Recently we discussed the benefits of early bilingual education, along with different types of toys that teach. This week we’re exploring the different toys and tools available to reinforce the bilingual education your child receives at Tiny Toes. Though there are many digital games, computer programs and apps available, we’re focusing on a few hands-on toys that don’t require batteries or screen time!
First up: this adorable little puzzle from BeginAgains. Crafted out of sustainable rubberwood, these self-correcting eggs have the Spanish color names printed on the shell. Kids can match the color of the text on the shell to the matching chick, and you can read the names to your child to reinforce the connection.
Fun board books without a ton of words to stumble through are a great addition to your English-language library. One our favorites is based on a Spanish-language masterpiece, Don Quixote. This book from Baby Lit presents a cute and clever illustration for simple words (man, woman, windmill, castle, friend – all key words drawn from the book) with the English and Spanish word for each above and below the illustration.) The illustrations and words are simple enough even for toddlers to follow along with. The other books in the series follow other concepts like counting, colors, and sounds, making this Spanish language primer a gem for early bilingual literacy.
Your child may seem a little young for flashcards, but these Munchkin Traveling Flash Cards (rated 4.5 stars on Amazon!) come bundled on a chunky, kid-friendly ring for your little one to carry around. With ABCs, animals, and two languages, these cards pack a punch in a small package.
Lastly, these bilingual blocks from Ingenio Smart Play. With 16 blocks covering A-Z in both English and Spanish, along with the numbers 1-9, these sturdy little blocks are perfect not only for bilingual learning but for stacking and building too.
Bilingual education doesn’t have to be complicated or rigorous, and you don’t necessarily need to devote a specific time in your already busy day. Look for open-ended toys (like blocks, for example) that your child will be drawn to playing with on their own. At this stage in their life their minds are like little sponges, soaking up everything around them. You will be amazed at what they pick up just through exposure, adding a few words here or there or by incorporating bilingual toys and books into your collection.
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