I have yet to meet a little kid who doesn't like music. Mine are no exception. They both love to dance, but I think they like singing even more. My husband plays the guitar and is a huge music fan, so music always fills our home. But it was only recently that I realize I hadn't taught my 3-year-old son the songs from my own childhood that his sister already knew by the time she was his age.
So I decided to go back to some of the children's music CDs we own, and all of a sudden I remembered how many good ones we have. Some are strictly in Spanish and are full of traditional songs, but others are bilingual and include original songs, which I promise your kids will love.
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Music is one of the best tools parents have when raising bilingual children. Why? Because exposing your children to Spanish should be as fun as possible or it will become a chore and your kids will refuse to speak it.
So check out these 5 children's music CDs ¡y a bailar!
Salsa for Kittens & Puppies
My kids and I discoverd Salsa for Kittens & Puppies last year and we were immediately hooked. Grammy-winning producer Aaron "Luis" Levinson of Spanish Harlem Orchestra fame is behind this CD, so I'm not surprised it's so awesome. It comes with a little booklet that tells the story of the a group of gatitos y perritos and their amazing salsa band.
Piñata Party by Moona Luna
Piñata Party is the first of two children's music CDs released by Sandra Velazquez the amazing songwriter behind the Latin band Pistolera. It's totally bilingual and I guarantee your kids will be rocking out to her tunes instantly!
Nathalia from here to there
We just discovered Nathalia from here to there and we can't get enough of it. This bilingual CD is fun and its songs are catchy and super danceable. But the best part is all the Latin music genres it includes. My kids' favorite song is "Muévete".
Putumayo Kids Latin Playground
Putumayo Kids Latin Playground is a must have even if you're not raising bilingual kids. This eclectic CD includes such classics as "Guantanamera" and "Cielito Lindo" performed by artists from countries all over Latin America.
Spanish for kids: ¡A Bailar! by Whistlefritz
Spanish for kids: ¡A Bailar! may just be one of my youngest child's favorite CD. It includes several traditional children's songs lots of us grew up with like "De colores" and "Los pollitos" and even children who don't speak a lot of Spanish will have a good time listening and dancing to the songs.
