Have you ever asked yourself “Can I teach my child Spanish?” And by answer you have said no, because you think you don’t have the time or skillset to teach your child Spanish? Think again! With these helpful tips and tricks, you can teach your child Spanish—even if you have no background in the language yourself. This guide will teach you how to help your child learn a language, even if you don’t speak a word of it, or feel like you don’t have the time.

Why Are we Asking Ourselves “should I teach my child Spanish?”

As a parent, there are many reasons you might want to teach your child Spanish. Here are just a few: 

You have friends and family who speak Spanish 

You may have friends or family that speak Spanish and would like your children to communicate with them. It may even be the case that your background in Latin American or Spanish, but you never learned the language yourself. If this is the case, the you know how important a second language can be and what a great gift it is to give to your children.  

A Spanish-speaking friend or family member can provide valuable insight into their culture, allowing you and your family to learn valuable lessons about history and culture that you can never get from a textbook. Not only can they serve as inspiration, but they can serve as a valuable resource!  

You want to expose your child to a different culture

Being that it is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, the chances are that Spanish is all around you and that you are exposed to the various cultures that speak it. Many people choose to learn Spanish, because of their interest in these cultures! It can open up a whole new world to you, even if you never leave home! Learning a new language is a great way to introduce your child to new cultures, new people, and a new way of thinking. 

You Want to Open Up More Possibilities for Your Child 

There are many benefits that children gain when they speak two languages. A child that speaks two languages is more confident and better able to adapt to new situations than a child who only speaks one language. 

Bilingual people are known to earn higher salaries because they can speak two languages and thereby have access to more jobs. 

Bilingual children are able to have new experiences that monolingual children do not have. Because they can speak, read, and write in English and Spanish, they are able to learn more new things, and their awareness of the world around them becomes greater than those who cannot comprehend other languages. 

You Want to Take Advantage of Cognitive Benefits 

 Research has demonstrated the many benefits of being bilingual. Bilingual children are able to learn in their new language better than those who have learned a second language later in life.  Bilinguals have also been shown to have an increased attention span, are better able to switch between tasks, can better adjust to new environments, and have lesser chances of cognitive decline as they age. 

How can I Help My Child Learn Spanish? 

If you don’t speak Spanish yourself, it can be intimidating to try to teach your child the language. After all, how can you know whether or not your message is coming across as intended? Many parents assume that in order for their child to learn a language, the parent must also speak the language.  This is simply not true. There are many ways for you to help your child learn a new language, whether you have a background in the language or not. 

Use Quality Apps

Many apps are available that allow you to teach your child Spanish. Spanish Safari is a great example, because it is made specifically for 3 to 9 years old and helps them learn Spanish in a fun and Intuitive way.  It is a fun and intuitive app that allows your child to learn Spanish with ease. 

Sign Your Child Up For Spanish Classes 

If you don’t have the experience, knowledge, time or patience to teach your child Spanish, enrolling them in a Spanish course is very important. You can search for Spanish schools in your area or take advantage of online courses. Our friend Frances is an amazing Spanish instructor!  She also has a wonderful blog and many resources that can help you along the way. 

Have Your Child Talk to Friends and Family

Use of Skype, FaceTime, or any other tool you can use to have your children chat with a friend or family member that speaks Spanish. It may be a little awkward at first, but it’s a wonderful way for your kids to practice and to connect with your loved ones

Play Games

Playing games such as “Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?” or “Trouble with Tamales” can help your child learn Spanish. Here is a great list of games and free printable that you can use at home.  

Use YouTube

You may be able to use YouTube to find videos that can help your child learn Spanish and practice Spanish. Check out The Spanish Safari Show by Learn safari. It’s a great, free resource for young children!  

Use Online Resources and Worksheets

There are many online resources, books and worksheets that you can use. Spanish 4 Kiddos has great worksheets to use! Learn Safari also provides a free Workbook for anyone who tries Spanish Safari and completes the first lesson, and with a free trial, it’s definitely a win-win.  

Most parents do not know how to teach their child Spanish, and this can be a great problem. Learning Spanish can open doors for your child, as they will have the knowledge they need to communicate with more people than they could without learning the language. The language will help them get ahead in life and will not only help them to succeed but also make them happier. 

With these tips and tricks, you can finally say to yourself “Yes. I CAN teach my child Spanish.” The answer shouldn’t waver, even if you have no background in the language yourself. 

About the Author

 

Keli Garcia Allen is a certified Spanish teacher and currently works as a Preschool teacher in a bilingual classroom. She is the Head of Content for Learn Safari and is currently working on Spanish Safari,  a Spanish Learning game for children 3-9 years old. You can follow her and the rest of the team on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

 

The Spanish Safari App