Global Wonders:  México “Wall of Heroes”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cmoZZzRzD4

I have to admit I’ve been using my daughter as a guinea pig for the past weeks. Hey, she’s not complaining! She’s been entertained with some cool videos, books and CDs, all while learning new Spanish words and bits about her native roots.

Currently on permanent rotation in our DVD player is the Global Wonders: Mexico DVD.  Have you seen or heard of them? You should. They are a new brand of cross-cultural entertainment and educational products introducing children to the vibrant and varied cultures of their family, friends and neighbors.

I first found them months ago when looking for Spanish or bilingual video podcasts to entertain Camila during long car drives and plane rides. Let me tell you I came up short, but I did find the Global Wonders podcasts and You Tube page. Our favorite is the “Hello Song.”  It had us at the first “¡Hola!” This is the music video I’m talking about:

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjwkMmdqmH4

Are you loving it?

The Global Wonders series’ concept is to introduce the language and cultures that are familiar to your child growing up in a multicultural environment through the playful interaction of a group of friends with varied backgrounds and family traditions.  In the Mexico DVD two kids go to their friend Marisa’s house for a playdate and through daily interactions and happenings at her house they discover a whole new culture with a different language, foods, traditions, music and family life.

They learn about Quinceañeras and el Día de los Muertos, they eat home-made enchiladas, learn about the Mayans and Aztecs, as well as about some of the important people in Mexico’s history and pop culture. Never does it feel like you’re being taught a lesson because it’s all integrated as a day-in-the life of Marisa’s character and as a whole new world of discovery for her friends.

The mix of animation with live action footage is perfectly orchestrated and keeps the overall rhythm upbeat. Each chapter is divided between general topics and they all end with a “Language Jam.” In this musical participation-segment the main character, in this case Marisa, uses a sing-a-long to repeat the keywords and concepts that were just introduced.  Here is where Camila jumps off the couch and starts dancing and screaming. Trae el ritmo Latino en la sangre, after all!

Another cool feature is the Wondervision. It’s basically an interactive viewing experience that requires your child’s engagement. You can tell Global Wonders wasn’t created for the couch-potato kid!

I feel  Global Wonders reflects and respects who our children are-bilingual and bi-cultural living in a multicultural world with friends that most likely have a whole different language and culture at home. They can feel proud of who they are by sharing stuff about themselves and they can expand their own horizons by learning from their friends.

Now, wouldn’t you love to win both the Mexico DVD and the new CD Around the World Music? Here’s your chance!

To enter to WIN:

All you have to do for your chance to win is head over to the Global Wonders website and then come back here and tell us which of the four DVD titles you want and why. Please be as specific as possible so we now you visited the site.

If you want to increase your chances of winning you can get additional entries by doing any of the following.

1.  Blog and/or tweet about this giveaway or about our whole week of Bilingual Summer Fun giveaways. Please leave an additional comment with the link.

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This contest will close tonight at midnight PST…so don’t hesitate and enter now. It could be yours!!!

For the part that nobody likes, but we’ve gotta have, check out the Giveaway Rules.

Make sure you come back tomorrow and the rest of this week for more Bilingual Summer Fun giveaways!