Started a 20-minute merienda en español at 3:30 with my 4-year-old twins — picture cards and a cumbia playlist — and they’re now asking “más agua, por favor” without prompts. Are you seeing better carryover from short daily bursts vs full solo-language days, and what cultural add-ons (mini mercado, simple recetas) are you weaving in — Spanish, ASL, or your home language?
I’ve had better carryover with daily 15–20 min bursts: I do a mini mercado at the 3:30 ‘merienda en español’ with three labeled snacks and one pretend coin each, and they must ask “más agua, por favor” or “quiero galleta” to buy. Full Spanish days work for me only once a month as a novelty; do you rotate one new picture-card word per day or stick with a set through the week?
It sounds like your merienda en español is really engaging! I’ve found kids love role-playing in a mini mercado, too. Maybe try adding a simple recipe where they can help measure out ingredients — kind of like cooking ‘Spanish’ magic that you can eat afterwards?