Back 2 Preschool Essentials: New Spanish Words to Teach Your Child

As the new school year approaches, it's time to start thinking about back-to-school or preschool shopping! This year, why not turn your shopping trip into a fun language learning experience for your little one? By teaching your child the Spanish words for common school items, you'll be giving them a head start on bilingual education while crossing items off your list. Let's explore 10 essential back-to-school items and their Spanish translations, perfect for expanding your child's vocabulary.

1. Pants (pantalones → pahn-tah-lohnes):
   A staple in your boy’s or girl’s wardrobe, a comfortable pair of pants are crucial for school attire. Teach your child "los pantalones" (the pants) as you browse through the variety of options at Gerber Childrenswear. You can opt for classic but comfy blue jeans, from Gerber Childrenswear that feature a comfortable elastic waist for all-day play or soft and stretchy joggers!
   
2. Shirt (camisa → kah-mee-sah):
   New clean shirts for your little boy or girl are a must-have as you prepare your child’s preschool wardrobe. As you shop together, online or in-store, point out different styles and colors, saying " las camisas" (the shirts) to help your child associate the word with the item. Gerber Childrenswear’s classic and comfy t-shirts guarantee comfortable and action-packed days for your little one. 
3. Sweater (suéter → sweh-tehr):
   For those chilly mornings or classrooms, a good cozy sweater is essential to include in your back to school shopping list. Practice saying "el suéter" (the sweater) as you choose the perfect layer to keep your little one warm. A lightweight but cozy sweater makes for a perfect everyday choice our jackets offer a more structured look to keep little ones warm and school-chic! 
   
4. Sneakers (zapatos → sah-pah-toh):
   A pair of comfortable sneakers are crucial for active kids. Help your little one take on their days on the right foot with a trendy and durable pair that they’ll love to put on every morning. Try on different pairs, repeating "las zapatillas" to reinforce the Spanish word for sneakers. And they’ll love showing up to preschool with our sweet colorblock sneakers or sparkling toddler girl shoes to compliment any outfit perfectly! 
   
5. Books (libros → lee-brohs):
   Don't forget to include educational items that will help you further your child’s education at home, especially when it comes to continuing your child’s bilingualism journey! Summer may have allowed for some more free time to practice your child’s second language, but with school starting, it’s key to use free time to squeeze in as much language practice as possible so your child retains everything they’ve learned and continue to learn. Binibi's bilingual sound books are perfect for continuing Spanish practice at home in a fun and engaging way. When school begins, bilingual kids will likely be practicing English for the majority of the day, so it’s especially important to make an effort to continue speaking the target language at home and practicing it as much as possible. Say “libro” as you encourage your child to pick a bilingual book they love to read. 
   
6. Backpack (mochila → moh-chee-lah):
   Every student needs a sturdy backpack, and this will often be the back to school item kids are most excited to pick out! Help your child pick out their favorite design while teaching them to say "la mochila" (the backpack) in Spanish.
7. Water bottle (botella de agua → boh-teh-yah deh ah-gwah):
   Staying hydrated throughout the school day is important and so is picking out a water bottle that will get your child excited to do so! Practice saying "la botella de agua" (the water bottle) as you choose a durable and leak-proof option that your child can use daily for school. 
8. Notebook (cuaderno → kwah-dehr-noh):
   For all those important notes and doodles, a good notebook is essential. Teach your child "el cuaderno" (the notebook) as you select one with an eye-catching cover. 
   
9. Pencils (lápices → lah-peeses):
   No school supply list is complete without pencils. Count them out in Spanish as you add "los lápices" (the pencils) to your shopping basket and get your child excited about everything they’ll learn this year!
10. Markers (marcadores → mahr-kah-dohres):
    For creative projects, markers are a must. Explore different colors while practicing "los marcadores" (the markers) with your child and getting them excited about creating masterpiece drawings with their friends at school! 

Remember, learning a new language is all about consistency and making it fun. As you shop for these back-to-school essentials, take the time to repeat the Spanish words, create simple sentences, and even make a game out of finding the items in the store. By incorporating language learning into everyday activities like shopping, you're setting your child up for success in their bilingual journey. Not to mention, getting them really excited for heading back to school!  ¡Feliz regreso a clases! (Happy back to school!)

This blog series is powered by Binibi, an education company dedicated to promoting bilingualism at the earliest ages. Binibi makes bilingual sound books for children ages 0-5 that are designed for parents to have a fun and easy way to introduce a second language at home, from day one. Binibi is dedicated to creating reading experiences that are both entertaining and educational, and to encouraging parents and caregivers to spend time with their babies through reading together. Binibi seeks to promote language development in children and to encourage families to raise bilingual children.

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