Research from Harvard and the University of Washington highlights that preschool-aged children are uniquely equipped to master a second language, especially when they start learning early at a bilingual or Spanish immersion preschool. While classroom teaching is valuable, reinforcing your child's Spanish at home is essential for building fluency. Here are three fun activities to keep the language learning outside the classroom.
1. Watch your child’s favorite movies in Spanish
An easy way to maintain Spanish immersion at home is to switch the language on your child's favorite movies. Watching familiar content in Spanish helps children develop an ear for the language and learn pronunciation and new vocabulary effortlessly. Disney classics like The Lion King (El Rey León) or Frozen (El Reino del Hielo) are great options that allow kids to enjoy their favorite characters while absorbing the language.
2. Play Spanish Music
Children tend to mimic sounds and phrases, and music adds a fun, rhythmic element to their learning. This is why listening to Spanish music is another excellent tool for language reinforcement. If you don't know any children's Spanish songs, a good place to start is playing their favorite movie soundtracks in Spanish or finding TV shows with Spanish-speaking characters. Shows like Dora the Explorer or Pocoyo offer an entertaining way to immerse them in the language. Engaging them in sing-alongs or dancing to these songs can make the learning process even more enjoyable, helping them pick up new words and phrases naturally while having fun. Teachers at a Spanish immersion preschool can also give you some playlists to listen to.
3. Read books in Spanish
Reading stories in Spanish is a great way to enhance language comprehension. Many beloved children’s books, such as Goodnight Moon (Buenas Noches Luna), Dr. Seuss's ABC, Llama Llama Red Pijama, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar (La Oruga Muy Hambrienta), are available in Spanish, offering a familiar context for new vocabulary. Audiobooks can also help by modeling accurate pronunciation while they follow along.
Incorporating these activities daily will keep your child engaged and continuously learning Spanish in a natural and enjoyable way. The combination of school and home reinforcement ensures that your child will develop strong bilingual skills that will serve them well for years to come. At Bethesda Reggio, we offer unique dual-language learning through our unique Spanish/English curriculum. Your child will graduate from our program not only fully prepared for English-speaking Kindergarten but also speaking Spanish with a native accent. If you are looking for a Spanish immersion preschool contact us today!
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