Using Spanish songs for kids is a powerful way to enhance language learning. Songs help kids develop an intuitive feel for the language because they provide an intellectual, emotional, and physical connection. And they’re lots of fun!
Here at Spanish for You!, we have created 15 thematic Spanish songs for kids that can be used by anyone in so many different ways. Below are ideas on ways you can use these songs or any Spanish songs for kids to enhance language learning.
Spanish Songs for Kids Can Supplement Your Content
Finding songs that contain much of the Spanish vocabulary or grammar from your unit provides a lively way for students to practice reading, pronunciation, listening, and speaking. Plus you add a kinesthetic element when they tap their toes or move with the music.
The songs provide an oral, visual, and kinesthetic experience so your different style learners can connect. You can use songs in many different ways as you’ll read below.
Spanish Songs for Kids Can Provide a Focal Point for Creating Thematic Units
You may be creating units of your own. A thematic type song could give you a base around which to structure the content of your units or lessons. You can create a unit to be used independently or as something to enrich content from a curriculum.
Ways You Can Use Spanish Songs for Kids
Use Spanish Songs for Listening Comprehension Practice
Spanish songs for kids provide a great listening comprehension opportunity. Your students don’t have to understand the entire song, but they can listen for the words or structures they may understand. This mimics what they might experience while conversing with a native speaker. They may not understand all the speaker is saying, but they listen to get the gist of what is being said. And as they listen more, their understanding grows.
To really focus listening comprehension practice, put together a comprehension sheet that asks questions the students can answer. It’s ok if they don’t know/understand all the content they hear in the song. The idea is for them to pick up what is in the song that corresponds with what they have been leaning.
Spanish Songs for Kids Are Fun for Review
Maybe your class has moved on to a new unit of material. If you have songs that you used in previous units, you can play those as just a fun review of that old material. Provide printed lyrics to your students if possible. Your students can sing along. This gives them reading, speaking, and listening practice all at the same time.
Plus, as you know, repeated song lyrics stick in our memories. Great language retention tool!
Use Songs to Introduce or Preview New Material
As you begin a new unit, you can play a song that contains some of the unit’s Spanish vocabulary and/or language structures. Provide your students with the Spanish lyrics if possible. They can sing along and just begin to get a feel for what is coming.
Also, see if there are any words they already recognize or understand. When you finish the unit, play the song again so they can see how NOW they understand it!
Songs Are Great Pronunciation Practice
Play songs your students can sing along with. Provide the lyrics when needed. Singing along with songs helps learners get a feel for the rhythm of the spoken language. And, they learn pronunciation just by mimicking what they hear.
Songs Make for Fun Reading Practice
Reading in another language can be daunting at times for students. So, being able to read something musical can add a touch of fun. Some songs can be a bit poetic in style. That can be a bit more difficult for understanding meaning. So, together, talk about what they think the lyrics mean. Help them to learn how to get the gist of meaning as opposed to translating things word for word.
Use Spanish Songs as a Culminating Unit Activity
Find songs that contain most of what your students have been learning. Play the songs at the end of your unit. Provide the lyrics for singing along, or challenge students to see what they can understand from just listening. Ask questions afterward to help them see how much they are coming to understand!
Your questions can be simple, such as, “What words did you hear that you know?” They can be more complex too. Examples might be, “Where did the boy go?” or “What color was the dog?” and so on. Ask your questions in Spanish or English, whatever is best for your students. Your students will really enjoy seeing that they really are learning!
Using Spanish Songs for Kids helps bring the language to life. Just about everybody likes music, so tap into this enjoyable resource. Use your creativity and imagination to think of ways to use songs to enhance your students’ learning.