I am going to be in Peru for the next few weeks and will not be posting as often on Spanish Playground. This seems like a good time to share some tips for finding for authentic language materials online. These suggestions are for Google searches, but you can apply them to other search engines as well. I know that many of you have more strategies for finding what you need – be sure to sure to share your tips in comments!

1. Use Spanish words in your search. Pay attention to Google’s suggestions as you type. They are based on the most commonly searched phrases and you may see terms that will help you narrow your search.

2. Search Images if you are not sure of your terms. In general, this a helpful strategy for resolving dudas, especially if you compare terms. You know how you use a word, but with an image search you can quickly get an idea of how the word is used to tag photos (the image search results for gorra and gorro for example). This works for abstract words too, because the results will show book titles or photographs that will let you know if you are on the right track.

3. Include general education vocabulary in Spanish in your searches. Add adjectives like infantil, didáctico and lúdico. General nouns like lectoescritura and dínamica are also useful. The word cloud above has some common terms you may want to try.

4. Do an Images search if you are looking for material to print. This is often much faster than searching individual sites. Just add para imprimir to your search terms and click Images. For example, you can scan the results of an image search for juegos didácticos para imprimir fairly quickly.

5. Search blogs. There are lots of teachers and parents all over the world with great blogs. In the tool bar beside the search box, you will find the More option. The drop down menu gives you the option to search only blogs.

6. Check the sidebars of blogs. Even if a site does not have a formal blogroll (the newest versions of WordPress do not even include one), many people link to friends, colleagues, and associations on their sidebars.

7. Use a Google domain restriction to return results from a specific country. To do this, use the site operator followed by the domain. For example to find children’s songs from Mexico, search canciones infantiles site:mx  To find coloring pages from Spain, search dibujos para colorear site:es

8. Use operators to make your search more effective. Place words in quotes to return results with the exact phrase and use ~ in front of a term to include related terms. Use + in front of a term to include it and – (a minus sign) to exclude it. Use * to fill in a blank where * is the word you are missing. You can use the advanced search for any of these filters, but the operators are faster.

9. Clear your browsing data (cookies) if you are doing related searches and getting the same results. In an effort to be helpful, Google gives priority to pages you have clicked on before.

10. When you find what you need, always check the copyright information. Many teachers make and share materials, but there are also websites where entire books have been scanned, blatantly violating intellectual property laws.

Happy searching!

You may also be interested in this post: Online Spanish Audio – 8 Free Websites to Keep Kids Listening to Spanish This Summer

Stress Free Kids publishes audio and picture books that help children reduce stress and lower anxiety. These stories are available in Spanish and are fabulous language-learning tools. The stories teach relaxation techniques, but their structure and objective also create an excellent Spanish learning experience. As children listen to these stories, they relax, but they are never passive. Children participate, both physically and by actively using their imaginations.

The CD Sueños del océano índigo has four stories that are also available as picture books. The books provide the visual support Spanish learners need to be able to enjoy and learn from the wonderful audio. The audio CD and the books are available on the Stress Free Kids website, Amazon and iTunes. You can find activity suggestions for each story in the second half of this post.

Outstanding Features For Language Learners

- Vocabulary and Sentence Structure
These stories establish a setting and a context. All of the words relate directly to that setting and the stories are told in simple sentences. For native speakers, this allows them to easily create mental images. For language learners, it helps them master the Spanish vocabulary as they create those images.

- Patterns
These are pattern stories. Each one has an internal structure that is repeated. Classic children’s stories such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears are also pattern stories. Repetition and predictability increase comprehension as children are exposed to the same words and sentence structures again and again.

The stories from Sueños del océano índigo, use patterns and repetition extensively and effectively. For native speakers, the repetition and predictability pulls children into the rhythm of the story and relaxes them. For Spanish learners, it gives them the opportunity to listen, comprehend, absorb and anticipate.

- Narration
The clarity, rate of speech and rhythm of the audio make the stories particularly appropriate for Spanish-language learners. For native speakers, the goal is that children catch every word without straining or guessing, that listening be effortless. This ensures that children learning the language will hear the words clearly and have time to absorb them. It is important to note that the rhythm of the narration is never monotonous or boring. The expression and quality of voice keeps listeners engaged.

