If you are mom looking for online classes or even just thinking about the possibility, chances are that you have had this thought: “Can my 5-year-old really sit in front of a computer and learn Spanish?”
Because if we are being honest, it does sound a little… impossible, right? Kids have the attention span of a puppy at the park. They wiggle, they giggle, they stand on their head when you just want them to sit still. So how on earth do online Spanish classes actually work for them?
Well, the answer for that is simple: it does work. And pretty well, actually. But there are a few things you should know first.
Note from our founder: I tried online Japanese classes with my daughter when she was 3. It was Harrrrrrrd. But we stuck with it. I sat with her the entire class and did all the games and activities with her and the teacher – repeating whatever the teacher said. She has recently (almost 4 years old) been taking the class on her own, with me only coming in a few times to give her paper or colors. She is a VERY active child. I think she will be completely on her own within the next 6 months, which is around 4.5 years old, maybe sooner. But only you know your child. So try a class, see if it works, and if it doesn’t, come back to us in 6 months.
1. It’s Not Like Zoom School
Most adults when we think about online classes, you might picture a mini version of your latest zoom meeting you had for work, or you might imagine the nightmare of online school during COVID. Your child glued to a screen while someone drones on for 45 minutes over something that could have easily been an email. But no. That is not the case here.
Spanish classes at TruFluency Kids aren’t about staring at a screen; they are about interacting with the teacher and the other kids. Kids don’t just sit and listen: they talk, sing, dance, and play games (all in Spanish!).
Think of it as a storytime in your local library. There is a storybook, sure, but there is also movement, questions, silly voices, and kids giggling along the way. Not to mention we’re constantly asking the kids to tell us what they think or want to do or want to eat: kids love talking about themselves! TruFluency Kids online Spanish classes are like that, except in another language.
2. Engagement Is the Secret Sauce
“My kid is a little tornado, he cannot sit still!” Don’t worry! That is actually normal and expected and if truth be told, kinda what we are aiming for.
All our teachers are not just Spanish native speakers but they are also professional teachers and they all go through our very own training of the Bellieu Method which keeps kids engaged by:
- Movement-based games for 4-6: Kids might be asked to jump, point, clap, or run to grab something from their room.
- Songs and rhymes (age appropriate): Singing is a memory hack and kids absorb vocabulary without even realizing it.
- Stories: Younger kids especially love stories where they get to act out parts or answer silly questions. Older kids love
- Games for older kids: We keep all our kids excited and wanting to find out more and incorporate games into all their lessons.
So instead of being passive screen time, our online classes are active screen time.
3. What About Attention Span?
We get this one a lot. Do kids actually pay attention?
Here’s the truth: kids pay attention when something is made for them. A 4-year-old probably won’t sit through a dry grammar lecture (honestly, neither would I). But give them a story about a silly cow who only eats ice cream? They’re hooked.
That’s why TFK’s online Spanish curriculum is designed around kids’ natural attention span.
*you know your child. The best way to know if they can sit through a class, is to try a few. If it doesn’t work, try again in 6 months.
4. Don’t Judge from One Class
While our classes are all amazing, you can’t really make a decision from just attending one.
Your child needs time to warm up, feel comfortable, and bond with the teacher. It’s like making a new friend: you don’t share your secrets on the first playdate. Give it at least 2–4 classes before deciding if it is a good fit or not.
5. Parent Pro Tip: Step Out of the Room
I know, I know. You want to hover and make sure everything goes smoothly. But kids actually get nervous if mom or dad is sitting right there. And it also hinders them from staying in Spanish.
Set them up, make sure the link works, give them a hug, and then step out. You’ll see a whole different side of your kid when they know it’s just them and their teacher.
6. What Do Kids Actually Do?
Here’s what our online classes might look like in action:
- Warm-up: A song or hello routine (kids love predictability).
- Main activity: Conversation and small lessons that tie into our story of the month.
- Story of the month: We will read together a new chapter of the story we’ll be working with. Listen to the official song and sing along with it.
- Wrap-up: Review vocabulary and end with a goodbye song.
The teacher keeps it fast-paced, interactive, and fun.
7. Building a Bond With the Teacher
The best online classes work because kids feel connected to their teacher. Once that bond is there, magic happens. Your child wants to show off, talk, and play, all in Spanish.
It’s just like in-person classes, but with the bonus that you don’t have to drive anywhere, pack snacks, or sit in the carpool line. You can actually relax with a cup of coffee while we do all the work.
Here’s the thing: only you know your child best. Online Spanish classes aren’t one-size-fits-all, but they’re worth trying.
Start with a trial, give it a few sessions, step back, and watch your child surprise you. You might just find that those classes a week turn into something bigger: confidence, curiosity, and a love of language.
And trust me, hearing your kid randomly belt out a Spanish song at the dinner table? Priceless.
