how to introduce Spanish

Tiff_mom - posted on 08/15/2012

I don't speak spanish but I'm trying to provide a very "spanishY" (if that's a word) environment for mine. Other than the usual of having him babysat by my Spanish speaking friends and family, I've also used the Kid Start Spanish program (http://www.kidstartspanish.com) I really like their mentality because they believe in the Immersion at home system, I think it's important for the child to see that Spanish is important to YOU and then they will realize that it's important to them.

Roxie - posted on 01/03/2012

I have been using it as a bonding experience for us as a family at home. I translate everything and especially when Daddy's around so that way he can learn to. I don't get to go see my family that often it's a way that i can get a piece of home in my home. On Tuesdays we speak in Spanish only, which is always fun and a great teaching opportunity. Just have fun and the end of it hopefully everyone will be bilingual in the house.

Arelis - posted on 12/07/2011

I have found children bilingual books in stores like barnes and nobles, books-a-million, and waldens book store. When I teach my boy a word in English I also say it in Spanish....it may be a pain to remember sometimes but I do translate everything EVERYTHiNG in Spanish even it's a "Don't touch ur face....no te toques la cara!!!!"

Good Luck and i think it's awesome that u ladies are taking the time to teach ur kids Spanish.

Silvina - posted on 11/12/2011

Hi Ladies,
Please visit my blog LittleSpanishers.Blogspot.com
It is about my journey on how to make our kids embrace Spanish as a full language.

See you there.
Silvina

Rachel - posted on 11/01/2011

start with shows like diego and dora and redo as you make food clothes ha
teach him as if you were learning english the alphabet numbers color and objects sizes it will cl\ome quicker than you think i used a song.....uno,dos,tres,quartro cinco seis, ............siete,,ocho.nueve,deis-,,,,,,,,over and over it trul work

Yannine - posted on 11/01/2011

i would not worry too much about it, my husband does not speak spanish and since my daughter was born i spoke to her in spanish. When she goes to my parents and family's house she is spoken to in spanish. he will need to appreciate the fact that she has more than one culture, and if he loves you guys enough he will. Just start talking to her and she will pick it up. Good luck!

Beth - posted on 10/29/2011

I love all of these posts over the past couple of years. One thing not mentioned is bringing something into your daily routine that combines both Spanish and English. Using some of the Boca Beth bilingual music CDs can give your husband the comfort level of hearing English right alongside Spanish plus allow your son to hear how cool it can be to sing songs in both languages. Right now their is a 40% savings through 10/31/11 using code word TREAT and it's always free shipping on www.BocaBeth.com. Hope this helps.

Julie - posted on 09/02/2009

Teach them both at the same time!! :) When you point to objects say them once and in english then multiple time in spanish. This will teach baby to differenciate between both languages and teach them both the spanish word.

Cindy - posted on 09/01/2009

yo tengo 2 hijos y mi esposo entiendo poquito por no decir nada de español y a mi no me importa si me entiende ó no cuando les hablo a ellos, ni a él le importa, si quiere saber pregunta y se le dice en inglés.

Mi hija ya va cumplir 5 años en noviembre y habla inglés y español perfectamente, con mis amistades latinas no tiene ningún problema para comunicarse, mi vecina sólo halba español y mi hija es feliz yendo a su casa y cuando regresa hasta viene con palabras nuevas colombianas cuando yo soy costarricense. ja!ja!

Mi hijo tiene 2 años y 3 meses y pues apenas esta empezando a hablar pero desde ya se ve que entiende los 2 idiomas. Ambos han sido de decir primero mas palabras en ingles pero al llegar a la edad que ya parecen loras hablando es cuando noté con mi hija que dominaba los 2.

No dejes de hablarles aunque tu esposo no entienda bien, es una belleza verlos como ellos son desde tan poca edad ya personas biculturales y ademas eso les abre el cerebro para que el dia de mañana puedan hablar otros idiomas



Suerte!

Mirm - posted on 08/29/2009

Hey, I'm pregnant with my first baby*only 14 wks* and my spouse and I have already discussed this ealry on. Whenever we go to my parents house, everyone speaks Spanish for the good majority of the time, leaving him in the dark. They try to speak to him in broken English but he understands that when the baby arrives, there's no doubt about it, he/she will learn it!! And he is completely fine with that because while he will be trying to learn Spanish, I will have to learn Sign Language. His brother is deaf so he wants him/her to be able to communicate with his uncle......and not only that but its good to teach infants and young toddlers Sign Language when they haven't begun speaking....it will help us communicate without any problems of wondering what he/she really needs/wants. Either way it should be a learning process and great bonding time with your husband and your baby!! good luck!!!

Mari - posted on 08/28/2009

hi,



you should continue with your desire to introduce Spanish to your child and your hubby should try to learn as well and support you. my daughter is 5 and knows how to speak both languages . You will be glad you did !

