I'm a mother of two and grew up in FL where many people I knew were fluent in Spanish, (I was always so jealous) I always felt they were having some private conversation that I was never privy too! I tried to learn Spanish threw the instructors in school but it was very difficult due to all the kids who could careless and made it difficult to understand and concentrate on the teacher! I did learn how to welcome someone and introduce myself, but that's as far as I can go, basically useless! I'm a visual learner and when the teacher would get fed up she just gave us a book to study, which in most classes would of been fine. Except, I need to HEAR the language, the rolling of rs, the pronunciation, a book just doesn't cut it!
So, needless to say I do not speak Spanish. I've wanted to purchase Rosetta Stone because of all the ads on TV but I never have that kind of money to give away up front (MOTHER OF TWO, my childrens happiness, clothes, diapers, food, come before me and my wants).
I want my kids to have a better experience with learning a new language than I had, so I've been looking into finding info on language learning programs for kids, and then I was introduced to "Dino Lingo" (complimentary of Influenster, Thank you!!) a nifty company that makes DVDs directed at children (but, I've watched them, and I've learned a few new words myself! ::gloats::) they're pretty stinking awesome! At, first I was a little skeptical because the whole video is in Spanish (which you can watch here):
About 30 seconds in, it all started to make sense!!
Yes, I know this is a program directed towards children and I was confused, an adult I know! Don't judge me, I'm such a novice, I need someone to hold my hand and slowly walk me threw!! I was hooked!
Then my three year old daughter sleepily wandered out of her room where she had just woken up from her eight hour long beauty rest, WHEW, even with that crazy bed head hair she's gorgeous!
Anyway, she rubbed her little eyeball, clutching her floppy misshapen raggedy bear and in a tiny little voice said, "Mama, whatcha watchin?" I said, "I'm learning Spanish, from a Dinosaur!"
::BIG SMILE::
"Can I see Spanish?" Her overly excited little body yelped at me.
So I plopped her on the couch and let YouTube run, OVER, AND OVER, AND OVER, AND OVER! **TIME FOR THE EXTENDED VERSION, THE DVD**In my head I kept repeating "gato(cat), perro(dog), dos perros(two dogs), un gato y un perro(a cat and a dog), pajaros(birds), pez(fish)!! I swear this went on for probably two hours, she was totally entertained, (I got to do a little house work) and I also learned a few new words!! I could barely pull her away from the laptop long enough to eat a sandwich! I listened from a distance as she kept saying "cat", "dog", "bird". I imagine this is typical since she's three and has never seen this video before. I think over a period of time she would eventually stop saying the English words and say the Spanish ones they are saying. It was nice to see that she got the concept that they were showing her animals she knows, repetition is best!! Now, they just need to make an app so I can put it on my phone so she can be entertained while I'm at the doctors office! I wont feel guilty setting her in front of the TV to watch Dino Lingo, it's not mind numbing, it's very educational! I really want this program, it's also priced decent, you can purchase different sets that vary in price!! Check out their site here: Dingo Lingo
I'm all about saying money everywhere I possibly can!! I want my children and I to learn Spanish and Italian (my husband has family in Italy and it would be nice to be able to carry on a conversation with them). Yes, I am saying I too would watch these DVDs!! It could be a family thing, we all gather around, eat pizza and popcorn and learn a new language together!! Seems very positive to me!! I'm putting Dino Lingo on my Christmas Wish List, I hope Santa delivers this year!!! I hope other families check these videos out and get just as excited about them as I am!!!
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