Find Programs to Learn Spanish for Kids

Increasingly, parents are interested in finding programs to help their children learn Spanish. There are many different reasons learning Spanish can be useful for a child. For example:

  • Learning a foreign language helps a child develop improved communication skills in his/her native tongue, since the focus on vocabulary and grammar translates well to any language.
  • Starting foreign language study at a young age makes it easier for a child to become truly bilingual.
  • Studying a second language helps a child develop an appreciation for other cultures.
  • Knowing a second language is a valuable skill in today's competitive job market.

Online Spanish Resources for Kids

The Internet is full of free online resources that make it easy for children to learn a foreign language. For example:

  • Little Explorers has a picture dictionary that kids can use to build their Spanish vocabulary. The site is easy to navigate and the colorful illustrations make for memorable visual aids.
  • ABC Teach has a collection of free printable worksheets for children learning Spanish. Topics covered include basic vocabulary, grammar, spelling, punctuation, reading comprehension, and Spanish culture.
  • Spanish Online has free interactive crossword puzzles and games for kids who want to practice their Spanish vocabulary.
  • Apples for the Teacher has a small assortment of interactive Spanish games for kids to learn the alphabet and numbers.
  • Kooker Kids has free online Spanish lessons for teaching numbers, colors, clothing, and animal names.
  • Visual Link Spanish Lessons offers six sample lessons from the Visual Link Spanish software series, with an option for parents to purchase additional lessons.
  • Spanish Unlimited provides jokes, recipes, pen pals, and links to other fun Spanish language resources.
  • The International Children's Digital Library offers a number of Spanish language books that you can read to your child online.
  • Mexico for Kids lets children practice their reading comprehension while learning more about the Mexican culture.

Find Programs to Learn Spanish for Kids

Although the Internet can be a marvelous educational tool for children interested in learning Spanish, there's truly no substitute for practicing conversational skills in a one-on-one environment. If you're lucky enough to live near a college or university, see if the Spanish department offers free workshops for children. Many schools provide these programs as a way to allow their students to earn college credit while performing a valuable community service.

Tips for Teaching Spanish

Regardless of which resources you use, the process of teaching Spanish to your child will be easier if you remember a few simple tips. For example:

  • Start early. Although the educational system in the United States typically reserves learning a second language for middle school and high school students, research shows that children as young as two years old can begin to learn a foreign language. The earlier you introduce your child to Spanish vocabulary, the more likely it is that he/she will develop true fluency in the language.
  • Teach useful phrases first. When teaching Spanish to a very young child, focus on vocabulary first. Although grammar skills are needed for true fluency, vocabulary provides a sense of immediate accomplishment. Focus your initial lessons on teaching colors, numbers, days of the week, and the names of objects your child is interested in.
  • Make it fun. Teaching a second language to your child should be an enjoyable experience. If you approach the learning process with a lighthearted attitude, your child will be excited to add to his/her Spanish vocabulary.
  • Don't criticize. All children make mistakes when learning their native language, so it's only natural that your child will make errors when learning Spanish. Focus on providing constructive suggestions for improvement and remember to praise your child for making an effort to learn.
  • Be patient. Learning a foreign language takes time. Don't expect to see immediate results. If you're patient, however, the basic Spanish vocabulary your child learns will lay the foundation for further language study.