In this post: Gather some of the best Spanish learning resources to support the teaching of math in the early years, particularly counting.
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When teaching your child a foreign language, mathematics includes many fundamental first concepts such as numbers, counting and shapes.
Math also provides foundational skills for young children like identifying patterns, sequencing and classifying. Yet so often math is either ignored or only introduced at later stages in a child’s development.
There’s absolutely no reason why math can’t be taught in the early years at home even before your kids start formal schooling. In fact, one article referred to a study that suggests the following:
The more math-oriented activities kids do before kindergarten, the better they’ll understand math in school. Early math skills foretell higher aptitude in high school math and higher rates of college enrollment.
Ok so maybe you’re not thinking of college just yet or the idea of them being all grown up, but it does give some helpful food for thought.
Related post: How to add a foreign language to your homeschooling.
Now, let’s countdown and discover how to teach early years math in Spanish. Uno, dos, tres…¡vamos!
Table of Contents
Early Years Math: What your child actually needs to know
When it comes to teaching math in the early years, there can be varying opinions on what your kids need to know or fears about teaching too much too soon.
It’s important to set a solid foundation of basic skills that your kids can then build upon in school. Eventually, they will also learn how to correctly apply these mathematical concepts to real-life situations.
Here are the important concepts to teach children in their early years:
- Counting verbally from 1-20 for preschool and 1-100 for kindergarten. This includes the ability to count forward and later on learning to count backward.
- Differentiating among numerals
- Identifying shapes
- Classifying and understanding one-to-one correspondence (for example, matching the number of items in a set to the respective numeral)
- Simple addition and subtraction of numbers 0 to 10
- Identifying simple patterns and sequencing
FREE Llama Counting Cards in Spanish
A great way to get started on teaching numbers is to use visual cues such as flashcards. Our Spanish Freebie Library includes counting cards for counting from 1 to 10, as well as free lessons and games.
These cards feature varying numbers of llamas and the choice of 2 numbers on each card. Your child simply has to count the number displayed in the picture and put a peg on the corresponding quantity.
Get creative with the pegs to include anything from LEGO pieces to shapes made from Play-Doh and much more.
If your kids enjoy this activity, then when you’re up for a break from math, take a look at all the other ways you can use Spanish flashcards for language learning.
The Use of Manipulatives in Teaching Math
When it comes to counting, you can start by including the use of manipulatives. These are objects that can be used while teaching to provide a hands-on and practical experience.
Manipulatives are so effective and have been used for years because they present a more tangible way of learning abstract mathematical concepts. They can be practically anything such as blocks, markers, counting bears, cheerios, clear plastic chips and more.
An affordable brand we recommend is Learning Resources for manipulatives found on Amazon.
Including these objects as part of your math lessons while exploring different topics is called thematic instruction. Learn why this is one of the best ways to teach your children Spanish.
P.S Always remember to supervise these activities especially if any of the manipulatives may pose a choking hazard.
Fun Activities to teach Counting in Spanish
Simply counting from 1 to 10 can get monotonous and tiresome. Introducing varied activities can help to make learning numbers in Spanish fun. Incorporate numbers into your regular arts and crafts activities or even have your kids make and decorate their own bilingual number chart to display in their rooms or study area.
Additionally, here are some games you can play:
- La Rayuela (hopscotch): Bring back this childhood game and have fun with your kids. Ensure that each person says the numbers out loud in Spanish as they play the game.
- Roll the dice: On a big sheet of paper write the numbers 1 to 10. Have kids roll the dice, count the dots and circle the corresponding number on the sheet until all the numbers are circled.
- These Spanish number games by PBS are online and will be enjoyable, especially for those who love the show Curious George. You can switch between Spanish and English as necessary and use the closed caption as well for that added help.
Counting Books in Spanish
These are our top recommendations for counting books in Spanish:
1. For Kindergarten and up:Â Cuenta hasta 100.
A beautifully illustrated book with plenty of counting practice up to 100. Since Preschool usually focuses on 1-20, this title is more appropriate for Kindergarten and up.
2. For Preschool: Numbers 1 to 100: Bilingual Firsts:
This bilingual board book by Canticos Bilingual Firsts is beautifully illustrated and will teach your kids how to count from 1 to 10, and 10 to 100 in tens. It’s also interactive with lift-the-flap parts and just under 50 pages.
3. For Preschool: Numbers/Los números
This vibrant bilingual board book is part of a larger series by Kane Miller that focuses on first concepts like colors, numbers and animal names.
4. For Preschool: Wipe Clean/ Libros Pizarra: Del 1 al 10
Counting Videos in Spanish
Count along with these videos. It’s a great way for kids to reinforce and practice their Spanish pronunciation.
Video #1: Using a song called 10 Deditos (Ten Little Fingers), Canta con Jess teaches numbers 1 to 10. This simple yet effective song will have your kids chiming in and counting in no time. A helpful list of vocabulary from the video is also included in the description box.
Video #2: This playlist by Canticos will give you eleven nursery rhymes and songs of varying lengths to choose from. The use of engaging storytelling and catchy melodies will keep learners interested. Each song is sung in Spanish followed by a version in English.
Video #3: For those who have mastered numbers 1 to 10 and are ready for a challenge, use this video which counts all the way up to 20. Be sure to watch with the closed captions on for the English translation as this video is only in Spanish.
Video #4: When it comes to counting and numbers, Sesame Street is an all-time favorite. In this video, Rosita plays the guitar and sings while counting from 1 to 10. Enjoy this classic.
Learn to Count with our Llamitas Spanish Curriculum
Math is a core component of the Llamitas Spanish curriculum. Our open-and-go lessons make teaching your child math easy and fun! You’ll be provided with beautiful illustrations and games throughout to practice math concepts.
Over the course of the 12-unit curriculum, we include counting from 1 to 100, addition and subtraction (0 to 10), 2D shapes, observing patterns and classifying, number bonds, sequencing and more.
Through a combination of worksheets, songs and games, your kids will have fun while learning.
If you’re non-native and worry about your pronunciation, you’d be happy to know that one of the amazing features of the curriculum is that we included native speaker audio. ¡Qué maravilla! ¿Verdad?
Enroll now to get our authentic preschool and kindergarten Spanish curriculum so you can start teaching as soon as possible.
Kimberly is a freelance writer from Trinidad and Tobago who was always fascinated by language and holds a B.A in Spanish with a minor in Linguistics. She considers herself to be a multipotentialite due to her many interests and a few of her favorite things include coffee, pasta and scented candles.