If you want your child to be able to read and understand Spanish, immerse him in the language before he can pick up a pen or book. According to Parents magazine, the earlier you start using Spanish around your child, the better she'll pick up the language's sounds and nuances. If one parent is bilingual, that parent should speak Spanish exclusively to your child while the other uses English. When your child learns a new word, be sure to tell him the equivalent word in Spanish.
Frank Gerace, Ph.D, an English teacher in New York City who provides help on accent reduction, recommends that parents teach their kids the Spanish version of the ABCs (abecedarios) before the English version. According to Gerace, singing the alphabet and working from primers to learn letters and sounds works just as well as it does in English, and you can find Spanish language-learning books for kids at your local bookstore. Gerace explains that sounds in Spanish are more straightforward than they are in English, and kids who learn to read Spanish first actually will have a head start in English-speaking Kindergarten. Once your child has mastered the alphabet, encourage him to phonetically sound out short Spanish words and phrases.
Buy Spanish-language picture books and read them with your child. She'll get more practice matching sounds with letters as she follows along with your oral reading and the words on the page. If you're short on cash, try reading Clifford interactive storybooks for free online, available from Scholastic.
Many video games and board games are available in Spanish, and choosing games with text to read can help your child build Spanish literacy skills through play. Gerace recommends the Spanish versions of Disney, Reader Rabbit and Jump Start educational games. When your child gets more advanced, try playing Scrabble Junior using Spanish words.
Integrated language suites provide second-language education materials in a number of media formats (books, workbooks, video, audio and sometimes even software) that work together to support learning and keep children engaged. Although they can get expensive, these suites can help children improve their reading and writing skills in a second language while they continue to work on their pronunciation and comprehension. Workbooks introduce printed words and spelling, while DVDs help reinforce book lessons and introduce new vocabulary. For example, Professor Toto offers an extensive language learning package for $199.95, along with a cheaper starter kit for parents on a budget.