- Physical Component
The stories engage children physically by having them contract and relax parts of the body, breathe in and out, and imagine different sensations. This awareness is part of the stories, so that children experience the language and the physical responses in context.

- Visualization
The stories use images from the book, children’s own mental pictures and sound effects to engage their imaginations. These images and sounds combine to reinforce the meaning of Spanish words.

- Positive Associations
Listening to these stories is relaxing and calming. They teach positive messages, instilling happiness and confidence. These are wonderful associations for children to have with Spanish.

- Instruction in Relaxation
A relaxed, clear mind lets children absorb the sound and experience the language at a deep level. As the story progresses, they are more relaxed and also more familiar with the pattern and vocabulary. As their comprehension increases, their open minds are ready to internalize the language, creating a powerful learning experience.

- Convenience for Parents and Teachers
Although many parents and teachers intend on fitting more Spanish into the day, it is not easy to do. These stories can be incorporated into a bedtime routine or transitions without having to set aside extra time. Once the stories are familiar, they actually make routines easier.

Using the Stories with Spanish Language Learners

Picture Book and Audio Combination
Either the picture book or the audio of these stories can create an excellent language learning experience. However, parents and teachers will find using the two together is most effective and much less work for them. With the pictures, children understand and learn new vocabulary. With the audio, they listen to beautiful Spanish narration carefully designed to support the content of the stories and learning.

Start with the book alone or by following along as you listen to the story. Use simple sentences to paraphrase the first pages that establish the setting and problem. Point to the pictures to help children understand. Pause and together follow the instructions in the narration. Later, when you are sure children understand the key words, listen to the audio without the book. Come back to the book on a regular basis to reinforce meaning and let the illustrations support the listening experience. The four books and audio CD are available in a special package on the Stress Free Kids website.

Cross-curricular lessons
Spanish stories from Stress Free Kids are excellent material for cross-curricular lessons with health, the environment, ocean life, art and other areas.

Pre-reading and Extension Activities for Home or Classroom

The stories lend themselves to engaging pre-reading and pre-listening activities at home or at school. Doing these activates prior knowledge and teaches key vocabulary. The activities can also be done after reading the story to reinforce the language and build on the content.

El pulpo enojado – Vocabulary related to sea life, body parts, feelings
- Talk about photographs of octopi and lobster. Use the words el mar, el pulpo, la tinta, and la langosta.
- Review body parts by singing songs or playing Simón Dice. Draw and label pictures. Be sure to introduce new body part vocabulary. These are the words for body parts in the story: la cara, los ojos, el cuerpo, los músculos, el estómago, la nariz, la boca, los pies, los dedos de pie, las piernas, las caderas, el vientre, la espalda, el pecho, el cuello, los hombros, los brazos, las manos, los dedos, la mandíbula, los labios, la piel, la frente, la cabeza.
- Identify photographs of emotions used in the story: enojado, tranquilo, quieto, etc.
Have children share what makes them feel angry or calm. Have children illustrate and label the emotions.
- Make a jardín de conchas y piedras like the one the octopus has. If possible, use shells, stones, sand and water. Use the vocabulary as much as possible as you make the garden. Children can also draw their gardens and add pictures or stickers of shells.

Montando burbujas – Vocabulary related to sea life, body parts, colors, feelings
- Blow bubbles. Use the words burbuja and flotar. Seeing bubbles and hearing the words will help children visualize the story.
- Knot together colored scarves or scraps of material in the order the colors appear in the story. As children listen, they hold the color. These are the colors in the story: rojo, naranja, amarillo, verde, azul, morado, blanco
- Identify photographs of emotions used in the story: cansado, tenso, quieto, tranquilo
Have children share what makes them feel different ways. They can illustrate and label the emotions.
- Play with food coloring in water. Watch how it disperses. Use the color words, fluir, corriente and vaciar as you pour and move the water.

Caleta de la nutria marina – Vocabulary related to sea life, geography, body parts
- Talk about photographs and videos of sea otters
- Talk about breathing. Use the words el vientre, la nariz, respirar, adentro, afuera
- Illustrate the setting of the story as a follow-up activity. Label la caleta, las rocas, la gaviota, las nutrias marinas, etc. Older children can create a diorama.
- With older children make origami sea otters. Do other sea otter crafts with younger children.

