13 Ways To Mix Social Spanish Into Your Child’s Daily Routine
If you’re looking for ways to improve your kids’ social Spanish, look no further!
The 13 strategies you’ll read in this article will have your playful child speaking Spanish in no time.
So, say adiós to boring language learning and welcome social Spanish to your daily routines!
Learning a second language brings numerous advantages for your kids, especially when starting at a young age.
Yes, kids learn fast!
Spanish, in particular, is a widely spoken language around the world and has become increasingly important for both professional and personal growth.
Kids grow up, and being bilingual or multilingual (why not?) provides a competitive advantage in the job market, broadens cultural horizons, and improves cognitive abilities.
And while they grow, learning Spanish even improves their behavior!
Kids learn languages differently from adults, and, at that stage, it’s essential to incorporate social Spanish into a child’s routine to help them achieve their learning goals.
Though there’s not just one definition, social Spanish refers to the language used in daily conversations and interactions. Think about greetings, asking for directions, or ordering food.
Mixing social Spanish into your child’s daily routine will naturally let them practice and apply the language in real-life situations.
They will easily become confident and fluent. Using social Spanish during the learning process is also fun and entertaining!
Kids love playing games, reading books, watching videos, and being involved in daily chores (at least until a certain age).
Mixing Spanish into these activities will develop a positive attitude toward the language and make them learn almost effortlessly.
So, get ready to explore 13 ways to incorporate small bits of Spanish into your daily schedule!
They’re all engaging, practical, and easy to implement almost immediately, regardless of your kid’s age or language level.
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13 Ways to Mix Social Spanish into Your Child’s Routine
Encourage social learning with the following strategies.
You will get resources, activities, and other actions you can apply after you finish reading this article.
1. Start with the Basics
Introduce your child to the most common Spanish words and phrases, such as hola (hello), adiós (goodbye), and gracias (thank you).
Continue with survival Spanish by teaching them how to count from one to ten and how to say their name in Spanish.
You can create flashcards with these basic Spanish words and expressions and practice daily with your kid.
Encourage them to say these phrases as often as possible in context throughout the day.
2. Watch Spanish-language Cartoons and Shows
Do you know that kids can learn Spanish with cartoons?
Yes, it is!
Netflix, Disney Plus, and other streaming platforms have a wide selection of Spanish-speaking cartoons and shows for kids.
You’ll easily find Dora la Exploradora, Elena de Avalor, Princesa Sofía, or Blaze y los Monster Machines.
If your kid knows these cartoons in English and can freely quote the dialogues, they will easily pick up new words and whole expressions in Spanish.
And they will love it!
3. Listen to Spanish Songs
Songs are also an excellent resource for incorporating social Spanish. Listening to songs improves vocabulary, pronunciation, and rhythm.
Little kids love to sing and dance, but even older kids or teenagers get easily engaged with music and rhythm.
Check out this article for 15 Super Popular Spanish Songs for Kindergarten
4. Play “I Spy” in Spanish
Everybody knows the game.
It saved millions of parents from growing crazy when traveling with small kids by car.
It’s a fun way to practice new vocabulary that is easy to learn for even small children, such as basic nouns of objects around us and colors.
Spanish-speaking parents call it Veo, veo (I see, I see), but the rules are the same.
5. Read Books in Spanish
Reading books in Spanish to your children will improve their vocabulary and comprehension skills. Choose books with colorful illustrations and simple, useful language.
If you don’t feel strong in Spanish, you can use epic! This app has a selection of Spanish-illustrated books that can be played as an audiobook with illustrations.
6. Go To Spanish Events
To expose your child to social Spanish, look for social events in your local community.
Cultural festivals and concerts will expose your child to both language and culture at the same time.
During the event, encourage your kid to engage with Spanish-speaking people, especially other kids.
7. Use Spanish Apps
How to use Spanish fast? Use apps!
Although this might sound suspiciously easy, apps are another great resource for incorporating social Spanish into kids’ routines.
You won’t have to force your child to grab a phone or iPad and play an entertaining game in Spanish.
Have a look at 16 Educational Spanish Apps for Kids in 2023 and 10 Fun, Safe, and Free Spanish Game Apps for Toddlers
8. Play “Simon Says” in Spanish
This is another classic game that you can play in Spanish.
All you need to do is use simple commands in Spanish, such as salta (jump), siéntate (sit down), toca tu cabeza (touch your head), and others.
9. Play with Spanish-Speaking Friends
Are there any Spanish-speaking kids in your neighborhood? Or in your kids’ school? I bet there are!
Arrange playdates with Spanish-speaking friends to practice their language skills in a real social setting.
If you look on social media, I’m sure that you can also find Spanish-language playgroups in your area.
Using the language with other kids will give your child special motivation and will prove the language useful.
10. Cook Spanish Dishes Together
You don’t have to be a chef to enjoy cooking and eating dishes from Spanish-speaking countries.
It’s a fun way to learn related vocabulary and practice giving and reading instructions.
If you use the Thermomix® TM6®, just add Mexico or Spain to the guided recipe filters, and you will get access to delicious recipes in Spanish from these countries.
11. Label Items Around the House in Spanish
This one is fun!
Create labels for household items such as la puerta (the door), la silla (the chair), el refri (the fridge), etc., and hang them all around.
Encourage your kids to read these labels and use them in context.
You can use this article as inspiration: The Most Extensive Guide Ever to House Vocabulary in Spanish
12. Sign Up Your Kid for a Spanish Class
If you’re not fluent in Spanish, signing up your child for a Spanish class can provide structured language learning and social interaction.
To find classes, check local community centers, language schools with classes for kids, and even online Spanish one on one classes.
Homeschool Spanish Academy, for example, has student-tailored Spanish programs, and parents voted us the “Best Overall Online Spanish Classes for Kids.”
You can sign up for a free trial class to see if the online environment suits your child and family’s situation.
13. Travel to Spanish Speaking Countries
And last but not least, plan your next vacation to a Spanish-speaking country!
A family trip to Mexico will provide a cultural immersion experience for your child, the opportunity to practice social Spanish skills, and a great tan for you!
Check your kid’s school calendar, and book your flight and hotel. Playa del Carmen and Cancun have plenty of attractions to enjoy with your family, and your kids will love them!
How to Be Effective In Your Routine?
Incorporating Spanish into your daily routine might sound like a lot, but believe me, the whole process will be fun and engaging.
Just remember:
- Start small
- Be consistent
- Make it fun!
- Celebrate progress
Introduce social Spanish gradually into your daily routine.
Be consistent, even if it means starting your day with a Spanish song or spending 10 minutes a day on an app. It will help your kid build regular habits and reinforce the learned vocabulary.
Make it fun! Integrating a new language doesn’t have to be boring.
Celebrate your child’s progress at all times. For example, praise them when they learn or use a new word correctly.
Incorporate Social Spanish into Your Kid’s Routine Right Away
Why not start today?
Try any of the above strategies to boost quick learning in Spanish.
All these fun and interactive activities will give your child an undeniable advantage in the future and allow you to spend fun, productive, and quality time together as a family.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
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