year. This tradition started in the 1800s when vine growers thought of this custom to sell more grapes towards the end of the year.

If you celebrate by tossing white flowers into the ocean, that custom originated in Brazil. So don’t be surprised to find the sea littered with white flowers and blossoms if you travel to Brazil on this memorable holiday.

My family and I carry on the New Year tradition of eating twelve grapes. We usually gather at a family member’s house with things to drink and delicious foods to eat, such as potatoes, soup, meats, and much more. People tend to make New Year’s Eve resolutions to set their goals for the upcoming year. We count down to the second when the clock is about to hit twelve. Then, when it finally strikes twelve, we stand up and hug each other as a sign of love and wish everyone good luck as a renewed life cycle begins. We also have a champagne toast in celebration! Even small children stay up until twelve! It is a special occasion, so people dress up in fancy clothes, like dresses or a tie, and makeup. Some people light fireworks while others enjoy watching the display of lights and fire that signals the end of a year. Most big cities have marvelous firework displays to mark the beginning of the new year.

After the holiday passes, we all experience a bit of a lapse. It usually takes some time to get used to writing the new date since we get so used to writing 2021.

Make sure to get a fresh start for 2022.

We hope you accomplish your goals for the new year!

Por Juliana Bech

¿Alguna vez has oído hablar de las diferentes tradiciones de la víspera de Año Nuevo? Personas de todo el mundo celebran esta festividad y tienen diferentes costumbres. El año pasado, la mayoría de las personas no se reunieron debido al Covid-19, pero esperamos que las familias puedan celebrar la víspera de Año Nuevo este año.

   Se puede celebrar comiendo doce uvas para la buena suerte o arrojando flores blancas en las aguas azules del océano. Si comes las doce uvas, ¿sabías que esta tradición se originó en España? Los españoles comen exactamente doce uvas a la medianoche, para desear que el nuevo año sea grandioso y esperando tener un nuevo comienzo en el nuevo año. Esta tradición comenzó en el siglo XIX cuando los viticultores pensaron en esta costumbre para vender más uvas a finales de año.

Si celebras arrojando flores blancas al océano, esa costumbre se originó en Brasil. Así que no te sorprendas al encontrar el mar plagado de flores blancas si viajas a Brasil durante las celebraciones.

Mi familia y yo continuamos con la tradición de Año Nuevo de comer doce uvas. Por lo general, nos reunimos en la casa de un miembro de la familia con bebidas y comidas deliciosas, como papas, sopa y mucho más. La gente tiende a hacer resoluciones de Nochevieja para fijar sus metas para el próximo año. Contamos cada segundo cuando el reloj está a punto de dar las doce.

Luego, cuando finalmente dan las doce, nos ponemos de pie y nos abrazamos como señal de amor y para desear un buen comienzo para una nueva vida. ¡También celebramos un brindis con champán! ¡Incluso los niños pequeños se quedan despiertos hasta las doce! Es una ocasión especial, por lo que la gente se viste con ropa elegante y se maquilla. Suelen usar vestidos o los hombres se visten con corbata. Algunas personas encienden fuegos artificiales, mientras otros disfrutan al verlos como señal del fin del año. La mayoría de las grandes ciudades tienen maravillosos espectáculos de fuegos artificiales para marcar el comienzo del nuevo año.

Después de que pasan las vacaciones, todos experimentamos un pequeño lapso. Por lo general, lleva algún tiempo acostumbrarse a escribir la nueva fecha, ya que todos estamos acostumbrados a escribir 2021.

Asegúrese de comenzar de nuevo el 2022.

¡Esperamos que logre sus metas para el nuevo año!