Diana - posted on 08/28/2009

There was an article in a children's magazine about this and it recommended you talk strictly in Spanish and your husband in English so your baby doesn't get confused and that you have to stick to this for as long as you can. Apparently bilingual kids have "access to different problem-solving skills as well as well-developed cultural awareness" says Professor Michael Clyne, author of Autralia's Language Potential. Encourage your husband to learn Spanish or keep reassuring him that he's not being left out.

Clary - posted on 08/25/2009

Does Daddy care? Speak to him in Spanish all the time. Daddy can learn along the way. He will start picking up words. I speak to my kids in Spanish a lot. I try to do it all the time. They understand but do not speak. The oldest one (18) is trying harder. Keep at it.

Debbi - posted on 08/23/2009

Daddy should'nt feel left out. Did you ask him how he felt? Teaching your child Spanish will actually help his brain develope more than learning only 1 language. Alaso, it is important for us to keep our herutage going. And in the future your son will hvae more oppertunies available to him because he will be bilingual. Now what Dad wouldnt want his son to be smarter, culturally rounded and successful...

Vanessa - posted on 08/05/2009

I speak to my daughter in Spanish most of the time, but when Daddy is around I speak in Spanish and repeat in English...both seem to understand what I say.

Martha - posted on 08/04/2009

there's no LEAVING OUT, many kids grow up in household where 2-3 or even more languages are spoken.
The best way to introduce another language to kids is TV....DVD setting in Spanish (or English which is may case) are a GREAT way for kids to learn the 2nd language without even knowing.
take us for example. I've spoken Spanglish (can't say strict English) to my kids -we are in Mexico- but TV here at home is ONLY in English, books, everything and I can tell you my 5&7 year old princesses are completly bicultural EVEN if both mommy and daddy are Mexican and live IN Mexico.

Mari - posted on 08/04/2009

I spoke both languages at home. I got my oldest father to speak with us. It was a learning experience since he himself didn't speak it though he did understand it. Its fun he says because he is then able to communicate with my mother who mainly speaks spanish, and also his father has also started to speak spanish as well. There is nothing wrong with learning a new language. It's fun in a sense. and u shouldn't feel like dad will be left out from a conversation. If you speak both it's just as good as one.

Nickie - posted on 07/31/2009

I think you're husband needs to try to learn also. He should embrace your heritage and try to become closer with your family in that way. I'm not Latina, but my daughter is so I am taking Spanish classes and I have books for her. We count, first in English, then in Spanish, so we are actually learning together. I would like for her to be able to communicate with her family that does not speak English since they are not in this country and probably never will know our language. Plus, it's a great tool to have in so many ways. Once you have opened the gates to a foreign language it makes it easier to understand other languages, which could mean a job opportunity or a sweet vacation in the future!!!

Cardesha - posted on 07/31/2009

IDK? My daughter's father and all of his family speaks spanish and I don't. There are times when I fell left out. But I fixed my problem. I've been taking a spanish class for 3 years now. I've lerned a lot. So now that My baby's daddy and I are not together I can teach Carla {my daughter} what I know. There are certian things she won't know, because it's not the same as beening raised in a spanish speaking family home. But I can live with that. When her dad wants to be in her life, he can teach her those things/words that I can't.

Diandra - posted on 07/29/2009

Maybe set a schedule in the day when it's strictly Spanish time. Use the Spanish language of course, books, videos, label things around the house with Spanish words, or have you and dad wear a home-made necklace with a Spanish word attached to it (On an index card). When the kids ask you a question or need something they must read the word on your necklace before they ask! This will help daddy become somewhat involved and learn at the same time.



When they're school-aged you can try to put them in a dual-language program, where they will become fluent in both languages. Stats show these children who are fluent in both English and Spanish (Academic Language) do better in school, test scores, etc...I think it will help them hold onto their heritage and be proud of who they are!!!!

Wendy - posted on 07/28/2009

My son is now 12 and my daughter is 10. My biggest regret is that I didnt teach them my native language. If your husband welcomes the idea of bringin up your baby bilingual he'll embrace your "hola Papi conversations.

Amanda - posted on 07/28/2009

Teach Daddy Spanish. You shouldn't feel bad at all. I have the opposite problem. My fiance speaks mostly Spanish and I speak English. I speak both English and Spanish to my daughter so she may learn both languages. When I am around him I speak Spanish followed by English so that he may understand what I am saying and also possibly learn along with our child. I think it is very important to raise a child in a bilingual household bilingually. They are exposed to both languages so why not teach them both. Think of the opportunities out in the world for bilingual people. I don't want to deny my child any opportunity. Good Luck! or Buena Suerte!

