How to Speak to Kids in Spanish?

By Noah M. Benjamin

Immerse your kids in Spanish! Modern research suggests that one of the best gifts a parent can give to a child is the ability to be bilingual. Among many other benefits, knowing two languages helps a child:

Score higher on standardized tests

Master their first language

Retain their second language usually for life

On top of that, our economy is going to be completely global by the time today's kids are adults. Knowing Spanish -- the third most common language in the world -- will be a necessity for success in many fields.

But if you want your kid to be fluent with the least amount of work, start as young as possible! This is because the human brain is wired for learning patterns -- in other words, language learning -- from about ages 0 to 12. It is especially proficient at this style of learning from ages 0 to 5.

Think about when your child learned their first language. With no prior knowledge of language at all, and with no formal training, they were able to become conversational by the age of 2. This is because they were immersed in the language -- surrounded by it -- and their brain eventually forced itself to adapt and learn.

The best way to teach a child a second language? Start young and follow the same immersion process! Do not, I repeat do not put your child through formal language training because this will make them not want to learn the language.

How do you immerse your child in their second language? Easy -- just speak to them in that language! Sprinkle Spanish words into your conversations with your child. If you don't know Spanish yourself, that's not a problem -- using the right techniques, you can know enough basic Spanish to be able to benefit your child within about two weeks.

Make sure your nanny or baby sitter can speak Spanish. Have them speak only Spanish to your child. Again, through immersion, the brain will be forced to adapt and learn.

Does the child have a grandparent that speaks Spanish? See if that grandparent can live with you for a month and teach the child Spanish.

Immersing your kids in Spanish will have many, many benefits for them immediately and later in life. Teach yourself a little Spanish and you too can share in the benefits. Good luck!

The top-performing students in American schools today are bilingual. Find out for FREE how to get your child on the same path to success learning Spanish.