Our little multilingual family has some exciting news! We will be moving to South America (Ecuador) in 2014!

This definitely poses new challenges and exciting opportunities as a family who has multilingualism at the center of mostly everything we do (i.e., doctors visits, children’s books). We are already thinking about how our linguistic interactions will change as we establish ourselves in our new home aka the middle of the world.

For example, we have considered changing our use of Spanish for English with our children once we are in Ecuador, especially if we decide to put them in a Spanish school. We have also started to get really excited about the different dialects and languages our girls will be exposed to which include: Quechua, Spanish (& other Spanish varieties), English, & possibly a fourth as many of the private schools in Ecuador offer other European languages (i.e., French, German).

Another change we have already started implementing here is the purchasing of English books! In an earlier post I wrote about getting rid of all of our children’s books written in English that we had in our home in order to increase the status of Spanish in our daily life. I am now having a blast purchasing English (and bilingual) books to add to our collection.

On another note, I am also overthinking the challenges that lie ahead. For example, I, personally, have never lived in another country. In fact, I pride myself in learning Spanish in the U.S. and wonder how the new context will shape my children and I as multilinguals. In other words, I strongly identify as a Spanish speaking Chicana and hope I will be able to pass that on to my nenas. I look forward to sharing our journey over the next few months as we make this huge international move. Please feel free to offer any advice (such as books to read) about moving internationally with little children.

{Photo by ximenacab}

This reading product has been so much fun to use with my three year old who is considered a “pre-reader” which basically means she is developing reading skills. For example, she is “reading” by moving her little pointer finger across the letters as the sparkup reads the book. It’s such an interesting product because it’s like new technology (sparkup recorder) meets old technology (paper books) where your little one can hear some of her favorite books read by mommy, daddy, or other special family members. We have a list of people we would like to record so that my daughter can hear family members voices when she misses them. The only characteristic that was a little challenging was figuring out how to record and use it but after we got passed that we have really enjoyed the magical book reader. One way we have decided to use it is by leaving it in my daughter’s “esquina de lectura” (reading corner) instead of her bedroom. In other words, we have tried to create different spots in the house where she can develop the joy of reading and in that corner she now has a cool, new little device where she can choose some of her favorite books that will automatically be read by whomever we record whether it’s abuelo, papi, or mami! We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Here’s how it works:

The Sparkup Magical Book Reader clips onto nearly any of  your child’s books and then “reads” aloud that book in the voice you recorded in any language! You can also download pre-recorded audio files of books which are read by professionals and feature sound effects. Sparkup can store up to 50 books. To find out more visit the Sparkup website.

The Giveaway!

We’re giving away one Sparkup book to reader to one lucky winner! All you have to do is leave a comment sharing the title of your child’s favorite book. Then, enter the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Image copyright of Sparkup – The Magical Book Reader © 2013.}

Ingenio’s Smart Play Pad is one of those toys your child will love tapping to discover new sounds that make up letters, colors, and words they may or may not already know. What I liked about this toy was that it had a bilingual switch where your child could hear these words in Spanish or English. The other thing that made this toy special for my nena was that she thought it felt like it was her very own “pad,” you know, the kind all adults seem to have. She also liked singing to the familiar songs it played like twinkle, twinkle little star. If you are looking for a kid-friendly gadget that will reinforce what your little one is learning while keeping them entertained, then this toy is it! We hope your little one enjoys it as much as ours.

The Giveaway!

We’re giving away one SmartPlay Pad to one lucky winner. All you have to do is leave us a comment letting us know why you would like to win this toy and for who. Then, enter the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The U.S. does not have an official language. English certainly plays a vital role and I would be lying if I thought it wasn’t a necessary part of an individuals’ linguistic repertoire in order to succeed in this country. That being said, children at an early age pick up on the high status English carries in their everyday interactions.

My nena, for example, already pegs anyone outside her home as “English-speaking.” I have very few friends and family that, in my nenas eyes, are Spanish speakers or bilingual (even though most of my friends are bilingual) because of the status English plays in her interactions with them. For these simple reasons alone I make it a point to attempt to increase the status of Spanish in our everyday lives.

One very strategic move I have made is to make sure all of her doctor visits are with Spanish-speaking, hence bilingual, practitioners. I am even willing to drive out of my way to make sure she see’s a bilingual doctor. In fact, I prefer for them to be female as well. I guess you can see my motives are two-fold. I want her to have role models she can identify with as she develops her identity as a bilingual Latina.

Recently we took her to her first dental appoint. It was important for me to find a Spanish speaking pediatric dentist because we had been talking about what dentists do entirely in Spanish and I wanted my daughter to make the connections we had talked about at home once she was seated in front of her actual dental practitioner. I called at least four different pediatric dental offices and solicited information from my friends on facebook to find a doctor closer our home.

