Looking for English-Spanish bilingual media options? You are in the right place! We have compiled some of our favorite bilingual media for preschool-aged children!
Remember: Exposure to bilingual media alone is not an effective strategy for learning a language. Consuming bilingual media is helpful to increase exposure to the target language, but this passive strategy should be used in conjunction with engaging with the target language via socializing, interacting, and speaking with a real person.
An important note about screen use, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry has guidelines for different ages and screen usage. Please keep the following in mind when incorporating bilingual media into your plan:
- Under 18 months of age: screen use limited to video chat with an adult.
- Between 18 and 24 months of age: screen use limited to watching educational programming with a caregiver.
- Between two and five years of age: non-educational screen use limited to one hour per weekday and three hours on weekend days.
- Over six years of age: limit activities that include screens and promote healthy habits.
Books
Books, in our opinion, are the best form of media to promote exposure to the target language. Books are perfect because it is so easy to seamlessly add an active component of participation and collaboration. Ask wh- questions, comment on what you see in the pictures (i.e., nouns, verbs, adjectives) or about what is happening in the story, and extend and expand upon the child's utterance.
The following book series are produced in Spanish and English versions. The child can become familiar with the same stories in both languages.
Pete the Cat/ Pete el gato
Amazon
Why do we love it? Kid's love Pete the Cat! The series follows Pete, a "groovy" cat, as he goes on adventures and always remembers to think on the bright side. Kids are exposed to functional vocabulary while enjoying the colorful illustrations and rhymes (an accompanying soundtrack is available!).
If You Give.../Si Le Das...
Amazon
Why do we love it? The series follows a mouse and his friends as they do various activities. The books are presented in a circular story format, which is excellent for repeated exposure to vocabulary words. The series helps teach "cause and effect." The book series was turned into a TV show, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," and it is also recommended and available via Amazon Prime.
TV Shows
Educational TV shows are helpful in moderation. Kids get exposure to the target language's semantics (meaning) and syntax (grammar).
The following TV shows are produced in Spanish and English versions. The child can become familiar with the same shows in both languages. Try to add an active component; talk during the show - comment and ask the child questions!
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood/Daniel Tigre
Amazon Prime and PBS
Why do we love it? This show follows Daniel, a 4-year-old tiger who lives with his mom, dad, and baby sister. The show focuses on common early learning themes and aspects of the daily life of a preschooler - feelings, routines, activities, and challenges. The show combines these functional themes with engaging stories and music.
Alma's Way
Amazon Prime and PBS
Why do we love it? Alma's Way follows Alma, a 6-year-old Puerto Rican girl living in the Bronx with her parents and younger brother. The show focuses on Alma's daily life - her social interactions, observations, feelings, and challenges. The show is excellent for presenting pragmatic skills and giving opportunities to demonstrate problem-solving skills.
Music
Music is a fun way to expose children to the target language. Kids listen to the song and get opportunities for receptive language exposure, exposure to the articulation/phonetics of the target language, and opportunities to imitate the production.
The following music channels are produced in Spanish and English versions. The child can become familiar with the same songs in both languages.
Canticos
Amazon, App Store, and YouTube
Why do we love it? Canticos produces a variety of engaging nursery rhymes that focus on early educational concepts. The songs contain repetition, rhyme, easy lyrics, and encourage movement. A video accompanies the songs, but they can be played without the video if it is too distracting.
Cocomelon
Amazon and Youtube
Why do we love it? Cocomelon produces a variety of songs with educational themes or a focus on activities of daily living. The songs contain repetition and rhyme. Most songs have uncomplicated lyrics, and hand motions can be incorporated. A video accompanies the songs, but they can be played without the video if it is too distracting.
iPad Games
The following games are not in the target language, but can be used actively with the child by a proficient speaking adult to ask questions, comment, and teach new vocabulary.
MyTown
App Store (Amazon/Apple/Google Play)
Why do we love it? MyTown is a series of games that follow chosen families and characters in places of activities of daily living. These apps work well for learning functional vocabulary. Our favorites are MyTown Home, MyTown School, and MyTown Farm.
Dr. Panda
App Store (Amazon/Apple/Google Play)
Why do we love it? Dr. Panda is a series of educational games that follow the main character Dr. Panda on his adventures. These apps work well for targeting new vocabulary. Our favorites are Dr. Panda Restaurant 3, Dr. Panda Supermarket, and Dr. Panda Icecream Truck 2.
We hope this information is helpful for your bilingual caseload or for your family!
References:
Aacap. Screen Time and Children, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Feb. 2020, https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx.
