By: Vanessa Sandoval
Looking for simple, meaningful ways to build language skills this summer? The TALK/HABLAR early literacy practice is all about encouraging children to express themselves, describe what they see, and engage in conversation during everyday moments.
A great book to inspire this is Bye Land, Bye Sea by Rene Spencer and Rodolfo Montalvo, a title featured on the 2025 Spanish CLEL Bell Shortlist and winner of the TALK category for the 2025 English CLEL Bell Awards (it even includes this fun activity sheet!). This story invites children to observe the world around them, making it the perfect pairing for interactive, language-rich activities.
Activity 1: Create Your Explorer Tools (Let’s Get Ready to Explore!)
Before heading out on your adventure, start with a fun, hands-on craft! Children can create their own refracting telescope and binoculars, just like the ones the girl and boy use in the story.
Materials:
- 2 paper towel rolls (for a telescope)
- 2 toilet paper rolls (for binoculars)
- Scissors
- Tape or glue
- String or yarn
- Markers, stickers, or crayons for decorating
Directions:
Decorate your telescope and binoculars however you’d like! For step-by-step guidance, you can find instructions below.
Refracting Telescope
Image and instructions from Make a telescope | National Geographic Kids.
Binoculars
Image and tutorial from Make Your Own Binoculars!.
Now your little explorers are ready to observe the world around them; near or far!
Activity 2: “Veo, Veo / I Spy” – A Bilingual Talking Game
Turn any outing into a fun bilingual language game. Whether you are on a hike, going to the grocery store, or simply in your backyard, the possibilities are endless.
How to play:
Caregiver: Veo, veo! (I see, I see!)
Child: ¿Qué ves? (What do you see?)
Caregiver: Una cosa… (A thing…)
Child: ¿Qué cosa es? (What thing is it?)
Caregiver: Una cosa de color ____. (Something the color ____.)
Take turns guessing and describing!
You can also turn the game into this song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klGK7ehiDPg
In Janelle Ortiz’s presentation you can find how to also incorporate this in your Storytime.
Make It Your Own
You can easily expand this game depending on your child’s age:
- Use colors for younger children
- Add descriptions (big, small, round, tall)
- Try categories (something that flies, something you eat, something you wear)
- Turn it into a scavenger hunt by keeping track of what you find
Talking helps children build vocabulary, strengthen comprehension, and connect with the world around them. Best of all… it can happen anywhere, anytime.
Talk Is Everywhere
The beauty of the TALK practice is that it doesn’t require special materials or a formal setting. Just like in Bye Land, Bye Sea, it happens in everyday moments, while walking, playing, or exploring together.
With a great book, homemade crafts, and a simple game like Veo, veo, families can turn everyday moments into opportunities to connect, communicate, and grow language skills together.
So, this summer, let’s get outside, look a little closer, and most of all, talk.