Just like searching for the ideal bilingual school environment, I learned that there are other aspects of choosing the right doctor for my daughter. These aspects include considering whether or not the staff is kid-friendly and if the office had a ambience that made children feel comfortable. Well, all in all, we were lucky to find Texas Tooth Fairies Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Singletary, a Venezuela native, and her staff were amazing. Not only did my nena get her teeth cleaned without a problem she actually LOVED the experience, as did I, because it was mostly in Spanish.

What are some strategic moves you have made to increase the status of Spanish in your everyday interactions?

{Photo courtesy of Suzanne}

El Chavo may very well be one of the most well known Spanish-speaking characters (alongside Mafalda) in Latin America, Spain and the Caribbean.  In the U.S. he is equally as popular among immigrant communities and children of immigrants like myself.

To be honest I haven’t seen the show since I was kid, but receiving these toys in the mail brought back many memories.  My three year old was thrilled to put the little “títeres” (or puppets) on her fingers and pretend the characters of El Chavo, Popis, Don Ramon, Quico, and Ñoño were all talking with one another.

I think what made reviewing this product extra special was that these characters are unique to Mexico, where my parents are from. In other words, many of the books or characters that my daughter is exposed to are literal translations or interpretations of English-speaking (British or U.S.) stories. The characters and stories of El Chavo del 8 come from a community I identify with and one that helps make me (& my family) bicultural.

I think the creators of El Chavo Toys are very aware of their bilingual and bicultural audience in North America. I hope you enjoy interacting with the characters from El Chavo along with passing on their stories with the next generation: our bilingual children.

The Giveaway!

We’re giving away one grand prize pack to one winner (1 plush, 1 hat, 1 figure, 1 finger puppet, 1 talking Chavo) and one smaller prize pack (1 plush & 1 hat) to TWO winners. All you have to do is leave us a comment sharing your fondest memory of El Chavo or share your favorite ‘El Chavo’ saying with us! Then, enter the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Some parents stop speaking to their children in their second language when the child seems “confused” because they use both languages simultaneously. The fact of the matter is that this is the way languages evolve when they come into contact. In fact, I have been meaning to record my 3-year-old’s colorful use of two languages.

Just the other day she said, “Rafa (her older cousin), do you want to comer?” Another example is when she was asking me to buy her a ball and she said, “Mami, necesito ese (pointing to coins on counter) money para comprar una pelota.” Adults do it, too! The other day my very bilingual husband created a new word spontaneously when speaking to our daughter (Hija in Spanish):

Hija: ¡Voy a saltar! (from a table to the couch)!

Me: Sabrina, por favor no saltes, le puedes dar un owie a tu hermanita y a ti misma.

Hija: Quiero saltar, mami. ¡Voy a saltar!

Me: No, mi amor. No saltes ahí.

Hubby: Sabrina, por favor no jompes.

Me [laughing]

Hubby: Aaah, what am I saying? I know that word. Por favor no saltes, mi’jita.

Hija: Voy a saltar.

Translanguaging is the use of multiple languages simultaneously to communicate. That is to say, translanguaging is a form of flexible bilingualism. In our home we speak nearly 100% of the time in Spanish to our daughter, although we use Spanish and English all the time between my husband and I. Bilingual exchanges are a very natural occurrence in our home state of Texas. In fact, the closer you get to the Mexico/U.S border the more prevalent the use of Spanish & English becomes in communicating with others.

My intent in sharing the way we communicate in our home is to provide readers a glimpse of what raising a bilingual child is like in an environment where languages aren’t strictly separated. It does not fall under the One parent, One Language (OPOL) method, nor does it fall under the Minority Language @ Home (ML@H) method. I am not quite sure our method has a name…. yet!

As I continue to help my daughter develop her bilingualism (and eventually trilingualism), I intend on proposing a name to the method we are using in raising her with multiple languages. I whole-heartedly believe that we don’t need to keep the use of Spanish and English because in the real world, languages, just like people, will meet and influence the very fabric of our existence.

Please share your thoughts! Especially if you think of a name to this “language contact” method I am using to raise my daughter with multiple languages. As I write this, I realize that maybe that’s the name I have been looking for: Language Contact Method (LCM).

{Image by  amslerPIX}

Birdie’s Playhouse‘s recently released CD, Muévete Como Los Animales, tiene TUMBAO! Birdie’s music will make your kids little feet and arms pounce, waddle, flap, or buzz across the floor depending on which animal is up front and center! My daughter loved her little laso (streamer) so much after dancing with it on and off all day that she had to place it right next to her bed before bedtime. I think we created some great memories shaking our tails, flapping our wings, and acting like monkey’s to Birdie’s music ensemble.

Personally, what I loved was the way almost every song reminded me of some of my favorite music genre’s like , salsa, flamenco, or even a Texas cumbia! I have to admit reviewing music for SpanglishBaby is one of  my favorite products to explore with my children and this one definitely hit a high note. Not only are Birdie’s songs written, produced & sung by Birdie Mendoza herself, but she also has some talented people working to make it all happen.

To learn more about Birdie’s music and playhouse (as they perform all over the Los Angeles area for birthday parties and in school settings) check out their website at Birdies Playhouse. AND to the lucky winners, AZÚCAR!

