The minds of little children are like sponges. They absorb information and knowledge so quickly! Ever notice how children who learn a second language at a young age speak it more fluently and accent-free than children who learn it when they’re older? That’s the premise behind the Little Pim series of DVDs, CDs, flashcards and books. They’re geared toward children from babies through age 5. The idea is that when kids are exposed to a language at an early age, it becomes second nature for them to speak it. They don’t become confused by verb tenses and sentence structure like those of us who learn a language when they’re older. They just imitate native speakers and start chattering away!
I recently had the opportunity to review a Little Pim DVD called Playtime that teaches Japanese! Although I don’t have a preschooler to watch it with me, I could quickly see how this video would capture little ones’ attention. It’s filled with real children and animals playing and having fun, as well as Little Pim’s cartoon mascot, an adorable panda. This particular DVD took kids to the park, to play dress-up, and more. And not only does it build vocabulary, but it also teaches simple phrases. Concepts are repeated over and over again in different contexts so children absorb them and see the words used in different ways. And I love that you can turn the English subtitles on and off. If you’re watching with your child, you can learn the words along with him and practice your new language when you’re away from home. A quick guide included with the DVD provides tips on how to use the videos most effectively. At 35 minutes each, they’re just the right length for little attention spans. And each one is divided into 5-minute segments for smaller doses of learning. Go to LittlePim.com to find supplemental materials like games, coloring pages and apps. Children can learn Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, Hebrew, and English. For the Japanese language, which I chose, you can get three different DVDs (that can be watched in any order). Some languages have up to six DVDs! And they sell gift sets, too, which might include a plush Little Pim panda, a bag, or a t-shirt or onesie.
If you’ve got a little one in your life, whether it’s a child, grandchild, or godchild, I hope you’ll consider starting them on learning a second language now. I would definitely be doing this if my kids were under age 6. Little Pim makes it easy and fun for the whole family. Get started today at www.LittlePim.com.