Liseth - posted on 07/07/2009

empieza por hablar en espanol en la casa si no entienden nada empieza por ofrecerles cositas en espanol por ejemplo quieres agua water y asi van aprendiendo poco a poco

Brenda - posted on 07/06/2009

Hi Lina, I felt the same way w/ my son (who is 4 yrs. old now) when he was younger. I so wanted him to speak both languages. My husband is Caucasian and I'm P.R. I also didn't want my husband to feel left out and wasn't so sure my son understood that there was something like another language so I held off but recently he started watching Dora and Diego cartoons and he now will ask me how to say things in Spanish or will respond to me in Spanish and if I respond to him in English he'll correct me and have me say it Spanish. I think him watching them and hearing them speak both languages helped him realize that there is another way of saying things and so I've started to speak to my 7 month old daughter and my son in Spanish. My husband is all for it and although he won't try to learn spanish he understands that our children are biracial and that knowing how to speak spanish is just as important for them as speaking english. I want my children to not only speak spanish but sound like latinos when they speak it. I would recommend that you start speaking to him as often as possible and as much as possible and have your baby speak it also.

Laura - posted on 07/05/2009

Lina: I spoke to my daughter from day one both in english then spanish! So everytime I said something I used both languagese actually As for my husband he picked up a bit of spanish. Just listening to me telling her all the time. Good luck! Don't give up! LOL

Laura

Valerie - posted on 06/25/2009

Share your desire to teach your child Spanish and your desire that you do not want this to be uncomfortable to daddy. What if anything do you need to be comfortable with this? The question to ask daddy. I acknowledge your commitment to preserving your culture and consideration for daddy's feelings.

Cyrilla - posted on 06/25/2009

I am caucasion and my boyfriend is spanish and my son is only 2 months old but we plan to teach both english and spanish. To do so we "plan" to have papi speak only spanish and mommy speak only english. I've heard this works and I do not feel left out when he speaks spanish and I'm sure he doesn't feel left out when I speak english.

Erica - posted on 06/23/2009

Hi.. My son knows a little bit of spanish... He is going to be 7 next month.. What I have done was just talk to him in both languages.. I tell him first in spanish and then I tell him in english... As he got older and didn't understand what I was saying he would ask we what the word was... It's helped for me

Good Luck!

Jenny - posted on 06/22/2009

It is more difficult when both parents don't speak both languages, but it can be done! The one parent one language strategy works really well, if your husband will agree to it. I have heard of several families that use English for whole family discussions, and then each parent uses their native language for one-on-one time with the children. The important thing is to be consistent. Also, with my daughter, we have had to begin pretending we don't understand her when she uses English but should be using Spanish. Of course, she knows we do understand her, but she does switch languages in order for the conversation to continue. There are lots of articles and ideas online as well. Buena suerte!

Nedy - posted on 06/22/2009

There are some toys from Leapfrog that are both English/Spanish. My boys who are 1 and 2 yrs old love playing with them. I introduced them to Spanish by counting numbers 1-10. When it's feeding time, I would say the name of the foods in Spanish like leche,pan y jugo etc...

MARIA - posted on 06/19/2009

HOLA YO PASE POR LO MISMO QUE TU YO ESOTY CASADA CON UN AMERICANO HACE 8 ANOS TENMOS TRES CRIATURAS MUY BELLAS Y HERMOSAS CUANDO ESTUVIMOS NUESTRA PRIMERA CRIATURA YO LE CANTABA Y LE SOLIA HACER CUENTOS EN ESPANOL COMENCE A NOTAR A MI ESPOSO UN POSO RARO SINTIENDOSE MAL. YO PLATIQUE CON EL LE DIEJE QUE SON MIS RAICES QUE TENGO QUE ENSENARSELAS QUE ELLA ES HISPANA Y EL ENTENDIO. EL POCO A POCO SE SIENTA CONMIGO Y ME PREGUNTA MI AMOR QUE SIGNIFICA ESTO O LO OTRO ECT.... CUANDO AHI AMOR AHI ENTENDIMIENTO Y EL TIENE QUE ENTENDER QUE TU ERES TE OTRA CULTURA DE OTRA RAZA LA CUAL TU NINO LO LLEVA EN LA SANGRE Y TIENES QUE INTRODUCIRSELA A EL. NO ES FACIL TE LO DIGO PERO SI EL LE GUSTO LA HISPANA CON QUE SE CASOY QUIZO TENER UN HIJO BUENO QUE ENTRE EN LA EDUCACION Y ENSENALE A LOS DOS ES BUENO. SUERTE

Sara - posted on 06/15/2009

i think that they should both learn spanish, and you should have a talk with your husband to make sure you want the same thing for your son, as far as do you want him to grow up bilingual or nor, because it will be much better for your son to start now hearing spanish, i have seen it in families that have parents that speak two different languages to them and the kids end up being really fluent in both, even without any accent in either language, we are currently talking spanish to our son, but although both my husband and I are latinos, we grew up here in washington state and have lost a few words, but we do as much spanish as possible, and he still hears english from dad since he is usually the one the switches over without even noticing....best of luck

Keyla - posted on 06/11/2009

We are doing the "one-parent one-language" with our son; I speak to him in Spanish and my husband in English. I also speak Spanish to my husband if my son is around. My husband understands and speaks Spanish, but doesn't feel very comfortable speaking it all the time.

