Children learn by doing, and they learn a language best by talking about what they are doing. Household chores are an excellent way for children to learn vocabulary. These tasks incorporate movement, visual support, repetition at the moment and over time, related vocabulary and a context so that children hear and use language naturally and correctly. Of course, children learn many life skills by doing household chores too.
Using Household Chores to Learn Spanish Vocabulary
- You have to do these activities with your child in order to provide comprehensible input, support, and make it fun. It is not the easiest or fastest way to get housework done. In fact, it is usually easier to do the job yourself. Try to remember that the more important task at hand is language learning.
- Be ready to compromise on the standard of the chores, to go more slowly, and depending on the age of your child, to let her quit in the middle when her attention begins to make it too hard or frustrating.
- Describe everything you do and everything your child does using specific vocabulary. Also, repeat phrases that your child chime in on. For example, if you are brushing the dog, you might say Qué orejas bonitas, Qué cola bonita, Qué cabeza bonita, etc. Sing the phrases to a simple tune to make it even easier!
- It takes time and repetition for children to internalize language. Fortunately, these chores never end, so there is plenty of opportunity to learn!
Household Chores – Example Sentences
Quitar el polvo – Dusting. Kids learn Spanish vocabulary for furniture and rooms.
Aquí tienes un trapo para quitar el polvo. – Here is a dust cloth.
Vamos a la sala a quitar el polvo. – Let’s go dust the living room.
Quita el polvo a la lámpara. – Dust the lamp.
Voy a quitar el polvo a la mesita. – I’m going to dust the table.
Doblar y acomodar ropa – Folding and putting away clothes. Children learn Spanish vocabulary for clothing, linens and colors.
Voy a doblar estos pantalones negros. – I’m going to fold these black pants.
Dobla la toalla blanca por favor. – Please fold the white towel.
Esta blusa es tuya. ¿La puedes doblar? – This is your top. Can you fold it?
Tenemos que emparejar las medias (los calcetines). – We have to match the socks.
Cepillar al perro – Kids learn Spanish vocabulary for body parts.
Voy a cepillar la espalda. – I’m going to brush his back.
¿Puedes cepillar las orejas suavemente? – Can you brush his ears gently?
Cepilla las patas – Brush his paws.
Limpiar aparatos, ventanas, espejos. Children learn Spanish vocabulary for appliances and parts of the house.
Usa el trapo para limpiar el refrigerador. – Use the rag to wipe the refrigerator.
Ponle un poco más de espray a la ventana – Spray the window a little more.
Voy a limpiar los gabinetes – I am going to clean the cabinets.
Lavar los platos (lavar los trastes) – Kids learn Spanish vocabulary for dishes and silverware.
Voy a lavar los platos. Ayúdame a secarlos por favor. – I’m going to wash the dishes. Help me dry them please.
Seca el tenedor. – Dry the fork
¿Puedes enjuagar el vaso? – Can you rinse the glass?
Poner la mesa y recoger la mesa – Setting and clearing the table. Kids learn Spanish vocabulary for dishes, silverware and numbers.
¿Cuántos somos esta noche? – How many of us are there tonight?
Necesitamos cinco platos. – We need five plates.
¿Puedes poner los cubiertos? – Can you put on the silverware?
Pon los servilletas por favor. – Put the napkins on please.
Ayúdame a recoger la mesa. – Help me clear the table.
You may also be interested in this post: Printable Spanish coloring sheets – Parts of the house and household objects
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