How to introduce other languages (Lovely children's TV programs in German or Spanish? )

[AgathaRose]

Our two and a half year old DD is at that stage where she sucks up words and information like a sponge. Seems like a perfect time to expose her to the sounds of another language. I'm not desperate for her to become fully biligual at this stage, but just to become acquainted with the sounds of another language which will make it so much easier to learn it later. (DH and I are both english and i speak very ropey spanish.)

Two questions then:
First, any tips on how to do this effectively?

And second, anyone know of any DVDs of lovely children's programs in Spanish or German (along the lines of the wonderful Clangers, Bagpuss, Ivor, etc which are her favourites.) Also interested in great children's books in these languages.

Thanks v much.

I know if we buy a dvd here in France it has both english and french versions so I wonder if you could buy a dvd from maybe spanish ebay or something and try that

Some German dvds that my 3 and 5 year old enjoy include Lars Eisbaer (der kleine Eisbaer), Der Kleine Baer, Felix der Hase, and Nulli und Priesemut. I also order most other movie dvds (e.g. Cinderella etc) in Germany as it has the option of playing it in either English or German (and is a lot cheaper too ). Have a look on www.amazon.de for these and other books and dvds.
Another option is to get a satellite dish on your roof - that way you can get up to 200 or so Continental European tv stations for free!

www.early-advantage.co.uk/

This is meant to be very good and child friendly.

I think she might be about the right age for Tabaluga :
www.amazon.de/Tabaluga-01-gro%C3%9Fe-Ereignis-Freunde/dp/B000AL7098/ref=pd_bbs_5?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1 202499961&sr=8-5

Maybe she would like songs. I like this CD:
www.amazon.de/Heute-tanzen-wir-Jahre-pl%C3%A4ne/dp/3491887348

I sent it to my nieces since they're mad for all things German and they seem to like it although they don't understand a word of it.

There are a lot of lovely more traditional German children's songs too. You just have to check it isn't some boys choir singing them because although angelic sounding, I think your dd would find it hard to pick the words out. They have a lot of nice melodies.

on second thoughts for a small girl who understands no German at all, it would probably be too difficult.

How about getting a DVD with some of the German version of Sesame Street on them. Sesamstrasse?

www.amazon.de/Sesamstrasse-Serienhits-Kids-VHS/b?ie=UTF8&node=292193

Has anyone used Muzzy from the BBC? We are thinking about buying it.

Regenbogenfisch ? Try amazon.de

Thank you all for fantastic suggestions. I will look into them all.

Annasmami, i do have a sat dish on the roof but i'm embarassed to say i had no idea i could get so many European stations. -Feel a bit stupid but i can't see how to get them. -Do i have to subscribe somewhere?

Agatha I used this site when dd was learning to read Russian. They have all the same activities in German too, click on the left where it says German. Also has a couple of songs and some games - bingo, naughts and crosses for learning colours, vocab:

www.hello-world.com/German/song/entchen.php

SSSandy2 - BRILLIANT website!

we have the teletubbies in french, and some disney dvd's dd's dont mind which language we put them in for them

To access most of the German TV stations you need to point your satellite dish towards the Astra 19.2 degrees satellite.
You'll either need a dedicated dish pointing to that satellite - or if you still need access to Sky at 28 degrees you could get a motorized satellite dish (which can move between the two satellites).
Apart the cost of installation there is no subscription cost.

We tried out the German and French versions on MUZZY and were not too impressed - both with the sound quality and the contents... You can do better by buying foreign language dvds (and save lots of money!).

You can also pick up one Spanish channel , if you click on your tv guide, press more, international will pop up and you can scroll to tvei.

Trouble is unless it is reinforced , at home, nursery/school, in locality, you aren't likely to see the most benefit. Passing exposure alone won't be enough to acquire more than a basic vocabulary of odd words and phrases even long term.

babytvchannel.com they have DVDs in French and Spanish (and of course English) and some things which you can watch online too

I agree with Lizs my dd started school here in France in september, its a French school everything is taught in french and she is only now starting to say stuff in french at home.

Maisy Mouse dvds -wonderful! Ours are in spanish/german/catalan/portuguese. Very simple and easy to understand. Bought ours from Amazon.de

Hi ya, I just bought POCOYO (all 6 DVDs in a special edition tin) from Spain
www.dvdgo.com, they deliver within 2 days in the UK, fab service, and it's a lovely cartoon for pre-schoolers.

Brilliant info. -Thanks again.

Hello

My DD loves Los Lunnis. Spanish Kids TV program with lots of songs that they can sing along to. Every time I go I get more of the dvd's and there is a magazine as well which she loves.

Yes, I am Spanish and my son loves Pocoyo, Los lunnis and Barrio Sesamo (Sesame street).
You can buy them like paow said from www.dvdgo.com

hi girls !
have you try www.iTV.com ? you can see many channels from many countries. There is a option for kids programs.

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Hi you could try a website called www.mothertonguebooks.co.uk for story and picture books in foreign languages and bilingual books.