Even if your kids are taking Spanish classes at school or are enrolled in private Spanish lessons, it’s still important to build vocabulary at other times as well — including when you’re at home.
Now, that might sound like a lot of work for both you and the kids. But this doesn’t mean that you have to sit around for hours drilling them on Spanish vocabulary words. Practicing Spanish at home can actually be a lot of fun! Here are three ways to teach your kids new words in Spanish while still enjoying your family time together.
1. Teach Through an Experience
Let’s say you plan to teach your child the Spanish word for cold: frío. Want the lesson to make a real impression? Give them a bag of frozen peas, an ice cube or any other chilly object when you introduce the word to them.
The more you can surprise kids when you’re teaching vocabulary, the more they will retain the Spanish words you want them to learn. So get creative!
Later, if they forget the word, you can remind them of the experience they had when you first taught it to them. So, for example, you could jog their memory about the word frío by saying, “Do you remember when you held an ice cube with your hands? How did that feel?”
2. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
Even if you devise an incredibly memorable experience to introduce a Spanish word, kids still need repetition to make sure they’ve really internalized it. It’s hard for any of us — especially children — to remember a new word if we’ve only heard it once.
Here are a few ways to bring Spanish words into your daily routines and conversations — without boring both of you to tears.
- Each night or every other night, read a new book that includes the word kids are currently learning. Children love stories, so reading together in Spanish is a fun and beautiful way of learning.
- Use the word in situations that arise during the day. For example, each time you take something out of the freezer, put it on your child’s skin and say “¡está frio!”
- Don’t just use the word; use it in a sentence. Kids need to understand the context in which to use words, not just the words themselves. One day you might get surprised when your kids start using the whole expression rather than just one word!
Give Your Child the Gift of Spanish!
3. Think Visually
Learning a language isn’t just about listening to it. It’s also about understanding the connection between what you’re hearing and what you’re observing. When your child was little, perhaps you described your actions while doing something like making their lunch: See, I’m putting the applesauce in your dish. Now let me pour your milk.
All the narrating you did helped them learn their first language. Luckily, this technique works just as well for acquiring a second language. See what happens when you tell them in Spanish about what you’re doing. (They might not even realize you’re sneaking in some Spanish practice!)
Another Fun Way to Learn Spanish
It’s great that your children are learning Spanish by talking and playing with you. But if you need more help and want them to keep working toward Spanish fluency in a fun way, we’re here for you!
At TruFluency Kids, we offer online Spanish immersion classes with teachers who are native Spanish speakers. The focus is on using Spanish during fun activities like singing, dancing, doing crafts, cooking, and playing games.
Take a 30-minute trial class now! After the class, you can join a parent Q & A to answer all your questions.
We can’t wait to help your kids become fluent, confident Spanish speakers!