Tejedor de afirmaciones – Vocabulary related to sea life, positive self-esteem
- Talk about photographs and videos of dolphins jumping
- Talk about photographs of the sea life in the story: el delfín, el pez globo, la estrella de mar, la medusa, el caracol, la langosta, el caballito de mar, la almeja, el pez ángel, el cangrejo ermitaño, la platija
- Read the story as a readers theater or with puppets of the sea animals made with pictures and craft sticks. The story is excellent for this activity because each sea creature has a line. One child can present several affirmations.
- Give children pictures of the animals to order as they listen.
- Kids can draw and label the sea life in the story or label pictures you provide. Put the affirmations for each in dialog bubbles.
- Identify photographs of emotions used in the story: triste, desanimado, feliz etc. Have children share what makes them feel different ways. Children can illustrate and label the emotions.
- This story encourages Spanish language production. It specifically asks children to repeat the affirmations. Encourage them to do so as they listen to the story.
- Remind kids of one or two affirmations to use when they are playing. Suggest different affirmations on different days. Model using the affirmations as you interact with the children.
- The affirmations in the story are short sentences like these:
A mí me gusta como soy.
Yo creo en mí misma.
Yo soy feliz.
Puedo hacerlo.
Yo soy creativo.
Yo sí puedo.

The stories on Sueños del océano índigo provide a unique opportunity for children learning Spanish. The combination of audio, illustrations, and physical awareness, all in the context of a story, creates a rich learning experience. These materials are intended to teach relaxation techniques, but their design compliments language learning in every way. If you want to add more Spanish to your home or classroom, Sueños del océano índigo may well be the answer.

This online game is a good way to practice Spanish color words. It is from Spanishspanish and players hear and see a sequence and then repeat it by clicking on the correct colors. The sequence gets longer if the player does it correctly.

The photo that players click on is of toenails painted different colors. It is cute, something different, and makes little Spanish learners smile. The audio is very clear and the timing in the game is good. The colors are not repeated too quickly.

Although the game is probably more fun to play if you teach or review the colors first, kids could learn the color words as they play. There is a visual clue to go with the audio; the toenail is circled and the word appears. Because you do the entire sequence each time, there is lots of repetition and kids will associate the color with the sound they hear.

The color anarajando looks a little yellow on my screen. You will want to clarify with kids what the colors are by comparing them to colors around you. Also, the game instructions are in English text on the screen: “wait”, “now it’s your turn”, and “go.” If you are playing with a child, say the instructions in Spanish. You can use espera, te toca, and ya.

This online game uses the colors rojo, azul, verde, gris, rosa, blanco, anaranjado, negro, morado, and amarillo.

Link to Online Spanish Color Game

Color Sequence Game from Spanishspanish

You may also be interested in this post: Spanish Game for Kids – Paper Cups for Hiding

I write about lots of traditional playground games, hand-clapping games and jump rope rhymes that children play in Spanish. Recently Summer Nanny featured one of my articles in list of 20 blogs with playground games.  A few of the games mentioned in the list lend themselves particularly well to language learning and I wanted to share five of them here. Check out Summer Nanny for more outside activities – everything from classic games to ways to have fun outside with your toddler. You can probably adapt more of the games to include Spanish.

1. You’re Only Safe If
This version of tag includes lots of language. The person who is “it” says Solo estás a salvo en…(You are only safe…) and calls out an object. Then “It” tries to tag as many players as possible before they reach whatever was mentioned where they are safe. Whoever is tagged also becomes “it”. You can play this game with Spanish color words, vocabulary from the yard or playground, or with objects that you have put out just for the game. You can read a good description of  You’re Only Safe If here.

2. Foam Letter Hunt
This game is based on hiding foam letters around the yard and it would be a fun way to play with Spanish letter names and sounds. The author included reading an alphabet book as part of the activity. Read the complete description of Foam Letter Hunt here.

