How to Teach Spanish to Kindergarten Students

Many students today are starting to learn Spanish in kindergarten. Spanish is a fun subject to learn, but it is also a very important subject to learn, as the Latino population in the United States continues to grow on a daily basis. However, teaching Spanish in kindergarten is a little different than teaching other students, because kindergartners are still learning the basics of English. Here are some tips on what works and what doesn't.

Instructions

1. Teach Spanish through the use of songs. Kindergarten students remember songs very well. Teach them popular songs that they already know and substitute some or all of the words in Spanish. You will be surprised at how well they remember the new words in Spanish to the songs they already know well.

2. Use puppets and stuffed animals to help kindergartners learn words they already know in English. If they are learning the colors in their regular class, then use the puppet to teach them the colors in Spanish. Explain to them that boys and girls in Mexico and Spain use the same colors, but they say them differently. Students will love learning how to say things they already know in a different way.

3. Show videos such as "Dora the Explorer." They will pick up on Spanish words that she says and sings in her videos. "Sesame Street" also has some Spanish words and lessons periodically. However, do not use a video that is all in Spanish. That will only confuse the students.

4. Provide hands-on activites. Give them coloring sheets or activities that emphasize Spanish words. Young students learn more by doing hands-on activities.

5. Read stories and substitute popular words in Spanish throughout the story. For example, read "Goldie Locks and the Three Bears" and substitute "bears" for "osos."

Tips & Warnings

• Have fun teaching Spanish to kindergartners. Students can detect when a teacher is not happy or comfortable, and that will cause problems within a lesson, especially in Spanish.

Resources

• Kindergarten Spanish
• Kindergarten Spanish curriculum