English for Childcare Workers
Boost your communication skills with this essential English-Spanish vocabulary guide tailored for childcare workers. Whether you’re supporting young learners or communicating with families, these key terms will help you navigate everyday situations with confidence.
Vocabulary
This English-Spanish vocabulary guide is designed to help childcare workers communicate effectively in common situations. From caring for children to interacting with parents, these terms cover essential language for daily tasks.
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Basic Greetings and Politeness
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Common Instructions
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Childcare-Related Vocabulary
- Health & Safety
- Behavior and Discipline
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Age 0-2 Years Old Questions & Requests
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Age 1-2 Years Old Questions & Requests
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Age 3-4 Years Old Questions & Requests
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Age 5+ Years Old Questions & Requests
- Common Phrases
Basic Greetings and Politeness
Mastering basic greetings and polite expressions is key to creating a warm and friendly environment for children and parents alike.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Hello | Hola |
| Good morning | Buenos días |
| Good afternoon | Buenas tardes |
| Good night | Buenas noches |
| How are you? | ¿Cómo estás? |
| Please | Por favor |
| Thank you | Gracias |
| You're welcome | De nada |
| Excuse me | Perdón / Disculpe |
| I’m sorry | Lo siento |
Common Instructions
These phrases will help you give clear and simple directions to children during daily routines and activities.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Come here | Ven aquí |
| Sit down | Siéntate |
| Stand up | Levántate |
| Wait a moment | Espera un momento |
| Listen to me | Escúchame |
| Look at me | Mírame |
| Do it like this | Hazlo así |
| Follow me | Sígueme |
| Play with this | Juega con esto |
Childcare-Related Vocabulary
Expand your knowledge with essential terms related to childcare, ensuring smooth communication in all aspects of care.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Diaper | Pañal |
| Bottle | Biberón |
| Crib | Cuna |
| Bedtime | Hora de dormir |
| Nap | Siesta |
| Toy | Juguete |
| Snack | Merienda |
| Meal | Comida |
| Blanket | Manta |
| Pacifier | Chupete |
Health & Safety
Learn the crucial vocabulary needed to discuss health concerns, safety measures, and emergencies.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Wash your hands | Lávate las manos |
| Are you hurt? | ¿Te lastimaste? |
| Do you feel okay? | ¿Te sientes bien? |
| Take medicine | Toma la medicina |
| Call the doctor | Llama al médico |
| Emergency | Emergencia |
| First aid kit | Botiquín de primeros auxilios |
Behavior and Discipline
Handle challenging situations effectively with phrases that promote positive behavior and appropriate discipline.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| No hitting | No pegar |
| Be gentle | Sé suave |
| Share with others | Comparte con los demás |
| Don’t run | No corras |
| Use your words | Usa tus palabras |
| Sit quietly | Siéntate en silencio |
Age 0-2 Years Old Questions & Requests
During this stage, communication focuses on simple phrases and requests to meet the child’s basic needs and help them recognize sounds, objects, and emotions. These phrases are designed to foster early interaction, comfort, and trust.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Are you hungry? | ¿Tienes hambre? |
| Do you want milk? | ¿Quieres leche? |
| Do you need a diaper change? | ¿Necesitas un cambio de pañal? |
| Are you sleepy? | ¿Tienes sueño? |
| Where is your toy? | ¿Dónde está tu juguete? |
| Can you show me your hands? | ¿Puedes mostrarme tus manos? |
| Do you want to play? | ¿Quieres jugar? |
| Can you say "Mama" or "Dada"? | ¿Puedes decir "Mamá" o "Papá"? |
| What sound does a dog make? | ¿Qué sonido hace un perro? |
| Let’s sing a song! | ¡Cantemos una canción! |
| It’s time to eat. | Es hora de comer. |
| Do you want your blanket? | ¿Quieres tu manta? |
| Can you wave bye-bye? | ¿Puedes decir adiós con la mano? |
| Where are your feet? | ¿Dónde están tus pies? |
| Do you want your pacifier? | ¿Quieres tu chupete? |
| Let’s read a book together. | Leamos un libro juntos. |
| Can you smile for me? | ¿Puedes sonreír para mí? |
| It’s time for a nap. | Es hora de una siesta. |
| Can I have a high five? | ¿Me puedes "chocar los cinco"? |
Age 1-2 Years Old Questions & Requests
As toddlers start exploring the world around them, they respond to more direct questions and engage in simple actions. These phrases help guide their curiosity, encourage language development, and build basic understanding
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Do you want more? | ¿Quieres más? |
| What is this? (while pointing) | ¿Qué es esto? |
| Can you clap your hands? | ¿Puedes aplaudir? |
| Where is your nose? | ¿Dónde está tu nariz? |
| Do you want a hug? | ¿Quieres un abrazo? |
| What color is this? | ¿De qué color es esto? |
| Can you say "hello"? | ¿Puedes decir "hola"? |
| Are you thirsty? | ¿Tienes sed? |
| What do you hear? | ¿Qué oyes? |
| Where is your belly? | ¿Dónde está tu barriga? |
| Can you jump up and down? | ¿Puedes saltar arriba y abajo? |
| Do you want to hold my hand? | ¿Quieres agarrar mi mano? |
| What do you want to eat? | ¿Qué quieres comer? |
| Can you say "please" and "thank you"? | ¿Puedes decir "por favor" y "gracias"? |
| Can you find the ball? | ¿Puedes encontrar la pelota? |
| Where is the cat/dog? | ¿Dónde está el gato/perro? |
| Let’s play hide and seek. | Juguemos a las escondidas. |
| Can you give me a big hug? | ¿Me das un gran abrazo? |
| It’s time to clean up. | Es hora de recoger. |
Age 3-4 Years Old Questions & Requests
These phrases inspire creativity, collaboration, and language development while supporting social and emotional growth.