3. Picture This
To play this game, you take photos of objects in the yard and put them in a box. Kids draw a picture and run to that object. You can read the complete directions for Picture This here. To add Spanish to the game, make sure that when a child draws a picture they say what it is (the most natural thing to do) and that they also shout the word again when they touch the object. You can increase the options for vocabulary by putting toys and household items around the yard before you take the pictures.

4. Polo
This is a traditional British playground game and a great way to include Spanish in a fun physical activity. To play, one player is “It” and stands on one side of the yard, away from the rest of the players on the other side. “It” shouts out a category, for example, colores, animales, frutas or deportes. All the players quietly choose something in the category and one of them shouts the words back. “It” chooses one of those words and calls it back. The person whose word was chosen races to the other side of the yard and back again. “It” also races to the other side of the yard and back (they will cross paths in about the middle). Whoever gets back in place first, calls out “Polo” and is “It.” You can read the description of the playground game Polo here on Netmums Blog.

5.Red Letter
This is another traditional British playground game and a fun way to practice letters in Spanish. One player is “It” and stands at a distance from the others. She chooses a red letter – a letter that means she will chase the others when she says it – and tells the others. Then “It” calls out a letter and the players take one step toward her for each time that letter occurs in their name. The first player to reach “It” becomes “It” the next time. If “It” calls out the red letter everyone runs back to the start. If “It” catches a player before they get back to start, that player becomes “It”. Red Letter is also mentioned on Netmums Blog.

Thanks so much to Summer Nanny for a great list of blogs and games. Be sure to check out more of their recommendations!

You may also be interested in this post: How to Play Tag in Spanish

Children like making a gift to give to their mothers for El Día de la Madre, but whether you are in class or at home, it is hard to find time for projects. These printable bracelets can be used in different ways, and they make a cute, easy gift in Spanish. The words la pulsera and el brazalete are both used for bracelet in Spanish.

There are four designs that can be printed on plain card stock or design paper, as in the photo. Two of the bracelets are meant to be colored. If you print on plain paper, kids can decorate the outside of the pulsera with their artwork, stickers or stick-on jewels. The printed words can go inside as a secret message to Mom.

However you choose to make these, they are super simple. Just print, cut out, overlap the ends and punch holes. Then, tie the bracelet with pretty ribbon or yarn.

The words can go on the inside or the outside. The bracelets say:

Te quiero con todo mi corazón.
!Sonríele a la vida! Te quiero, Mamá.
¡Feliz día, Mamá! Te quiero mucho.
Mamá, eres la mejor. Te quiero mucho.

Link to Printable Bracelets in Spanish for Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day Gift – Spanish Language Bracelet

You may also be interested in this post: Spanish Mother’s Day Song and Printable – Yo Solito Mamá

This song and music video have a wonderful message for Mamá on Mother’s Day. The song is upbeat and fun and you will love Mariana Iranzi! Mariana is originally from Argentina. An accomplished professional musician, she also composes and performs Spanish songs for children. Her personality comes shining through in this video; it is sure to have both kids and adults singing along with smiles on their faces.

Looking at language, this song works well with children learning Spanish. It teaches the most natural thing to say to Mom on Mother’s Day – ¡Feliz Día, Mamá! Also, it has lots of verbs that children use to describe daily activities such as compartir, jugar, reír, leer, llorar, abrazar, pasear, dibujar.  Mostly, the song is engaging, quality music that children, parents and teachers will love.

Many thanks to Mariana for permission to embed the YouTube video here and share the lyrics to her song on Spanish Playground. The lyrics are below the video.

Mother’s Day – ¡Felíz día Mamá!
©Mariana Iranzi

Siempre estás conmigo para compartir
Vamos a la plaza, me llevas al jardín.
Jugamos, nos reímos, siempre estás aquí
Para leerme un cuento antes de ir a dormir.

Felíz día mamá, tenemos que festejar!
Happy Mother’s Day! We have to celebrate this day.

Siempre estás conmigo para cuidarme bien.
Me abrazas cuando lloro, cuando no me siento bien.
Me enseñas, me proteges, siempre estás aquí
Para hacer que mi día sea el más felíz.

Felíz día Mamá, tenemos que festejar!
Happy Mother’s Day! We have to celebrate this day.

Mommy, I love you so much.
Thank you for working so hard for me.

