Best Spanish Songs for Kids (3-12)
One of The Best Ways to Learn a Language
As children grow up, music is deeply ingrained in their lives. It is instinctual for us to use music to talk to our children, play, and teach about the world around us. Our instincts couldn’t be more accurate! It provides global cognitive benefits to learning foreign languages through music.
There have been numerous studies that show how music affects children’s development. Let us explore ways in which music plays a role in the child’s development. We also recommend top Spanish songs for kids that can help your child learn Spanish.
Why is Music Effective in Language Teaching?
It is possible to view music as a distinct language based on tone, pitch, and rhythm. Understanding music’s structure and patterns is similar to learning a foreign language. It has been proven that children of all ages can learn to detect patterns in music. This skill supports speech production and reception.
When speech and music are combined to produce singing, both hemispheres of the brain cooperate: the left brain for speaking and the right brain for music. Music aids pronunciation, vocabulary clusters, visualisation, and allows us to practice the language in context.
When we talk to children, we instinctively adopt a motherese tone of voice. Without realizing it, we use language more musically. There is a greater pitch range and more exaggerated melodic contours in motherese talk, which allows children to absorb the most significant characteristics of a foreign language. Motherese talk is high pitched, slow, and rhythmical.
Using musical methods means having fun with language and letting the words flow naturally.
How to Use Music to Learn Spanish?
Learning music is like learning any other language. You can engage your child by tapping out the musical beats with your feet or maracas. Sing along and move around together while listening to the music.
The reason music is such an effective tool is because it provides us with the opportunity to use learning-inductive techniques such as movement, multimodality, repetition, and social interaction. Use additional props to engage all the senses in musical activities.
Show the context of the song by making gestures, and let your child move around. Make sure your child absorbs the linguistic features and activates memory by playing the songs several times. Get the whole family involved, sing along and move around together. This builds positive associations with the language and makes Spanish a natural part of your child’s life.
Don’t worry if your child doesn’t join in singing. Let your child take in the language first and get used to it. Every child is developing in a unique way and needs a different amount of time to start speaking in a foreign language. The vital thing is to keep teaching stress-free and inclusive.
The best results can be achieved when music is integrated into the teaching plan. Children need exposure to languages to learn, but it is important to ensure that they receive the right level of language input. Song practice is a great way to practice at home, but make sure that it is part of a larger picture. If you are looking for ways to immerse your child in the Spanish language, check out our Spanish classes for kids and teenagers with native speakers.
Top Spanish Songs for Kids
Bilingual Nursery Rhymes
You will need to get used to the lyrics and rhythm of many traditional Spanish songs if you want to help your child learn a foreign language. It is also possible to pass on to your children the songs you loved growing up, this time in Spanish.
A nursery rhyme is a great way for your child to learn. Perhaps you know the English version of some of them. Try listening to both versions alternately.
To keep your child interested, the songs contain lyrics and are skillfully animated.
1. Las ruedas del autobús/ The wheels on the bus
How about this one for a start? This song about the bus is so catchy you won’t be able to stop singing!
2. Incy Wincy Araña/Itsy Bitsy Spider
Now it’s time for the Spanish version of Itsy Bitsy Spider.
3. El viejo McDonald tenía una granja/ Old McDonald had a farm
Old McDonald and his farm is another childhood classic. It has a great, repetitive rhythm and the adorable animation with animals on the farm will easily convince both children, and parents.
4. Si estás feliz/ If you’re happy and you know it
Here we go with another catchy tune. This song has simple lyrics and encourages children to move around. Smile and clap your hands, simple as that!
Lullabies in Spanish
A child’s falling asleep ritual includes music and singing from all over the world, which should be a stress-free and bonding experience for both of you. It is a great way to make Spanish a part of your daily life.
Our recommendations of nanas have been sung to children for hundreds of years and transfer cultural heritage alongside Spanish vocabulary.
Many beautiful songs will surely be enjoyed by your family.
Check our favourite picks:
1. Los pollitos dicen
Los pollitos dicen is one of the most popular traditional Spanish songs for kids. It is an adorable story about a hen putting down to sleep her chicks.
2. Collar de estrellas
Collar de estrellas is probably our favourite pick, a lullaby about the moon visiting children in their sleep and illuminating their dreams.
3. Estrellita
Estrellita is the Spanish version of the popular English lullaby Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Which version appeals to you more?
Rockalingua Songs
Rockalingua offers a great variety of activities for the youngest Spanish learners. The songs are designed to assist children with Spanish learning and present the foreign language in context. They cover a wide variety of topics and vocabulary. Moreover, there are color-in worksheets and lyrics available for you to download.
Check out this adorable song about the colors or learn body parts in Spanish with your child. Make sure to print out the worksheet as well.
Disney Songs in Spanish
Does your child love one of the Disney movies? Learning couldn’t be easier with Disney songs in Spanish. You can alternate between playing it in English and in Spanish so that your child gets used to the idea of the existence of foreign languages. There are many options to choose from. Find one that both you and your child will love!
1. The Lion King – Hakuna Matata
Is there anyone who can resist the Hakuna matata song?
2. Frozen – Libre soy
The English version of this song has undoubtedly been played in every home with children, hasn’t it?
Now you can at least alternate between two versions! Your child will pick up the lyrics easily, having already listened to the English version.
3. Pocahontas – Colores en el viento
Any Pocahontas fans here? This song is not only beautiful, but its lyrics gives invaluable lesson about unity of humans and nature and the need to respect all the living things.
If you are looking for more Disney inspirations in Spanish, check out this ultimate list created by Christa from Pura Vida Moms. You will find more beautiful songs from the Lion King, Aladdin, Mulan, the Little Mermaid, and many more!
Other Songs
The YouTube channels with Spanish songs for children are waiting for you to explore them. The songs are jolly, repetitive, and are accompanied by colorful animation. They not only promote a wide variety of topics that children are interested in, but also healthy principles and values. The YouTube video settings allow you to add subtitles if it doesn’t contain any. They can make your child and family have an interactive experience.
If your child attends Spanish classes, find a song about a specific topic that can reinforce what he has just learned. There are many songs that teach basic vocabulary such as numbers, colors, food, animals, and means of transportation.
We’ve compiled a list of our top three favourite Spanish education channels for children. Here’s a little peek into what each has to offer.
- Toobys Español: Learn numbers together with elephants swinging on a spider’s web. We have to warn you, the music is so catchy, you won’t be able to stop singing it! Listen here.
- Toy Cantando: Get acquainted with Vaca Lola, a friendly cow. The simple lyrics and nice animation will be a perfect introduction for the younger learners.
- Super Simple Songs: Super Simple Songs offers many great resources adapted to the youngest learners. Check out here one of our favourite songs for a start: an adorable story about a duck and its ducklings. It’s a great way to learn numbers.
- CantaJuego: If you want to know what native Spanish Children are completely obsessed about, you need to enter the CantaJuego’s universe.
- Luli Pampín: with this colorful female character children will learn about animals, food, letters… Her song Camino por la selva is a must for Spanish speaking children.
If you are looking for more ways to teach your child Spanish, check out our Spanish classes adapted to children. With our classes, we make learning easy, fun, and tailored to your kid’s or teenager’s needs.
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