| What are you doing? | ¿Qué estás haciendo? |
|---|---|
| What is your favorite toy? | ¿Cuál es tu juguete favorito? |
| Can you jump like a frog? | ¿Puedes saltar como una rana? |
| What is that? (pointing to objects) | ¿Qué es eso? |
| Do you want to build something? | ¿Quieres construir algo? |
| Can you count to five? | ¿Puedes contar hasta cinco? |
| What color is the sky? | ¿De qué color es el cielo? |
| What animal do you like? | ¿Qué animal te gusta? |
| Do you want to draw? | ¿Quieres dibujar? |
| Can you tell me a story? | ¿Puedes contarme una historia? |
| What is your favorite game? | ¿Cuál es tu juego favorito? |
| Can you help me clean up? | ¿Puedes ayudarme a recoger? |
| Do you want to go outside? | ¿Quieres salir? |
| Can you share with your friend? | ¿Puedes compartir con tu amigo? |
| What do you see outside? | ¿Qué ves afuera? |
| Do you want to color? | ¿Quieres colorear? |
| Can you match these shapes? | ¿Puedes emparejar estas formas? |
| How many fingers am I holding up? | ¿Cuántos dedos estoy mostrando? |
| What is your favorite snack? | ¿Cuál es tu merienda favorita? |
Age 5+ Years Old Questions & Requests
Older children thrive on engaging conversations and meaningful activities. These phrases encourage independence, critical thinking, and deeper connections through thoughtful interaction.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| What are you doing? | ¿Qué estás haciendo? |
| What is your favorite toy? | ¿Cuál es tu juguete favorito? |
| Can you jump like a frog? | ¿Puedes saltar como una rana? |
| What is that? (pointing to objects) | ¿Qué es eso? |
| Do you want to build something? | ¿Quieres construir algo? |
| Can you count to five? | ¿Puedes contar hasta cinco? |
| What color is the sky? | ¿De qué color es el cielo? |
| What animal do you like? | ¿Qué animal te gusta? |
| Do you want to draw? | ¿Quieres dibujar? |
| Can you write your name? | ¿Puedes escribir tu nombre? |
| What do you want to be when you grow up? | ¿Qué quieres ser de grande? |
| Can you help me with this puzzle? | ¿Puedes ayudarme con este rompecabezas? |
| What story do you want to read? | ¿Qué historia quieres leer? |
| Can you tie your shoes? | ¿Puedes atarte los zapatos? |
| What game do you want to play today? | ¿Qué juego quieres jugar hoy? |
| Do you want to play tag? | ¿Quieres jugar a la mancha? |
| How was your day? | ¿Cómo fue tu día? |
| Do you want to make something fun? | ¿Quieres hacer alg divertido? |
| Can you guess what I’m thinking of? | ¿Puedes adivinar en qué pienso? |
Common Phrases
These general phrases will be helpful for a variety of situations, making your interactions more natural and effective.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Great job! | ¡Buen trabajo! |
| Well done! | ¡Bien hecho! |
| You’re doing great! | ¡Lo estás haciendo muy bien! |
| Keep it up! | ¡Sigue así! |
| I’m proud of you! | ¡Estoy orgulloso de ti! |
| That’s awesome! | ¡Eso es increíble! |
About the Author:
Specializations: Spanish Tutors on Zoom
Bio: 28-year-old graphic designer and writer with 7 years of experience, passionate about communication in all its aspects as the main tool to forge links. I consider myself a detailed, patient, and empathetic person, so even if you consider yourself a difficult student, I will know how to guide you to reach the level of Spanish you need for whatever activity you have in mind. As a student of Literature, I always had the same love for books and their stories, as well as for the Spanish language and its formation. I believe that the best way to learn is to be passionate about what you are learning and that is what I always want to achieve with my students. I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults, so I have knowledge about the different learning stages that a person can go through and the different strategies to approach them.
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