For us parents, we just want the best for our kids. They can pursue music, sports, and everything else, and we’ll gladly support them if that’s what makes them happy. For some kids, language is what interests them. According to Duolingo’s 2024 Language Report, Spanish is the second most studied language globally, second to English. With that, you’ve found your way here either because your kid expressed an interest in studying this language or you personally want them to learn the language.
Regardless of the reason behind it, allowing your kid to learn a new language is already a great decision. And one of the growing ways to help kids learn Spanish is by letting them watch Spanish TV. Yep, just having Latino TV channels at home can make a huge difference. Here are four ways Spanish TV helps kids learn Spanish naturally:
It makes learning fun for kids.
We all understand how challenging it is to try to learn something while being bored. It’s like you’re just hearing the words, but your brain isn’t actually “understanding” them. That may be a waste of time, and it might even discourage your child from actually learning. By allowing your kids to learn through Spanish movies and TV shows, they get entertained as they try to absorb the words and sentences.
There are different platforms for you to use if you don’t have cable TV at home. You can always stream on YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and many more. Just make sure that you have a fast satellite internet, or any kind for that matter; you just need a high-speed one.
It allows them to learn words through context.
When learning a new language, learning “words” is not enough because, for most languages, the meaning of a word can change depending on how it’s used. When they learn the language through Spanish TV shows and movies, they are already exposed to how words are used in real conversations and different situations. This helps them understand not just the basic meaning of a word, but also when and how to use it.
For example, a simple word like “bueno” can be used in many different ways depending on tone, expression, or sentence placement. They also get to hear idioms, expressions, and casual phrases that aren’t often taught in traditional lessons.
It improves their listening skills.
When kids watch Spanish TV shows, they hear people speaking the language in real life or how it’s really spoken on a daily basis. At first, they might not understand what’s being said, and that’s okay. But the more they listen, the more their brain starts to notice words they’ve heard before. Even if they don’t know every word, they slowly start to understand what people are talking about just by listening.
It exposes them to the culture itself.
Beyond the language itself, Spanish TV can also give kids an understanding of the culture. They’ll see how people live and interact in Spanish-speaking countries. This includes the food they eat, the holidays they celebrate, and how they celebrate them, the kind of music they listen to, how they talk to their family and friends, and even how they dress.
If your kids get exposed to different cultures at a very young age, you teach them to be accepting and respectful of other ways of life. They learn that people may do things differently, but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. It’s just another way of living. Seeing this on screen helps kids become more open-minded, curious, and kind toward others.
The Bottom Line
Spanish TV is becoming a great way to help your kids learn Spanish naturally. It’s a fun way to add this activity on top of traditional Spanish lessons. It tests their memory and improves their vocabulary. The most important thing that you need to do as a parent is to make sure that everything they are watching is appropriate for their age. We hope the best for your kid as they learn a new language. Good luck!
