Say Hola to Spanish Learning

National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated each year from September 15 to October 15, is a meaningful time to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities—and to help children discover the joy of language and connection.

At Learning Care, our proprietary Spotlight on Spanish program introduces preschool and pre-K students to simple Spanish words through engaging stories, songs, games, and hands-on learning experiences that make language exploration fun.

Discover Spanish through play and learning

Children love interacting with Teresa the Turtle as they build confidence learning colors, numbers, greetings, and everyday vocabulary in a fun, age-appropriate way. Through playful repetition and meaningful experiences, children develop an appreciation for language while exploring new ways to communicate with others.

For Stephanie Evans, an Education Specialist within Learning Care's Education Department, Spotlight on Spanish is especially meaningful. Stephanie has served in a variety of teaching and leadership roles throughout her early childhood education career, including School Director at one of our Learning Care schools in Michigan. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from Central Michigan University, along with minors in Spanish and Leadership.

As a native Spanish speaker, Stephanie is passionate about sharing her language and culture with young learners.

"Language opens the door to new experiences, perspectives, and connections," she says. "Through Spotlight on Spanish, children are introduced to Spanish in a way that is engaging, developmentally appropriate, and enjoyable. It's exciting to see children gain confidence as they learn new words and celebrate the richness of Hispanic cultures."

Did you know? Learning a second language during the early years can help strengthen communication skills, support cognitive development, and encourage an appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives.

Try learning Spanish at home

Practice a few Spanish words together during everyday routines:

• Hello = Hola
• Goodbye = Adios
• Thank you = Gracias
• Red = Rojo
• Blue = Azul
• One = Uno
• Two = Dos
• Three = Tres

Whether your family is learning Spanish for the first time or already speaks it at home, exploring new words together can be a fun way to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month and the many cultures, traditions, and communities it honors.

Share stories that celebrate Hispanic heritage

Reading books is another great way to explore Hispanic heritage, traditions, and culture. Here are some recommendations from our Education Team to get you started:

 Toddlers

• Fiesta! by Ginger Foglesong Guy
• Little Chickies/Los Pollitos: Bilingual Nursery Rhymes by Susie Jaramillo
• Green Is a Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors by Roseanne Greenfield Thong

 Preschool/Pre-K

• Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
• Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz
• Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell
  

 School Age (6 to 9) 

• Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet In Spanish and English by Alma Flor Ada
• The Rainbow Tulip by Pat Mora
• New Shoes for Leo by Lauren Agra Deedy

Ready to explore more? Reach out to school leadership to see whether Spotlight on Spanish is offered at your child's school. Click here to learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.