advice on beginners phrase book

[MusicMama]

Hi everyone,

I'm new and wanted your advice on a Spanish phrase book geared towards families with small children, if there even is such a thing. I have an elementary grasp of Spanish, and would like to teach it to my two babies by incorporating it into our daily routine. I taught my little ones sign language by memorizing a sign or two, then teaching it to them. They now have a large ASL vocab. I'd like to do the same with Spanish. I'm getting children's books in Spanish from the library, but wondered if there was a reference etc., you recommend to beginner teachers. I'm really excited about this, and look forward to becoming proficient in Spanish myself as I teach! My lil sis is a Spanish major and a great resource, but alas, doesn't have time to be a full-time tutor for me! Thanks in advance for your ideas/suggestions.

[Nan in Mass]

I used a book called Kids Stuff French to do what you are talking about. My child was older when I began, but he now can understand French DVDs, have conversations, and read children's books in French! The project was amazingly successful. My own French has improved a lot as well. They make the same book in Spanish. http://www.amazon.com/Kids-Stuff-Spanish-Therese-Slevin/dp/0960614028/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254786860&sr=1-1

Mine was organized around activities like, getting dressed, bathtime, and eating, and it included phrases like "good job", "be careful", "don't do that", or "did you hurt yourself". It wasn't a big book but it was very useful because it contained the sorts of phrases I needed, not phrases like "I would like to buy a one-way ticket" or "How much are stamps, please".

-Nan

[MusicMama]

That's exactly what I was looking for! Thanks so much!

[Joan in Geneva]

They look interesting and I found they have German!

[cathmom]

Thanks for that link! I never heard of that book.

[Earth Angel_79]

I was wondering if Play and Learn Spanish (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0071441484/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance) would be similiar? It is certainly cheaper. I've askd for reviews on the K-8 board, but maybe I should ask here too. I'm interested in creating the same scenario as the OP. (If you don't mind me piggybacking.)

[Joan in Geneva]

I used a book called Kids Stuff French to do what you are talking about.
-Nan

Our German and French copies arrived yesterday and my daughter loves them!