6 Spanish Kids Songs for Fun Sing Alongs!
/In Yo Re Mi’s musical yoga adventures, we journey to all sorts of destinations. These adventures provide a lens into new environments: our Italian adventure explores canals, architecture, and Ancient Rome. Our camping adventure shares our favorite campfire food - S’mores!
We’ve heard from parents and teachers how engaged the children are when exposed to new information in our Yo Re Mi adventures; the children get excited to hear about a new place, and even ask questions later in the week, extending the learning beyond yoga time!
Sometimes, our travels take us to lands where many languages are spoken. And sometimes, we even sing songs in those languages.
Language Learning in Early Education Environments
Exposure to new environments can help children with adaptability and self-regulation. By increasing the awareness of the diversity of the world around us, we can foster inclusion, equity, and communication.
One of the greatest ways to expose children to new environments is to teach about cultures and traditions. In early education environments children frequently discuss topics such as “Where I Live” and “The World Around Us” which fosters this exploration.
As Spanish is spoken in many cultures around the world, it is an especially helpful language to include in such studies.
According to Lead With Languages (A national campaign of ACTFL), “Research shows that learning a second language boosts problem-solving, critical-thinking, and listening skills, in addition to improving memory, concentration, and the ability to multitask. Children proficient in other languages also show signs of enhanced creativity and mental flexibility.”
6 Easy Kids Spanish Songs that are Fun and Engaging
Learning a second language can create new connections and bridges in classroom communities (and beyond). Singing in another language is even better! Whether using sing-along Spanish songs, storytelling, or pairing songs with movement (like yoga and fun animal poses), here are some of our favorite kids songs in Spanish — and why we love them.
1. Buenos Días (Kids Hello Song in Spanish)
In New York City, around 23% of the population speaks Spanish. In Los Angeles and Miami, it's more than 30%. As we celebrate diversity in our classrooms, we look for ways to value and engage every child’s contributions to the group.
“Buenos Dias” is a terrific way to start the morning. It includes familiar greeting phrases which are easily transferred to use in daily life. For another “Hello Song” that includes each child’s name, try this original children’s “Hello Song” (English) or pair the two together!
LYRICS:
Buenos días
Buenos días
Buenos días
¿Cómo estás?
Estoy bien
Estoy bien
Estoy bien
Gracias!
Good morning
Good morning
Good morning
How are you?
I’m fine (or I’m well)
I’m fine
I’m fine
Thank you!
2. La Guitarra (Numbers in Spanish)
Who says language learning can’t be fun? La Guitarra teaches that guitars have six strings, while teaching the number 1 through 6 in Spanish. In this Spanish language children’s sing-along, we are exploring language through rhythm and song. This song also reinforces greetings like “Hola” and “Adios.”
3. Canción de los Animales Mexicanos (Animal Yoga in Spanish)
Learning numbers and animal names in Spanish could be a very helpful way to engage a Spanish-speaking child in a predominantly English-language learning environment - and to establish connection within a diverse group of learners.
In "Canción," we learn the names of animals that come from Mexico, move our bodies in creative ways to make the shapes of those animals, and hear percussion and brass instruments that are popular in Latin music.
If you love “Canción”, your kids will enjoy this 20-minute Yo Re Mi Mexico Adventure on our app! It is a collaboration with our favorite animator Preston Spurlock.
He's a fantastic songwriter, filmmaker and visual artist, and works with independent bands and venues in NYC to make cool posters, videos, and projections. We're so grateful that he brought his immense talents to this project. You’ll see his animated songs and backgrounds all over the Yo Re Mi app!
4. La Serpiente Se Acerca (Baby Cobra Pose)
We love to find creative ways to instruct yoga poses - it’s what we do best! In “La Serpiente,” we take a very sibilant (lots of s’s) phrase - “La serpiente se acerca” (The snake is coming) and use it to rise into Baby Cobra pose.
After we rise, we lower down on a long hiss. This encourages a long release of breath, to be followed naturally by a deep inhalation. The singing and music is very repetitive, which has a calming effect.
In this cool animation, we include some shakers and rattles in the recording - percussive elements popular in Latin music - which also mimic the sound of a rattlesnake!
READ NEXT: More children's music about animals and animal yoga favorites!
- Children’s Animal Songs You Need to Know
- Guide to Animal Yoga with Kids
- Fun Water-Themed Activities with Kids Musical Yoga (including animals that live in the water!)
5. Adiós, Mis Amigos (Kids Goodbye Song in Spanish)
Any time we join a group, whether in classroom, on Zoom, for a birthday party, or anywhere else, we always finish class with a goodbye song.
Yo Re Mi families will know a series of them - and we love creating new ones for new adventures. For our Mexico Adventure, we wrote “Adios, Mis Amigos” (Goodbye, My Friends).
The words “Adios” and “Amigos” contain the long O vowel - which creates strong vibrations in the body, aiding in relaxation and centering. By using “Amigos” or “Friends” to refer to the group, we are choosing an inclusive group pronoun which includes everyone easily.
6. Suni Paz: La Rana
We have recently been obsessed with the music of Suni Paz. Suni has been performing and recording for decades, with a simple and beautiful style of singing children’s music. The Album “Canciones Para el Recreo” (Songs for the Playground) is a welcome addition to our list of kids favorites.
Singing in Spanish can be fun and very meaningful to children and families. Once you’ve practiced the songs we’ve shared above - try your hand and something faster and more challenging. Have fun - and keep singing!
Save this article for later and don’t forget to download the Yo Re Mi app for children’s mindfulness and musical yoga videos.
