What’s the best way for kids to learn Haitian Creole?

Through the bustling city of Brooklyn New York, there lives a beautiful array of cultures from around the world. A Caribbean community is nestled in the heart of Flatbush. In that section, there is a large part of that that is representative of the Haitian diaspora. Generations of elders in this town have found ways to maintain and pass along the culture to the next generation so they can learn Haitian Creole. However, none can compare to the group Jaden Timoun. 

Jaden Timoun is the best program to learn Haitian Creole. They use innovation and culturally responsive Haitian Creole to immerse children into the program. Co-founded by Darnelle Champagne and Wynnie Lamour, Jaden Timoun represents an extension of their current professional endeavors. In a great effort to push the Haitian Diaspora forward, and bring the community together.

They recognized a void in the community for a Haitian Kreyol immersion program and sought to bridge that gap. As Wynnie Lamour eloquently described, Jaden Timoun is the “missing piece” in the educational landscape for Haitian Creole speakers within the community. As she explained, for some of us we may not be as connected to our heritage as we like to be, and even more our children may be more separate. However, this program provides the opportunity to connect and pass along our traditions and keep the culture alive and well for generations to come. 

This fall, Jaden Timoun started their in-person Sing-A-Long for little ones between 0 and 2 years old, and for preschoolers between 2 and 5 years old. Ever wondered “how can I learn Haitian creole for kids near me?” They have sessions every Saturday in Brooklyn, NY.

Tips to Learn Haitian Creole

1. Community: Jaden Timon plans to continue the program any way the community needs. They make a commitment to creating an authentic space where families can transcend into their roots and heritage. They include how to learn Haitian creole through music, play, dance, and literature. 
2. Everyone is welcome: During this immersive program, it is important to understand everyone is welcome. You do not have to be Haitian to have your children participate. During sessions, other cultures are welcome to experience everything the program offers. This space is also incredibly inclusive to all children including neurodivergent children as well. The founders have experience in early childhood education in multiple capacities, which allows them to cater to all needs. Jaden Timoun understands that children are concrete learners, meaning they learn through their senses. They are constantly finding ways to immerse children. Especially, through their senses. There is so much intersectionality in this space, it makes it wonderful to feel. 
3. Belonging: In an environment that once lacked substantial acceptance and immersive programs showcasing Haitian-American culture, individuals who may have felt marginalized can now experience a sense of trust and a cascading desire to learn and educate the next generation about the culture’s rich stories and music. Jaden Timoun illustrated the level of connection amongst all the families participating. In between sessions parents communicated and learned from one another and the instructors and admin. 
4. Intention in each activity and material: As soon as you walk into the space the admin welcomes you with Creole and is incredibly intentional about committing to speaking in Haitian Creole the entire time. There is also a great intention to incorporate senses throughout the program. Aligning certain music and sing-alongs with traditional and fun nursery rhymes typically heard in English. Everything The sign-along are specifically for the infants preschoolers. From the breakdown of emotions to the dance and the rich connection to the stories being read. Every part of the program was well put together and thought out. 

I can tell you firsthand that they will gather your children in a circle, where they immediately experience a sense of warmth and joy. It’s a refreshing approach to education that incorporates song, dance, and language learning. In this space, adults are students too, exploring Haitian-Kreyol vocabulary for bubbles and learning unique welcome and farewell songs. The familiarity of the clean-up song adds a sense of routine. Jaden Timoun has positioned itself as a welcoming community for families. While this program may not be available in your city or town currently, the co-founders have shared some valuable tips on how to cultivate and pass on these rich traditions within your own home:

Parent Tips for Immersing Your Children

1. Reading Consistently: Jaden Timoun believes in the power of reading playing a part in the immersion into the culture and language. Wynnie and Darnelle co-authored the children’s book Verite Sou Tanbou Nan Jaden Timoun, Rakontay Vedi, with an audio version that allows you to listen to the same Kreyol being read. Packaged literary opportunities like this provide the best consistent experience for the children. 
2. Exposure to All Different Things: As mentioned before it is important to enable children to use all their senses when learning anything new. Find different hands-on activities you and your family can work on together. At Jaden Timoun, they shared historical puzzles being sold that incorporated heroic individuals throughout Haitian history. 
3. Subscribe and Connect: Jaden Timoun has the resources and information on tools to create an immersive authentic experience for your family. Check their website for more information. 

Parents in the community have attended these sessions before and continue to come back, it’s a testament to the great work Jaden Timoun does within the community. Let’s continue to replicate that as we navigate this year and the coming years with the next generation.