I have noticed that our son is speaking more words in English, although he understands Spanish. So, now I am trying to pretend I don't know what he's saying so he'll say it in Spanish or saying "como lo dice mama?".

We have friends with twins whose mother spoke to them in Spanish from birth, but refuse to speak Spanish, although they understand. My cousin and his wife would pretend not to understand their kids unless they spoke Spanish, and it worked for them.

It is really important for kids to learn as early as possible...There are a lot of people who wish they knew Spanish better than they do...

Jessica - posted on 06/09/2009

i speak portuguese to my daughter.. her sitter speaks strictly portuguese to her.. my husband understood spanish barely speaks it.. over the years he has picked up simple phrases and i have caught him speaking portuguese to her.. i think children should learn that 2nd language no matter what it is.. they are all going to learn english in school so why not teach them another language? i'd start off with simple everyday phrases and things that you use everyday, like the car and door just so he can pick up some words..

Vicki - posted on 06/09/2009

i am the reverse and am trying to teach myself spanish, my partner speaks both to our daughter, i would love to be able to speak spanish and find myself babbling at our 2 month old, daddy should be proud his child will be able to speak 2 languages!!!

Domi - posted on 06/04/2009

I think you should start teaching him know, it gets harder for them to learn it at a later age. I'm having that problem with my son who is going to be 8 this month. Once they start going to school it gets hard for them to learn spanish. Teach both daddy and baby, he will appreciate it. Good luck!

Martha - posted on 06/04/2009

I would say make it a family event! Teach both daddy and baby! If you don't teach your son now not only will it be very difficult for him to learn later but you will regret it! No matter if daddy learns or not, start today!!! Contrary to popular belief he will not get confused but rather be fluently bilingual. I grew up speaking both spanish and english and I don't have an accent in either language, so i'm doing the same with my boys. we speak mostly spanish throughout the day and then he sees cartoons in english, books, learning time, and i also speak to him in english-like half the time. And he speaks both english & spanish and he's only 2!!

Talk to daddy and let him know it's part of your sons heritage and you want him not only to be able to communicate with his own family but to be proud of who he is by speaking spanish!

Suerte!

Diana - posted on 06/02/2009

i agree w/ that Daddy should start learning Spanish w/ his son .. It would be the best thing for both of them. Good luck w/ him learning it.. I just love when babies speak spanish they sound sooooo CUTE!!!

Michele - posted on 06/01/2009

Daddy should understand that if the baby starts now learning spanish it is to his best interest in the future. It is a sin that because one of the parents don't speak spanish you don't give the child the priviledge of a head start in his future.Maybe even daddy will get an interest and learn...don't give up your spanish just because daddy may feel left out...show him what the benefit is.

Desiree - posted on 05/31/2009

my husbands family only speaks spanish, and i dont. While the situation is kind of switched, I dont feel left out at all. I just think of how good it is for him to bond with his family and how good it is for him to learn two languages. I am trying to learn spanish so that i can get involved but if i dont it is still good that he gets a special thing with his grandma.

Celina - posted on 05/30/2009

Hello, i have the same problem. It helps if your husband is understanding and wants the best for your children, understanding that introducing a second language will only strengthen and enrich the life of your son; and explaining to your husband that you speaking in spanish is not meant at all to be a means of shutting him out or producing a secret special bond with your son, but to enrich his life and hope that your husband understands your selfless motives.

Laura - posted on 05/28/2009

Sorry but there's no way he will not feel left out unless he also tries to learn it him self. I have two children from my first marriage. When I met my husband David he had a hard time because I spoke spanish only with my kids and he didn't understand it. He would always make remarks about it and I'd always reassure him it wasn't anything against him just that I wanted to make sure they didn't loose that part of their heritage... well it was always something he had a hard time with. I gradually with out even realizing it went from Spanish to English and eventually all English. Now my girls speak it but I can see they don't speak it fluently like I do and some things they don't even have a clue about. My husband now realizes how dumb he was and how much it has hurt the kids specially our kids... we have two of our own and they are far more behind then the two oldest. Don't waste any time. Get your husband involved somehow. He can take classes. you can talk to him in spanish at home. Start with the house hold stuff and the baby stuff. Build from there. He can talk to the baby in englis and you Only in Spanish. Your baby will catch on so much sooner then you think. I've seen this with friends and family and it really does work.





Best of Luck!


Laura