The Giveaway!

We are giving away both the English and Spanish versions of Muevete Como Los Animales plus a dancing streamer. All you have to do is visit the Birdie’s Playhouse music preview page and leave us a comment telling us which song you enjoyed the most. Then, enter the rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Editor’s note: We continue with our 31 Days of Reading in Spanish. Check out the book review below and don’t forget to enter our weekly GIVEAWAY of $100 worth of books in Spanish! This is the last week, so you have until July 31 to enter.

BOOK DESCRIPTION/REVIEW

Gloria Anzaldua, Chicana author and academic, wrote several books dealing with sensitive issues that arise from living on the Mexico/U.S. border. Friends from the Other Side/Amigos del otro lado is a book that lends itself to discussing a sensitive issue like undocumented immigration with children as young as 6 years old.

What I especially love about this book is that children are given the opportunity to talk about a delicate topic from the perspective of someone who may be going through what the main character is experiencing — the risks of being an undocumented immigrant.

Like other children’s books written by Anzaldua, Prietita Has a Friend (1991) Prietita y La Llorona (1996) & La fea (1958), this one is also a great way to expose children to the colorful ways bilinguals use multiple languages to communicate.

   BOOK DETAILS

   Title: Friends from the Other Side/Amigos  del otro lado.

   Author: Gloria Anzaldua

   Illustrator: Consuelo Mendez

   Ages: 6-10+

   Publisher/Year: Children’s Book Press/1995

   ISBN: 0-64234-130-0

   Price: $7.60 on Amazon.com

Editor’s note: We continue with our 31 Days of Reading in Spanish. Check out the book review below and don’t forget to enter our weekly GIVEAWAY of $100 worth of books in Spanish! This is the last week, so you have until July 31 to enter.

BOOK DESCRIPTION/REVIEW

If you are looking for a non-traditional book in Spanish, though it comes in English as well, then Tener un patito es util/Tener un nene es util is it! It is essentially a two-for-one book (though the stories are connected) because as the pages are flipped, the book unfolds to one long panel. You can start reading about the duck’s perspective (yellow side) about bath time and then flip the book over to read about the little child’s perspective (blue side). In fact, one of the reasons why I love this book is because it offers a way to teach children about seeing the world (or in this case, the point of view of a rubber duck versus a little kid during bath time) from two different points of view.

The illustrations and the storyline were both created by the author, Marisol Misenta, an Argentine native who is known by the mononym ISOL. Like many of her other children’s books, such as Nocturno: Recetario de sueños, there is an interactive component where the child reading the book is asked to, either literally or implicitly, to think or write about what is happening in the book.

   BOOK DETAILS 

   Title: Tener un patito es útil/Tener un nene es útil

   Author and Illustrator: ISOL

   Ages: 2-5 years

   Publisher/Year:  ISBN: 978-1480001244

   Price: $18.49 on Amazon.com

   Website:  http://www.isol-isol.com.ar/

In many ways I feel the same way as Roxana when she wrote, in an earlier post, My Daughter is Bilingual Thanks To Her Teachers, about the important role teachers have played in developing my daughters bilingualism. For the past six months my nena has been hearing English for the majority of her day. I can attest that she is an example of how children acquire language at what seems like a pretty fast pace compared to older children and/or adults, and for my daughter it has all been thanks to her amazing teachers.

That being said, my husband and I continue to speak to her in Spanish 100% of the time, and she continues to do the same when speaking to us. The few times we have heard her speak in English have always surprised us because we really aren’t aware of how much she actually knows.

One of my tactics in raising her with Spanish has been to never translate for her. In other words, if a stranger or friend speaks to her in English I simply prompt her (in Spanish) to respond. As a result, she now translates when I prompt her to respond. For example, recently we went to the pediatrician’s office for her yearly check up and the following conversation emerged:

Doctor: Hi, Sabrina.

Sabrina: Hi, that’s my mommy (pointing to me).

Me: Sabrina, cuéntale a la doctora de tu owie

Sabrina: I have owie. I no like it.

There have been other instances, like the one above, that have completely tickled us because she also seems to have acquired a Spanish accent when she speaks English, which we LOVE. My next move is to help her realize that some people are bilingual and that she can use her Spanish with them.

Unfortunately, and as I expected, if the bilingual adults in her life use Spanish and English with her she pegs them as English speakers. This is simply another indication of the power English has in our society. That is to say, my daughter has picked up on the language with the highest status, which was also something I expected to happen. When I reflect on how she has developed her linguistic skills I feel confident that other parents like myself, second generation immigrants, can do the same!

Statistics indicate that the third generation (like my daughter) is more likely to not speak their family’s native language, which in our case is Spanish. Have you, as a second generation immigrant (parents are from another country, but you were born in the U.S.), managed to raise a bilingual child? If so, what are some of the strategies you have used to develop child’s bilingualism?

{Photo by  UNC – CFC – USFK }