First words in three languages

Ages 0 to 2 A grown-up reads and plays along · about 5 minutes

Read together

Hello! Hola! Kumusta! Say hello to the sun.

Thank you. Gracias. Salamat.

Do it

1. Pick two or three words from the list and use them all day, with a gesture.
2. hello, hola, kumusta (wave)
3. thank you, gracias, salamat (touch your chin and move your hand out, or clap)
4. more, más, pa (tap your fingertips together)
5. water, agua, tubig (point to the cup)
6. bye-bye, adiós, paalam (wave)
7. Say the word and show the thing. Then wait. Celebrate any sound.

Talk about it

• Which word does your child try first?
• Which gesture do they like best?

For the grown-up

Use the languages your family really speaks. If you only speak one of these three, keep that one strong, and add the others for fun with family or friends.

Early words are often sounds, such as “ba” or “mama”. Count them all. You can read “Growing up with more than one language” in the parents' guides.

Mark as done

← Previous lesson Next lesson →

Where this comes from

This is a play and practice activity with no factual claims to source.

Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed. Please read it before sharing it with a child.