We’re excited! Disney Interactive and Rosetta Stone have joined forces to promote the value of learning languages for our kids!

Together they have launched a new online original series, it’s a small world: the animated series inspired by the iconic Disney Parks attraction that’s always a must-do during our visits to the parks.  Premiering on Disney.com, Disney’s YouTube network and across Disney’s connected TV apps, the new series does a fabulous job at taking the multicultural and multilingual experience of the attraction online for our generation of kids.

Sponsored exclusively by Rosetta Stone and their new language learning apps for kids (our review here), the eight episode series introduces families to unique words and customs from around the world. Our kids will get to join a group of children from different countries across the globe to explore new lands in a digital narrative brought to life through animation inspired by Disney artist Mary Blair’s original designs for the popular theme park attraction.

Beautifully done, in short 4 minute webisodes, we wholeheartedly celebrate that the theme of it’s a small world: the animated series centers around introducing the concept of learning languages and cultures to understand each other better.

The first webisode finds the children at the British Museum of Art and touches upon subjects like  how using the same word, like “football,” can mean different things in different languages and that some words can sound similar in different languages and can cause mix ups.  Oh, how we know about that! A topic near and dear to us parents raising bilingual kids!

To view the first three episodes of it’s a small world: the animated series visit disney.com/smallworld or watch the first episode below.

The Rosetta Stone – It’s a Small World presents on Disney Video

¡Cuéntanos! Did you like it? We’ve been working hard for years advocating with media, apps creators and toy companies to create more products for bilingual and multilingual children and that celebrate diversity. They DO want and need to hear from you, so please share in the comments section so they know we want more of these quality shows for our kids. ¡Gracias!

Not only do we love Baila Baila’s music in Spanish for kids, but now we’re also really enjoying their YouTube channel, especially their “Ayer, Hoy y Mañana con el elefante” created to help children practice easy conjugations in Spanish.

So far they have launched three videos in this series, but they promise one per week. Check out this one for the word “jugar” and make sure you subscribe for more!

It’s hard to walk into a house with a preschooler that doesn’t have one of Fisher-Price’s Little People characters in the play area. This is a classic and iconic toy that has inspired generation of pequeños to engage in the early stages of creative play in any language. No wonder over two billion Little People figures have been sold in 60 countries since the brand’s launch 54 years ago. From the days when I played with them back in the 1970′s, to when my daughter got her first Little People play set, the figures have changed and evolved with the times and they continue to do so.

Earlier this week Fisher-Price announced during an event in Manhattan’s Bryant Park, which included a special musical performance by singer/songwriter and children’s TV star, Genevieve Goings, that it has made an unprecedented investment to refresh its iconic, beloved Little People brand and transform it from a toy brand to a lifestyle brand. The company executed a complete toy design refresh, complemented by an award-winning writing, illustration and musical team to contemporize the Little People brand for today’s new generation of preschoolers, while preserving the charm that has contributed to the ongoing success of the brand’s 54-year heritage.

The webisodes will feature a multicultural, ensemble cast of Eddie, Sofie, Koby, Mia®and Tessa, each with unique traits and interests that make them special – just like the children they exemplify.

We can’t wait to meet the new Little People cast and create new memories for a new generation of kids. The Little People LIVE Show will be touring in its fifth consecutive year in 2013, traveling to top zoos across the country, as well as performing onboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, to entertain children and encourage them to dance and express themselves with their Little People friends.

While we wait for the new Little People to make their appearance, how about enjoying these videos from Little People en español!

{Photo: Business Wire}

Little Pim, creator of many excellent apps and language teaching resources, offers digital downloads to fill in that gap. These short films are perfect for preschoolers, and native Spanish speakers will enjoy them just as much as beginners. Each video combines real-life footage of children and their parents with animated scenes of Little Pim. While she narrates, the 60+ words of new vocabulary appear on the screen. Watch the movies straight through, or choose a chapter to see specific parts again.

Get Up and Go! Spanish         $9.99

Learn all about the routines of the day – meals, school, bedtime, bathtime, etc. – with this cute half-hour video.

Let’s Eat! Spanish                    $9.99

Not only does this digital download teach the nouns for all different kinds of food, but it uses them in complete sentences and includes important mealtime verbs.

Let’s Play! Spanish                  $9.99

This video presents all the words and phrases you need to discuss playtime, which is why it’s likely to be your child’s favorite of all the Little Pim videos.

Click on each individual link above to find the videos in iTunes.

Available for iPad, iPod, iPhone, and Android

Recommended for ages 0-6

Check out the preview on the Little Pim website for a sneak peek at the digital downloads.