Are you now convinced that your child should learn another language, Spanish in particular? For sure, you believe the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Let’s iterate the benefits.

First, the world has now become “smaller”. Even so called remote or far-flung communities have Spanish speaking residents. Possibly, your child has a school mate or even a classmate whose first language is Spanish. Knowing Spanish will facilitate your child’s ability to interact with them as well as other Spanish speaking people your child will definitely meet in the future.

Second, scientific studies have proven that bilingual children’s cognitive abilities develop faster. Carey Miles writes in her book “Raising Bilingual Children”, (Mars Publishing 2003), “Bilingualism has been linked to a variety of positive cognitive benefits, including early reading, improved problem-solving skills and higher scores on the SATs including the math section.” Fluency in two or more languages will be a big advantage for your child when he or she graduates and enters the very competitive work force. Finding employment could be a walk in the park.

Another reason is the self-realization of being fluent in a second language. Your child could also have the opportunity of traveling to a Spanish speaking country, join a student exchange program or even avail of a scholarship which would surely have life-changing effects. Just think about the prestige of graduating college on a Spanish scholarship! Whatever the reasons may be, you have to start right, so we have prepared some helpful tips for you to do it correctly.

Learn together. It will not only be fun for you, but also encourage your child to persevere in learning the language. It will enhance your knowledge and skills and serve as a bonding time for you and your child as well. You may even have the surprise of your life in learning the language in record time!

Read and read and read! Nothing can replace practice. Children’s books that have been translated to Spanish are just perfect since they are familiar to your child and learning becomes easier as well because the words can be associated with pictures in the book. Books like “Curious George” and “Dr. Seuss” books translated to Spanish will absolutely be well appreciated by your child. Reading in English and Spanish must be done alternately to speed up the learning process.

Use games and the computer. Children learn a lot faster when games like “Monopoly” and “Operation” are used in the lessons. Acquire software that will make your child enjoy learning the language.

These useful tips will certainly come in handy when you guide your child to learn Spanish.