Mommy, I love you so much.
Thank you for being there for me.

Siempre estás conmigo para compartir
paseamos, dibujamos, nos sabemos divertir.
Jugamos, nos reímos, siempre estás aquí
Para leerme un cuento antes de ir a dormir.

Siempre estás conmigo para cuidarme bien
Me bañas, me cocinas cosas ricas también.
Me enseñas, me proteges, siempre estás aquí
Para hacer que mi vida sea muy felíz.

Felíz día Mamá, tenemos que festejar!
Happy Mother’s Day! We have to celebrate!
Felíz día Mamá, tenemos que festejar!

Happy Mother’s Day! We have to celebrate this day!
We have to celebrate this day
We have to celebrate this day.

You can learn more about Mariana Iranzi on her website. Also, she is going to be featured on @Ton y Son on Saturday, May 11th at 10:30 am (central). This radio program of children’s music is broadcast on the Mexican internet radio station Codigo DF. If you cannot listen on Saturday morning, you can visit the site later to hear Mariana and her wonderful songs.

Also, be sure to check back here on Spanish Playground for more of Mariana Iranzi’s music. In the days to come, I will be writing about using her songs with children learning Spanish and giving away several of her CDs.

You may also be interested in this post: Spanish Mother’s Day Cards – Printables to Celebrate El Día de la Madre

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to the winners, entries 11 and 18, Melissa and Katie. Winners were chosen using random.org. Thank you to everyone who entered and shared how they teach culture. It is fun and inspiring to read about what others are doing with their children and classes. We all learn from each other. ¡Muchas gracias!

Award-winning author Carole Roman has written a lovely picture book to introduce young children to the country and culture of Mexico. If You Were Me and Lived in… Mexico: A Child’s Introduction to Cultures Around the World is intended for ages pre-K through eight. The author has generously provided me with two copies of her book to give away to Spanish Playground readers.

I recently wrote about the book in this post: Picture Book Introduces Children to Mexico

To enter the giveaway:

In the comments, mention one way you share culture, from any Spanish-speaking country including the U.S., with your kids or students. Be sure to leave a valid email address (this will not be published) so that I can contact you if you win. The giveaway will run through midnight (central), Sunday, May 12th, 2013.  The two winners will be chosen using random.org and I will announce them on Monday, May 13th.

Read the Official Giveaway Rules.

¡Buena suerte!

You may also be interested in this post: Spanish Books for Children – Eric and Julieta Series by Isabel Muñoz

The last ebook I made, La primavera llegó, was a big hit with my students, so I thought I would share these two stories in Spanish, too. Like the last book, these were made using the beautiful art on Storybird.

In this post about Storybird in 2011, I talked about some ways to use the website with Spanish language learners. You can share the stories you write by emailing or embedding them. However, stories in Spanish will not be a part of the public library on the Storybird website. The public stories are moderated and there are only enough moderators for English. You will have to share the url with people you want to read your stories.

Click on the viewers below to read ebooks.

The first, Un día de lluvia, is about things friends do together on rainy days. The structure uses the verbs in the infinitive: Un día de lluvia es para estar con amigos y hablar y caminar. The vocabulary is familiar and the text corresponds closely to the illustrations.

The second story is titled Mi casa está muy sola. The structures and vocabulary are a little more advanced than the language in the first story, but there is lots of repetition and the illustrations support the text.

The embedded viewer below is small, so be sure to use the full-screen option by clicking the circle with arrows in the corner. You will see it when you hover your mouse over the covers. You can also read the stories on the Storybird site:
Un día de lluvia
Mi casa está muy sola

These questions in Spanish are useful for all kinds of activities, including board games, classroom games or just asking each other for fun. Children learn many of these words and structures in elementary school. They also are familiar with the content. Of course, what kids understand will depend on their level and age. You can always reword the questions to make them easier for your students or children to understand.

Una preguntita is a continually growing collection of questions that encourage kids to draw on information they know to understand Spanish. Although some words in the questions will be new, kids use their prior knowledge as context to understand and answer. You can find a more complete explanation of using knowledge as context here, along with suggestions for using the questions. The category Spanish Questions for Kids has additional question sets. Be sure to check back for more as the collection grows.

