The next time you’re getting ready for a day trip, let your child pack one or two things. With a backpack and a few familiar objects, you can practice Spanish before you even leave the house.
Start with four things you can hold
- La mochila (lah moh-CHEE-lah) — the backpack
- La botella (lah boh-TEH-yah) — the bottle
- El suéter (ehl SWEH-tehr) — the sweater
- La gorra (lah GOH-rrah) — the cap
Say the word as you touch each item. If your child is just starting, choose two objects and repeat the names before adding the others. You might hear la cachucha (lah kah-CHOO-chah) for a cap in Colombia, too.
Play the missing item game
Put the bottle, sweater, and cap next to the backpack. Ask your child to close their eyes while you hide one item in the bag. When they open their eyes, ask ¿Qué falta? (keh FAHL-tah) — What’s missing?
If they point to the empty spot or answer in English, say the Spanish word together. Then hand them the backpack and let them hide something for you. Try guessing aloud so they can hear the words again.
Use one phrase on the way out
Before you leave, let your child check what they have. Try this exchange together:
Adult: ¿Tienes la gorra? (TYEH-nehs lah GOH-rrah) — Do you have the cap?
Child: Sí, aquí está. (see, ah-KEE ehs-TAH) — Yes, here it is.
Tomorrow, try the same question with the bottle: ¿Tienes la botella? (TYEH-nehs lah boh-TEH-yah) — Do you have the bottle? Once your child knows the question, see if they can ask you while you’re getting ready.
If you’d like help making Spanish a part of routines your child already knows, Hola Let’s Go offers online lessons and in-person tutoring in Huntsville and Madison. Book a free 15-minute consultation to talk about your family’s goals.