Teaching Spanish to young children has cognitive benefits and opens doors to a larger world. Research shows that learning a second language as a child links to cognitive benefits and greater speaking skills. Foreign language learning helps children understand their native language better and score higher on standardized tests. It also increases children's self-esteem, cultural understanding, and English learning abilities. While most other parts of the world introduce foreign languages in elementary school, the U.S. lags behind in typically starting in middle school. Language learning is important given Spanish is the second most spoken language globally.