Reading bilingual stories with young children introduces a second language and provides an opportunity to learn about different cultures. Whether you are working with children in-person or online, reading with children is always a great activity to support early literacy skills and to foster meaningful conversations.
This week we share information about the benefits of introducing another language to young children, and provide a list of wonderful Spanish/English storybooks for adults to enjoy with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Lead with Language, a national campaign focused on language proficiency, shares that “it’s never too early to begin learning a language: it’s fun, it promotes healthy development, and the many cognitive and social benefits will last a lifetime.” The benefits of learning a new language in early childhood include…
Brain Benefits: Children who learn another language before age five use the same part of the brain that they use to learn their first language. Additionally, research shows that learning a second language boosts skills in…
Problem-solving
Critical-thinking
Listening
Memory
Concentration
Multitasking
Creativity
Boosts Academic Performance: All of the skills listed above support kindergarten readiness and set children up for success in later academics! Children’s ability to concentrate, problem-solve, and think critically will support them in reading, writing, and math and help them to be more successful in their academics when they transition into elementary school.
Supports Social Emotional Development: Young children who are exposed to other languages also learn about the cultures associated with those languages. This helps young children to develop empathy, tolerance, and cultural sensitivity.
To learn more about the developmental benefits of introducing a second language in your classroom, check out this previous article from Good2Know Network: Embracing Different Languages in Early Learning.
Brightly, an online literacy resource for parents, educators, and caregivers, shares a few quick tips for reading different kinds of bilingual stories with young children:
“Some bilingual books provide side-by-side text in English as well as Spanish; others simply pepper in Spanish words and phrases. For those side-by-side texts, I recommend starting with one language and sticking with it throughout the entire book. Then, read the book again but in the other language…after you read, spend some time talking about the story and the new words you learned. Oral language development is foundational for reading success in any language.”
Bright Baby Bilingual Touch & Feel: Numbers
This simple story includes fun touch-and-feel sensory experiences on each page. The story introduces numbers and everyday objects in English and Spanish, making this book great for learning a new language, and also practicing early math skills and 1:1 correspondence. You might also enjoy some of the other books by the same author, including Colors and Animals.
This story with minimal text walks young children through a family’s typical morning routine with side-by-side English and Spanish. This story is especially good for a morning meeting or circle time to think about how we wake up and start our day.
This story follows a young girl as she explores her home and its surroundings. The book includes simple images on each page with single sentences that make this book perfect for infants and toddlers. If you enjoy this book, you might also like Far — Lejos, by the same author.
This book follows Rosalba as she spends the day in the park with her Spanish-speaking grandmother (abuela). The story is a mix of Spanish and English, and includes a pronunciation key at the end of the story.
What Can You Do With a Paleta? / ¿Qué puedes hacer con una paleta?
This story is written in English with Spanish sprinkled throughout. As children read this story, they will learn new vocabulary and a new recipe.
Rainbow Weaver/Tejedora del Arcoiris
This story is filled with beautiful and colorful illustrations. The text, in English and in Spanish, introduces themes of environmentalism and the Mayan culture.
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For more book ideas, check out another Good2Know Network article, Books to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which also includes several bilingual stories.
