Help your little one feel proud and confident! Start with these fun, everyday Spanish words and watch them shine.
One of the most joyful parts of parenting a preschooler is watching them discover new things. And there’s something especially heartwarming about hearing your child say a new word in Spanish, whether it’s hola at breakfast or gracias after you hand them a snack.
If your child already knows a few Spanish words, you might be wondering, “What’s the next step?” or “How can I keep the momentum going?”
Good news: you don’t need a perfect accent or a teaching background to help your little one learn. Just a few high-frequency Spanish words can build confidence, spark curiosity, and even lay the foundation for fluency. And the best part? You’ll start seeing results this week.
At the end of this article, you’ll get access to a free printable PDF of Spanish Starter Flashcards for Preschoolers, 20 fun, illustrated words that make learning visual, interactive, and stress-free.
Why These Early Words Matter
Children between the ages of 3 and 5 are in a prime stage for language development. According to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, early childhood is when the brain is most adaptable to learning languages. This means your preschooler can soak up vocabulary effortlessly, especially when it’s introduced in fun, bite-sized ways.
Even learning just 5 to 10 new Spanish words per week can help your child feel a growing sense of mastery. It also encourages them to start connecting Spanish with daily routines, whether at home, in class, or during paired lessons with a friend.
So, if your child is already enrolled in a Spanish class or you’re considering it, practicing these words outside of class helps reinforce what they learn and makes the experience more meaningful.
Real Learning, Real Results
Parents often ask if starting this early really makes a difference. The answer is a resounding yes. Research carried out by the University of California found that early exposure to a second language can enhance executive function skills like memory, attention, and problem-solving.
Starting with just a few Spanish words now can help your child not only build vocabulary but also sharpen cognitive abilities that serve them in all areas of development. And if you’re looking for a structured yet playful way to keep the learning going, paired Spanish classes for preschoolers are a fantastic next step. Your child gets a blend of peer interaction and personal attention that supports both language and social growth.
To learn more about how our classes work, click here to book a free trial class.
10 Simple Spanish Words to Learn This Week
Here are 10 beginner-friendly Spanish words that are perfect for preschoolers.
These words are easy to pronounce, useful in everyday life, and naturally invite repetition, which is key for memorization.
- Hola – Hello
Great for greetings and introducing polite habits. - Adiós – Goodbye
Reinforces routines when saying goodbye to family, friends, or even toys at bedtime. - Gracias – Thank you
One of the most essential words in any language, and easy for preschoolers to remember. - Por favor – Please
Pairs beautifully with gracias and builds early social-emotional skills. - Agua – Water
Kids ask for drinks constantly. Now, they can do it in Spanish. - Pan – Bread
Common and easy to connect to meals or snack time. - Zapato – Shoe
Great for routines like getting dressed—“Where’s your zapato?” - Perro – Dog
If your child loves animals, they’ll love learning this one. - Mano – Hand
Fun to pair with activities like hand-washing or games like “Dame la mano” (give me your hand). - Rojo – Red
The perfect starter color, especially if your child enjoys art or playing with blocks.
You can introduce these words during storytime, while drawing together, or by labeling everyday objects.
Keep it light and playful. Preschoolers retain more when they associate learning with fun.
Keep the Learning Going
If you’re excited to bring Spanish into your child’s daily routine, we’ve made it even easier. Download our free printable: Spanish Starter Flashcards for Preschoolers.
This colorful set includes the 10 words listed above, plus 10 more, designed specifically for ages 3 to 5. It’s perfect for fridge games, storytime prompts, or adding a little Spanish flair to your morning routine.
To get your free copy, click here to download the PDF. (Coming Soon!)
Learning Spanish doesn’t have to start with textbooks or structured drills. It can begin with a few simple, joyful words spoken between you and your child during the day. When your preschooler says “gracias” without being prompted, you’ll know this journey is already paying off.
Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these
“It’s great being able to interact with native speaking people and having a conversation with them not just doing all the work on paper. It’s also an amazing opportunity to speak with native Spanish-speaking people without having to travel to a native Spanish-speaking country.”
– Melanie
“Getting to know wonderful teachers who care about me and my growth in language and education. Evelyn Gomez and Erick Cacao are two of the most extraordinary people I have ever met, and talking with them in Spanish at the beginning of classes is always so fulfilling and greatly contributes to my happiness, joy, and wellbeing.”
– Abby
“I love that my children have the opportunity to speak with a live person. They get to practice Spanish in a 1-1 setting while improve their speaking, writing and reading skills during their lessons. HSA is a great way to learn Spanish for all ages! My children are 6, 9 and 11. My oldest two (9 and 11) have been taking classes with HSA for almost 2 years now. They love seeing their teacher each week. They understand the importance of learning several languages. I’ve seen them grow and learn with HSA. I’m excited to see how they will improve the more classes they take. I highly recommend them. You can’t bet learning and speaking with a live teacher. I’ve tried other programs. It’s just not as motivating.”
– Karie Ann, Parent of 3
Want more free Spanish resources for your kids? Check these out!
- 10 Simple Spanish Words Your Preschooler Can Learn This Week
- 9 Ways to Keep Your Middle Schooler Engaged in Spanish (Even if They’re Already Fluent)
- French vs Spanish: 7 Reasons Spanish Could Be a Strong Long-Term Investment
- 7 Creative Ways to Maintain Spanish Fluency at Home — Perfect for Elementary Kids
- Raising a Bilingual Child: 10 Must-Have Resources Every Parent Needs
- 5 Proven Strategies to Help Your Middle Schooler Excel in 1-on-1 Online Spanish Classes
- 10 Expert Tips to Keep Your Middle Schooler Motivated in Online Language Lessons
- 5 Fun & Easy Spanish Activities to Do at Home with Your Preschooler
The post 10 Simple Spanish Words Your Preschooler Can Learn This Week appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.
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