In this post: Learn fun attention getters in Spanish for kids! These Spanish call and response chants are great for any classroom, homeschool, or bilingual family setting. Post may contain affiliate links.
Capturing kids’ attention can be challenging, especially in a busy classroom or homeschool environment. Establishing a fun and effective call-and-response system can make a world of difference for your bilingual family or Spanish learners! Here are some fun Spanish attention getters that will not only get your kids’ attention but also make learning and practicing Spanish more enjoyable!
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Why Use Attention Grabbers in Spanish with Kids?
Whether you’re teaching in a Spanish classroom, raising bilingual kids, or working with Spanish learners, call-and-response phrases are a fantastic way to quickly bring order and focus. They help create a routine, signal to the kids that it’s time to pay attention, and provide a fun way to practice Spanish. Here are some tips for using and teaching Spanish attention grabbers effectively:
- Introduce Gradually: Start by introducing one or two call-and-response phrases. Use them consistently until the kids are familiar with them before adding more. You can use a variety of attention grabbers for different purposes!
- Explain the Purpose: Let the kids know why you’re using these phrases. Explain that it’s a fun way to get everyone’s attention, practice Spanish, and shift into a new routine.
- Model the Behavior: Demonstrate how the call-and-response works. Show them how you expect them to respond and what should happen afterward (e.g., silence, readiness to listen).
- Practice Regularly: Incorporate the phrases into your daily routine. Repetition helps reinforce the habit and ensures that the kids respond quickly.
- Use Visual Cues: Combine verbal call-and-responses with visual signals like raising a hand or using a specific gesture to reinforce the message.
- Be Consistent: Consistency is key. Use the call-and-response phrases at the same points during activities, such as transitions, before giving instructions, or to regain focus.
- Make It Fun: Use a lively and engaging tone. Encourage the kids to respond enthusiastically. You can even turn it into a game or challenge to see how quickly and accurately they can respond.
- Mix It Up: Once the kids are comfortable with a few phrases, introduce new ones to keep things fresh and exciting. This also helps expand their vocabulary.
My Favorite Attention Getters in Spanish
Now the best part! Here are 30 of favorite attention getters in Spanish that you can use as call and response either in your classroom or home.
Remember that this blog post is enabled with text-to-speech in Spanish. To hear a Spanish attention grabber read aloud, simply highlight it and click the blue speaker to listen and learn!
- Hola, hola – Coca cola (Hello, hello – Coca cola)
- ¿Qué te pasa, calabaza? – Nada, nada, limonada (What’s up, pumpkin? – Nothing, nothing, lemonade)
- Uno, dos, tres – Cuatro, cinco, seis (One, two, three – Four, five, six)
- Sol brillante – Todos adelante (Shining sun – Everyone forward)
- A, e, i, o, u – ¡El burro sabe más que tú! (A, e – I, o, u – The donkey knows more than you!)
- Uno, dos, tres – ¡Estamos listos otra vez! (One, two, three – We’re ready again!)
- Montaña alta – Escucha y no salta (Tall mountain – Listen and don’t jump)
- Hada, hada – ahora no digo nada (fairy, fairy – now I don’t say anything)
- Olas del mar – Listos para empezar (Waves of the sea – Ready to begin)
- Llama, llama – En pijama (Llama, llama – In pajamas)
- Mira, escucha – ¡Vamos a la lucha! (Look, listen – Let’s go to the fight!)
- Uno, dos tres – ¡No ingles! (One, two, three – No English!)
- Rosa en flor – Atención, por favor (Rose in bloom – Attention, please)
- Manos arriba – ¡Escucha activa! (Hands up – Active listening!)
- Hola, hola – Caracola (Hello, hello – Seashell)
- El agua dice – Shhhhh (The water says – Shhhhh)
- A guardar, a guardar – Cada cosa en su lugar (Time to put away, time to put away – Everything in its place)
- Qué tal – ¡General! (What’s up – General!)
- Arriba, abajo – ¡Silencio, trabajo! (Up, down – Silence, work!)
- Todos callados – ¡Y muy preparados! (Everyone quiet – And very prepared!)
- Abeja zumba – Atención sin rumba (Bee buzzes – Attention without party)
- Zapatero… – …a tus zapatos (Shoemaker – Stick to your shoes)
- El que va a la villa… – …pierde su silla. (He who goes to the village – Loses his seat)
- Otra cosa… – …mariposa (Something else – Butterfly)
- Caracol, caracol… – …todos en control (Snail, snail – Everyone in control)
- Burbujita, burbujita… – …atención ahorita (Little bubble, little bubble – Attention right now)
- En boca cerrada – No entran moscas (In a closed mouth – Flies don’t enter)
- La lechuza, la lechuza… – dice shhhhh
(The owl, the owl… – goes shhhhh) - Brilla el sol… – todos en control (The sun shines… – Everyone in control)
- Dragón, dragón… – atención sin distracción (Dragon, dragon… – Attention without distraction)
More Spanish Learning Resources
If you found these Spanish attention grabbers helpful, be sure to check out my Spanish homeschool curricula and Spanish workbooks for kids! They are perfect for bilingual families and Spanish learners, offering engaging and comprehensive resources to help everyone learn more Spanish at home.
Using these Spanish call and response attention grabbers in your classroom or at home can make a significant difference in maintaining focus and creating a fun Spanish learning environment. These phrases help get everyone’s attention, signal it’s time to focus, and provide a playful way to practice Spanish. I encourage you to try them out and see the positive impact they can have on your teaching or parenting routine.
Do you have a favorite attention grabber, or have you come up with a new one? Share your ideas in the comments section below – I’d love to hear from you!