These questions are intended to be asked orally and some depend on kids listening but not seeing the question. You can also select questions for kids to read.

A few suggestions
- Begin with easy questions to give kids the opportunity to get used to the wording of the questions.
- Let children work in pairs or small groups. This expands their knowledge base. They also learn from observing different comprehension strategies.
- If a child or class does not understand a question orally, show them the written question. Often seeing sentence structure and cognates will help children make connections.
- Depending on your situation, if you are playing a game you may want to give credit or partial credit for understanding the question. This could mean accepting a partial answer or letting them answer in English.

Spanish Questions for Kids

Una preguntita – Set 5
The answers follow the questions.

1. Una isla es una porción de tierra rodeada de….
2. ¿Qué figura geométrica tiene tres lados?
3. Lo contrario de alegre es…
4. ¿Qué mes está entre abril y junio?
5. ¿Cuál es el tercer mes del año?
6. ¿En qué continente está Francia?
7. ¿Cuál es la única consonante de la palabra aire?
8. ¿Cómo se llama el médico de los animales?
9. ¿Qué animal produce la miel?
10. ¿Qué letra del abecedario sigue a la S?
11. El órgano del sentido del olfato es la nariz. ¿Cuál es el órgano del sentido de la vista?
12. En el salón de clase había 24 niños y luego llegaron 8 más. ¿Cuántos hay?
13. Corto es a largo como limpio es a…
14. Si se mezclan los colores azul y amarillo, ¿qué color resulta?
15. ¿Qué color resulta si mezclas rojo con blanco?
16. ¿Cuál de los siguientes números es el menor? 67, 18, 39
17. Voy a decir cuatro números. Ponlos en order. 7, 11, 6, 17
18. ¿Cuánto es media docena?
19. Además de abril, ¿qué mes empieza con a?
20. ¿Qué número está entre 19 y 21?

Respuestas:

1. agua
2. el triángulo
3. triste
4. mayo
5. marzo
6. En Europa
7. la r
8. veterinario
9. la abeja
10. la T
11. el ojo
12. 32
13. sucio
14. el verde
15. rosa
16. 18
17. 6, 7, 11, 17
18. 6
19. agosto
20. 20

Award-winning author Carole Roman has written a lovely picture book to introduce young children to the country and culture of Mexico. If You Were mM and Lived in… Mexico: A Child’s Introduction to Cultures Around the World is intended for ages pre-K through eight. It combines carefully selected information with images crafted to be typical, but never stereotypical. The book is available from Amazon and on the author’s website.

In my experience, it is hard to find books about countries and cultures that are appropriate for this age group. Many are filled with stereotypes. Others, partly in an attempt to avoid stereotypes, include too much information and do not hold a child’s interest. Some of these books rely heavily on photographs, but it is difficult for a photograph to represent a broad reality.

In If you were me and lived in Mexico… Carole Roman masterfully negotiates these issues. She chooses to focus on a few facts that children identify with and easily grasp. Kids learn, for example, what their name might be, what they might call their parents and what their favorite food might be.

Part of the effectiveness of this book is its restraint. It presents just a few names, rather than a long list, and suggests one favorite food rather than dozens. By keeping the information simple, If you were me and lived in Mexico… is manageable and opens the door for conversation about these topics. The author also carefully chooses facts that appeal to children. For example, they learn that the temple at Chichen Itza has 365 steps. Kids love information like this!

The illustrations support the text and also focus on representations that are meaningful to young readers, such as children talking to their parents, going to school and playing at home. In the background of the illustrations, children will see a market, a flower vendor and a park, but as I mentioned, these features are typical, not stereotypical. Even the traffic of Mexico city, a detail in the illustration of el Palacio de Bellas Artes, conveys a sense of Mexico that many adult readers will find familiar.

How do you begin to choose a handful of facts and images that represent the complexity of a nation and a culture? How do you create a glimpse of a country that is accurate and intriguing? The answer is “very carefully.” If you are successful, the result is a book called If you were me and lived in Mexico…

You can learn more about the author and the If you were me and lived in…series on Carole Roman’s website.

Disclosure: The author sent me a copy of this book to write the article. All of the ideas and opinions are my own.