CIS Voice | This trilingual family has found an ideal place for children to grow up
In this episode of CIS Voice, we speak with the parents of PK2 student Leonardo — a vibrant Chinese-Mexican family.
Miguel, originally from Mexico, is a successful businessman, while Yoyo, his wife, is a successful businesswoman, fitness expert and national as well as an international Pro fitness champion.
In this multilingual and multicultural family environment, how have they supported their child's growth? And what led them to choose CIS? Their story is warm and genuine, offering a deep reflection on education and the efforts made in the growth of their child.
Child Naturally Mastering Three Languages
As a Chinese Mexican family, Leonardo has been immersed in a multilingual environment since birth: Spanish, English, and Chinese.
Leonardo's father said “When I’m alone with him, I speak Spanish; when he’s with his mother or his grandmother, we speak Chinese; and when we’re together as a family, we speak English.”
This intentional distribution of languages has allowed Leonardo to naturally switch between the three languages in daily life, further solidifying his ability to express himself in the English-learning environment at CIS.
Rather than imposing strict language training, his parents used a more natural approach — guidance and situational learning — to help him gain confidence in each language.
Leonardo's father said, “We have found that this balance has allowed Leonardo to better understand and learn all three languages simultaneously.”
Why Choose CIS?
Leonardo's father said "We chose CIS because of the Alberta curriculum, which is a more hands-on approach."
Leonardo’s father shared that their eldest son had attended a Canadian school in Mexico, which reinforced his appreciation for the Alberta curriculum’s hands-on, interest-driven approach.
This teaching philosophy, centered around "learning by doing," helps children actively engage with the learning process.
When discussing the emotional changes when Leonardo first started school, his mother laughed and said: “Actually, the first week, it was dad who was the most anxious. The child thought school was new and fun; but by the second week, he started realizing that not seeing his parents made him feel uneasy.”
They quickly realized that the most important part of dealing with “separation anxiety” was effective communication between school and home and accepting the child’s emotions.
The teachers carefully recorded Leonardo’s behavior at school and communicated with the parents regularly, helping them continue emotional guidance and positive reinforcement at home.
Leonardo's mother said“We would bring small toys and snacks when picking him up. Sometimes, dad would even dress up as Captain America or Ultraman to greet him, which made him really happy.”
This thoughtful approach not only alleviated his anxiety but also strengthened his sense of belonging to the school and his anticipation for the next day.
Physical and Emotional Health: The Foundation of Growth
A dedicated athlete and champion, Leonardo’s mother has always prioritized physical and emotional well-being — even staying active throughout her pregnancy.
Leonardo's mother said“We have always focused on Leonardo’s physical abilities. He started regular swimming lessons at a young age and often goes skiing with his dad.”
She firmly believes that a child’s good physical and emotional health is the foundation for facing future challenges in life.
Leonardo's mother said "Being physically and emotionally healthy will help him better face all kinds of challenges in the future."
Not About Being the "Best Parents", But the Most Reliable Companions
Leonardo’s father admits that he doesn’t aim to be the “best father in the world,” but always reminds himself to be a good role model for his child.
Leonardo's father said "We focus on conveying the values of ‘respect, understanding, and responsibility.’"
Leonardo's father mentioned, "Understanding is important because children are learning new things, and we must have patience," while "responsibility" means that parents must take accountability for their child's behavior.
Leonardo's father said "Our approach has been to let them understand that there's time to play, time to obey."
This is the truest form of love and boundaries a family can give to a child, and it is precisely why Leonardo is able to grow happily and confidently in a multilingual, and diverse environment.
At CIS, every child's growth is supported by the presence of their family, the guidance of teachers, and the care of the community.
We sincerely thank Leonardo’s family for sharing their heartfelt journey. We look forward to welcoming more families who, like them, are discovering their own unique path in the CIS international community.
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