How to Teach Babies Spanish

Triplet Babies

You might be living in an English speaking country, but grew up in a country that spoke mostly Spanish. You might not be sure exactly how to teach your babies Spanish while everyone around them is using the English language. It is best to begin teaching your children Spanish when they are as young as possible. This is because babies are like sponges and have the ability to learn more than one language with ease.

Things You'll Need

• Teach Your Baby Spanish Audio CD
• Flash cards
• Body-Cuerpo Bilingual DVD
• First Picture Word Book in Spanish

Instructions

1. Speak only Spanish around your babies. They will still be able to learn English through everyone else in your area. In fact, if there are two parents in the home you should have one speak only in English to the child while the other parent speaks only Spanish.

2. Play the "Teach Your Baby Spanish" Audio CD (see Resources). You want to play this tape at least once per day. The audio CD teaches only basic words that your baby will be familiar with.

3. Make flash cards. Babies can't read so all you need to do is put pictures of your baby's favorite items on some note cards. Say each item in Spanish as you hold the card up. Spend about five minutes each day doing this until your baby gets older and has a longer attention span. You can always add new items as your baby masters the old ones.

4. Use the "Body-Cuerpo" Bilingual DVD once per day. This DVD allows children to see and hear their body parts, clothing items, and much more in Spanish. Since children are visual this is a great way to get them to learn Spanish.

5. Purchase the "First Picture Word Book" in Spanish (see Resources). This book works the same way as the flash cards do, but gives babies the ability to turn the pages themselves. They will be more interested in the book because of all of the colors. You can have your baby point to the object you say in Spanish before they can even speak the words.

6. Expose your baby to other children and adults who are speaking Spanish. You might want to visit a playground where Spanish speaking children play. This increases their natural exposure to the language.

Tips & Warnings

• Spanish activity books are also available that you can use with your babies when they are old enough to color.

References

• Teaching Babies a Foreign Language

Resources

• Teach Your Baby Spanish Audio CD
• Body-Cuerpo Bilingual DVD
• First Picture Word Book in Spanish