5 Simple Steps to Teach Your Kids Spanish

Hey friend!

As a busy mom with young kids, I know how important it is to find ways to help our little ones learn and grow, even when life gets hectic. And I also know that many of us have the goal of teaching our kids a second language, but finding the time and resources can feel overwhelming.

But the good news is, it doesn't have to be! I've learned that teaching your child Spanish at home can be simple and fun, even with your already packed schedule. Here are my 5 simple steps to help get you started:

• Start Introducing Spanish as Early as Possible

 The earlier the better! I already know what you’re thinking and the answer is no, there is no such thing as too early when it comes to teaching kids a foreign language. In fact, the younger the child, the easier it is for their minds to absorb the new information and to retain it much easier than it would have been for an older child.

Of course I’ve heard many parents say “but won’t my kids get confused with the languages if we start teaching them as babies?” and the simple answer is no. 

Kids can learn several languages simultaneously and their brains are able to distinguish between the languages and separate them. So no more excuses, let’s get started! 

• Start with the Basic Vocabulary 

You know when you hear people say it’s as easy as one, two, three? Well it literally is! By this I mean start small with numbers, colors, shapes, greetings and work your way up from there. 

Now this is where you can really get creative and focus on what you and your kids like the most. Maybe it’s reading books together before bedtime, it could be listening to your favorite songs in the foreign language on our Spotify playlist, playing games by labeling household items or matching pictures to the words. 

There really is no limit to all the creative and entertaining options at your disposal. 

• Make it Super Fun + Engaging 

There is no reason why learning a foreign language should be complicated and boring. It can really be the best and most entertaining activity that your kids love to do with you when they are having fun! 

The easiest way is to make sure you incorporate activities or methods that your kids truly love to do, that keeps them engaged and entertained. If your baby girl loves to sing the Frozen soundtrack at the top of her lungs, see if you can find the soundtrack in the language you are learning. 

If your boys enjoy running around the house at top speed like they are at the peak of a sugar high, give them each a few labels for items around the house that they have already learned and make a race of it to see who can place all of their labels first. 

At the end of the day, learning a new language will feel like a trip to Disneyland for them. 

• Done For You Resources Are Your Best Friend

There are so many different kinds of resources at your disposal, you might have a hard time choosing just a few of them to help you on this teaching journey, but then again you don’t have to limit yourself, use as many as you like! 

That’s the best part about knowing that you’re not the first parent to try teaching your kids a foreign language. Countless others have come before you and have given us little golden nuggets of resources to use so we don’t have to struggle. 

You don’t have to go write a book yourself or go and make flashcards until your printer jams and spits out ink stains onto your favorite shirt.

There are thousands of incredible resources out in the marketplace for you to choose from like language books, interactive games, videos, activity sheets, songs etc. 

I’m also sharing my resources that I’ve created and collected with thousands of parents to make sure you have the best tools at your disposal.

• Build a Cheer Squad

Just remember, you don’t have to do it all by yourself. 

Getting a good support system in place will make the tasks at hand easier and maybe even free up some time for yourself. It could be that you have a friend with kids that speak the language that you are teaching, arrange a playdate where your kids can be immersed in the target language. 

Perhaps you can get a nanny that comes from a different country that can communicate with your kids in her language. 

There are also many in-person or online tutors that are native speakers of the language that can help when you might be feeling like you’ve hit a bump in the road. 

Never underestimate the value of a good support system, help is always available.

Now that you’ve applied all 5 steps, the only thing left to do is to get talking! 

The best way to improve your kids’ language skills, are by constantly using them, get them to speak and gain confidence in their skills. 

After that it will come naturally and feel like second nature! You want to put your kids in a position where they have to speak and once again, there are many ways you can go about this depending on what your kids like to do most. 

This could be singing along to your favorite songs in the target language on your Spotify playlist, joining social media groups that speak the language or simply watching an interactive cartoon or movie in the target language that will engage your kids to talk back or answer questions. 

Who knows, maybe you will even get the opportunity to visit the country where your chosen foreign language is spoken. Just remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. 

Results won’t be coming in buckets full overnight. It will take time and that’s OK, because you have a mountain of resources at your disposal and many friends in your support system that are always willing to help. 

Now that you are ready to get started on this exciting journey, download our free guide below to get started on your language learning adventure with your kiddos!

x
Shannon

✨ Psst... When you're ready, here are a few ways I can help you get started with teaching your kids a foreign language at home...

1. Download my free 10 Page Guide for Parents to help you see how easy introducing a foreign language at home can be - especially if you don't speak the language at all.

2. Want a plan to run consistent language lessons that are fun and easy?

Access your first week of play based foreign language lessons for FREE here, all that's left is to select your language + start today!

3. Looking for a 12 month, step-by-step plan and play based resources to help you introduce a language to your little ones with EASE? Quit scrolling on Pinterest and Join our 12 Month Annual Lesson Bundles to get everything you need to started and KEEP GOING!