Is anyone teaching their kids Spanish?

Question

I think if I get my two and a half year old into a second language early she will progress very well and be fluent sooner rather than later and never have to worry about what Im going through. Does anyone have any tips? Know any good flash cards I could buy to help her?

Answer 1

I agree with Pescador. Speak to her in Spanish. I've heard of 2 methods like that:

• (1) One parent speaks to her in English while the other speaks in Spanish
• (2) Speak Spanish to the child at home and English anywhere else

Some other things you could do are:

• (1) Read with child (either use an English book but substitute certain words for the Spanish equivalent; or use a Spanish book); Point out certain things in the picture by their Spanish name
• (2) Have child watch Spanish or Spanish-teaching kiddie programs(ex. Dora, Little Pim, this, etc.)
• (3) Play games in Spanish like "Mother May I", "Simon Says", etc. Be creative
• (4) Sing kiddie songs in Spanish. It helps with pronunciation and vocab building. You can find some on Youtube (here, here, here, or in this list) or you can probably check-out some sing-alongs from your local library

Hope this helps!

I only watched Dora once but it was awful, just vocabulary. Vocabulary will always be easy to learn but this is the only time in her life when grammar will be a sinch! - rabbitwho, Sep 28, 2011

Dora la Exploradora, the version in Spanish. Not Dora the Explorer. - MLucie, Sep 28, 2011

Answer 2

I teach kids English and I have especially one set for very small kids, this is it, colours, which was created for me for very small children, she will love it

We also have sets with pictures with animals, fruit etc, have a look. Make a search on the flashcards.

animals

fruits and veggis

numbers up to twenty

food

This is good. I can use this for my nieces :) Thanks - Goldie_Miel, Sep 28, 2011

Answer 3

The best way is to get a Spanish speaking babysitter and ask that she only speak Spanish with her. Unless you have a high level of Spanish yourself in which case just pick one or two days a week in which you only speak Spanish. Or just do it every day, he'll learn English if he lives in an English speaking country no matter what language you speak to him.

Try to make sure that as many of his TV shows and stuff as possible are in Spanish, since she's only 2 she's not going to have that problem when she goes to school of the other children thinking it's strange he doesn't watch the same tv shows as them! ha ha

And don't be afraid of making mistakes yourself when you speak Spanish, because children reject any illogical grammar and formulate their own grammar based on the things that you got right.

That's how 2 parents learning sign language manage to raise their kids to be fluent in it, the kids end up knowing things the parents don't without ever being put in contact with sign language outside of contact with their parents. (Read Stephen Pinker's - The language instinct)

If you get flashcards make sure you say "Que es esto" for example and not "what's this" or it's a waste of time. Either speak Spanish or English, don't speak English with a few Spanish words thrown in or she'll never get it and her brain will think it's learning English.

You could also look at Au Pair programs, so many people take advantage of them and make them work as slaves cooking and cleaning the house for no money that if you gave the person a lot of free time and didn't ask them to cook or clean they'd love you - rabbitwho, Sep 28, 2011

I agree with the Spanish-speaking babysitter. I had a coworker who was a Spanish major. She said she had one and she learned a lot from her. Her comprehension and speaking abilities are really good and she says it's b/c of what she picked up as a child. - Goldie_Miel, Sep 28, 2011

Answer 4

I think you are absolutely right. Children have no fear of making mistakes. My nephew is a perfect example. He is half peruvian and his grandmother is his babysitter. He knows no difference between English and Spanish. It is absolutely amazing! i would consider myself a pretty advanced speaker, but my nephew teaches me things every time I see him. I would suggest talking to your daughter in Spanish all the time, and learning along with her. She will learn English naturally. It is funny, sometimes me and my family wonder how my nephew learns English when he is predominantly surrounded by Spanish speakers. Children just pick it up.

Answer 5

I know that there are books, cards out there for young ones learning spanish. I've seen them in the stores. I can't remember what the brand is. I'm sure if you do a Google search you can find something. Personally I think its great you're going to teach your kids a new language. Your and awesome parent. You also might want to browse some of the admins of this sight they are Spanish teachers themselves and I'm sure they could give you some good hints. I.e. Heidita Good luck!

Answer 6

One of the most important things a parent can do with their child is read to them.

If you read to them every day for 20 minutes you are setting your child up for a lifetime love of learning.

If you read to them in Spanish during that time, they will learn a love of Spanish. You can build your personal children's library of Spanish language books, but don't forget about your public library, which may have more than you think, too.

If you can find a weekly play date with a child that is being raised by native Spanish speaking parents, that can support the language, too. Children learn more from other children than they do from adults. This way, your child will learn games in Spanish and have a Spanish-speaking friend. An "intercambio" for kids!