How to Teach Spanish Numbers

In 1999, Secretary of Education Richard Riley delivered his back-to-school address, "Changing the American High School to Fit Modern Times." Riley explained how learning a foreign language helps students become aware of new cultures. Riley urged educators to begin instruction of foreign language in elementary school and throughout the students' academic career. Teaching children numbers is a satisfying way to start your child learning any language. Spanish is spoken by half of the population in the Western Hemisphere, according to Imac Spanish Language Programs. Learning the numbers in Spanish can be beneficial in the acquisition of a foreign language.

Things You'll Need

• Dominoes

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Make flash cards for the Spanish words for the first 10 counting numbers. From one to 10, the numbers are uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez. Make a set of cards that are the English numbers, the Spanish numbers and also a set of items that you count and say the Spanish number.

   • 2

     Sing a song about the numbers. Music can help one learn. When you have to repeat the ABCs, you sing the song. Change the words to a familiar counting song to the numbers and words in Spanish. "One little, two little, three little leapfrogs," turns into, "Uno, dos, tres ranas pequenas." (One, two, three little frogs is the translation for this Spanish version.)

   • 3

     Practice counting the numbers by counting the spots on the dominoes. You will need to learn eleven, once, and twelve, doce, to be able to count the complete set of dominoes. Play a game of dominoes using only the Spanish name for the numbers.