DD needs to hear more English... Your best DVD / story tape suggestions please.

[NorktasticNinja]

We're bringing DD up bilingually (Dutch/English), she's 14 months now and is building up a nice little collection of words and almost-words. Most are Dutch but she has a couple of English ones too.

It's high time I started making a real effort to increase her exposure to English. I only ever speak to her in English but, because we live in Holland, she hears mostly Dutch. I don't want her to be watching a lot of TV but I think the occasional short episode of something suitable would be a Good Thing.

I'm not worried about her development, just looking for a slightly better balance between the two languages.

So, what would be suitable for a child her age? Any tips?

[Portofino]

Our dd is bilingual french/english. She watches loads of english tv programmes/dvds and i'm wanting her to watch more in french so her vocab keeps up with her peers. Hard to remember what she liked at that age.

"Boo" was always a big hit. She loved The Fimbles and the Tweenies. Fimbles probably more suited to a LO. She loved the teletubbies too at that age - but not a great one for learning the english language

[NorktasticNinja]

Thanks, I'll have a look at those, I've not heard of Boo.

Teletubbies (and In The Night Garden) seemed a bit pointless to me too.

[Portofino]

Have a look on Amazon. Looking for one will link to others. Razzle Dazzle was another Cbeebies one she loved.

[TheLadyEvenstar]

Barney the dinosaur is a good one, ds1 (now 10) loved it and ds2 16m loves it as well.

[Poledra]

DD2 liked (and still likes) Pocoyo.

[footballsgalore]

What about an English nursery rhyme CD for the car? There is also a lovely set of the 'Little Bear' series of books that you can get on CD. Quite gentle and beautifully read by Martin Jarvis.
Another idea, although she may be a bit young yet, are talking books for the PC. The 'Living Books' Dr seuss series is fantastic. My DS (3 tomorrow!) has enjoyed them for a while now. HTH

[cory]

My own experience of bringing up bilingual children suggests that the very best thing you can do to widen their language is to read aloud to them. Lots, every day.
Even the most verbal parents tends only to use a limited vocabulary and range in conversation- books will help you to extend that, and being read aloud to is a much more interactive medium than listening to a tape.

For tapes, though, I would suggest some of the modern classics: the Gruffalo, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, The Whale and the Snail. And nursery rhymes, definitely. As someone said, check out Amazon.

[NorktasticNinja]

Excellent, thanks for the suggestions. I'll get myself to Amazon.

DD isn't too keen on being read to but I do persevere. Maybe it's because I'm reading Dutch books too her in English IYSWIM, I'll have to get more real English books!

[Breizhette]

We're bringing up DC French/English, living in France. We faced the same problem and DVDs have been very helpful. Balamory, Maisy and Kipper. And loads of books. She speaks mostly in French but her English vocabulary is pretty good.