This online story is an unusual version of Los tres cerditos (The Three Little Pigs) meant for native Spanish speakers. It has a simple plot and the common vocabulary is well supported by the animation. Although the sentence structure is more complex than in some stories for beginning Spanish learners, children can easily understand what is happening. They also stay engaged with the story because there are interactive features. It is perfect for children who [...]
Botas nuevas, by Guido Van Genechten, is the Spanish edition of New Boots. It is the story of a child who gets new boots and discovers all the things he can do when he is wearing them. In addition to being a wonderful book for Spanish language learners, it is a story full of enthusiasm and joy that children identify with and love to hear. The story is simple. John gets new boots and plays [...]
This printable book in Spanish has common vocabulary and a simple, repeated sentence structure. The title is El muñeco de nieve (The Snowman) and the story consists of showing the objects used to build a snowman and then the finished snowman. All of the sentences have the same pattern. This is the sentence from the first page: Esta es la nariz para el muñeco de nieve. (This is the nose for the snowman.) On [...]
Children learning Spanish as a second language, or in minority language situations, get most of their exposure to the language from adults. They often do not hear Spanish-speaking children playing with the sounds of the language and expressing emotion naturally with their voices. Quiero ser distinta is from the site Milcuentos.com: Cuentos infantiles con sonido (A thousand stories: Children’s stories with sound), a collection of stories illustrated and narrated by children. The expression that the [...]
¡Es hora de ir al colegio! (It’s Time to Go to School!) is a printable mini-book in Spanish. It is a free download from DLTK’s Growing Together. ¡Es hora de ir al colegio! is very short, with basic Spanish words and common Spanish structures. The illustrations are simple pictures of the vocabulary on each page. This little book in Spanish teaches the common structure Es hora de + infinitive (base form of the verb) to [...]
This bilingual edition of My Friends/Mis amigos by Taro Gomi has Spanish and English on facing pages. It is an enchanting book, and a wonderful way to expose children to lots of Spanish. In terms of vocabulary, the book teaches animals in Spanish, and also the infinitives for many common Spanish verbs. I love the concept of this book– a child recounts learning essential skills from her friends, tracing the accomplishments of learning to walk, [...]
Traditional features of many picture books make them excellent Spanish-language learning tools. For example, illustrations that support the Spanish text and the repetition of grammar structures are features that teach vocabulary, word order and the rules of syntax. This online book in Spanish is a great example of how technology can provide new features that contribute to the language learning process. In addition to traditional elements, this story is interactive. On each page, the child [...]
Expressions of courtesy are a part of our daily interactions. If a child is learning Spanish, these polite words should be part of her vocabulary. By learning a few basic words and phrases, children can understand and use appropriate Spanish expressions of courtesy in most situations. It is polite to greet others with one of the following phrases: Buenos días – Good morning Buenas tardes – Good afternoon Buenas noches – Good night When asking [...]
If you have ever misplaced your keys, you know how you think of the word “where” as you search for them. Where did I put them? Where could they be? Where did I last see them? The same experience makes these lift-the-flap books in Spanish excellent language-learning tools. All of them ask ¿Dónde está? (where is…). All of them involve looking for something. This is the perfect way to teach dónde because the action of [...]
Children are familiar with the concepts and vocabulary related to the seasons of the year. Using this knowledge, they can understand the same ideas expressed in Spanish. As children relate the concepts they know to the Spanish language, they use their ideas to clarify the meaning of the words. This allows children to understand longer sentences and new vocabulary, and is an excellent way for them to learn Spanish. Reading both of these books children [...]
Reading to your child in Spanish is one of the best ways to expose her to the Spanish language. Many libraries have picture books in Spanish and you can also buy them in bookstores and online. These are a few factors to consider as you choose picture books in Spanish to read with your child. Most important The best book in Spanish to read to your child is the one that interests her, that she [...]
These two picture books are fun to read, use clothing vocabulary, and also use complete Spanish sentences rather than just labeling words. Both books have illustrations that make the text clear so children can learn Spanish. Children learn the most Spanish from picture books that use complete sentences. A language is much more, and much more complicated, than individual words. Reading with your child is an opportunity to expose her to words used in context, [...]