Here's a treat that will be even more welcome than Valentine sweets for your little ones: fun coloring pages featuring our favorite panda, Little Pim, playing Cupid. Just click, print, and color for Valentine's Day fun. Joyeuse Saint-Valentin!
4 Surprising Infographics about Bilingual Education
Did you know the most commonly spoken language on earth is Mandarin? Or that students who studied a foreign language for at least 4 years scored an average of 140 points higher on the math SAT than those who didn’t? We found these fascinating facts and much more as we explored language learning and bilingualism Infographics around the web. We’ve collected a few of our favorites here. Click through to see the full graphic.
1. Second Language Acquisition By The Numbers
(credit, Huffington Post)
The facts and nothing but the language facts are the focus of this Infographic, including the most popular language to study in the United States (Spanish) and where scores improved on the SAT when students studied a second language (actually, they improved in all three sections!):
bilingual huffington post infographic
2. 50 Awesome Facts About Languages
(credit, UIC London)
If you’re looking for biggest, best, and most unusual language facts—from the number of world languages (7,000) to the easiest foreign language for English speakers to learn (Frisian, only spoken in parts of the Netherlands) this Infographic is for you:
3. The Benefits of Being Bilingual
(credit, BlueData International Institute)
What are the benefits of bilingualism? This Infographic links speaking a second language to improved concentration, boosted brain function, and increased creativity just for starters. Find out more:
4. Languages of the World
Finally, check out this Infographic from our friends at Pimsleur (which was created by Little Pim founder Julia Pimsleur Levine’s father, Dr. Paul Pimsleur) exploring the perceptions and realities of language learning in the United States.
Sochi Olympics Bingo!
The 2014 Winter Olympics is being held in Sochi, Russia, creating the perfect opportunity to introduce your children to not only the excitement of Luge and Speed Skating, but to basic Russian winter sports vocabulary as well.
We've made learning even more fun with this Sochi Olympics BINGO! To create your own bingo card using our word list, or your own special Olympics words, click here.
Winter Olympics Russian Vocabulary List
- спорт [Sport] - Sports
- зима [Zi-ma] - Winter
- снег [Snyek] - Snow
- Лёд [LYOT] - Ice
- Cнежинка [snye-ZHEEN-ka] - Snowflake
- Снежная буря [SNYEZH-na-ya BOO-rya] - Blizzard
- Холод [HO-lat] - (The) cold
- Коньки [kan’-KEE] - Skates
- Лыжи [LI-zhee] - Skis
- Санки [SAN-kee] - Sled
- Сноуборд [snow-BORT] - Snowboard
- Кататься на коньках [ka-TAT’-sya na kan’-KAH] - Skating
- Кататься на лыжах [ka-TAT’-sya na LI-zhah] - Skiing
- Кататься на санках [ka-TAT’-sya na SAN-kah] - Sledding
- Кататься на сноуборде [ka-TAT’-sya na snow-BOR-teah] - Snowboarding
If you're interested in exploring Russian more with your children, check out our great Little Pim Russian programs here.
Get Ready for Sochi with an Olympics-Worthy Winter Moviethon
The 2014 Winter Olympics will be here soon (February 7, 2014)! To introduce your children to some of the events that will be featured in Russia this year, try watching one of our favorite family-friendly movies about winter sports. Added bonus? An excuse to snuggle up with your little ones and savor a movie during the Academy Awards season. And since we know not many parents have time to hit the movie theaters, we included one for you to watch without kids as well.
5 Family Friendly Winter Sports Movies
1. Miracle– The true story of the underdog United States ice hockey team that competed in the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. This edge-of-your-seat story shows how a team comprised of US college students took on the might Soviets. Great movie; even greater story.
2. Mighty Ducks – For a more kid-centric introduction to ice hockey, try this Disney movie about junior players at the bottom of their league who come together to play in the junior championships. This is the Bad News Bears of winter sports, but with such soaring popularity that a real team was named after them – the Anaheim (home of Disney Land) Mighty Ducks. Note: If the kids like this one, there are two follow-up films, D2 and D3.
3. Cool Runnings – Jamaica has a bobsled team! No really, that’s the real-life premise of this movie about a team of Jamaican bobsledders who started out as warm weather sprinters, but went on to compete in the 1988 Calgary Olympics. This is both laugh-out-loud funny and inspiring, in true Disney style.
4. The Cutting Edge – Also set at the 1988 Calgary Olympics, this movie is about figure skating and the Olympics, but that’s as realistic as this pic gets. Still, there’s a love story, figure skating, a hockey player learning to skate and no gross-out humor, so it’s a sweet intro to figure skating for kids.
5. Downhill Racer – OK, it’s from 1969 and stars a young Robert Redford– but you don’t need to tell your kids that. They’ll just focus on the excitement of downhill skiing in this classic winter sports movie.
PS – Bonus for adults only*:
*Men With Brooms-- A raucously funny look at curling – yes, curling, the winter Olympics sport that combines bowling with sweeping (yes, sweeping, like with a broom) on ice. Unfortunately, a few foul language choices give it an R rating, making it a late-night adult viewing option.
A Family Friendly Chinese New Year Celebration
Streamers? Check. Noise makers? Check.
Don’t put away your New Year’s decorations just yet -- January 31 marks the start of the Chinese New Year and it’s a great excuse to have a fun-filled celebration with your family.
This year is the Year of the Horse and will be celebrated with parties, food, dragon dances, and fireworks both in China and in Chinatown’s throughout North America.
Chinese New Year is also called the Lunar New Year because it’s celebrated on the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar – and this year’s celebration will ring in the year 4712.
Want to celebrate the Year of the Horse? Here are 4 easy ways to join in the fun.
1. Learn a bit of Chinese:
Kung Hey Fat Choy! Means “Happy New Year!” and is the standard greeting throughout the holiday.
2. Dress the part:
Don whatever red clothing you have --- red is a lucky color in Chinese culture.
3. Decorate for your celebration:
Paper lanterns are a perfect project for craft time with your kids (although they can be any color, consider red to keep the new year’s theme).
4. Wok up a family-friendly Chinese dish:
The Lunar New Year is a usually celebrated with a big family meal.
Fried Rice is a great option to make at home with your family – let your children add their favorite veggies and practice picking up larger pieces of veggies with chopsticks while you cook.
CHINESE NEW YEAR FRIED RICE
(The vegetables below are just a guideline, feel free to substitute or add your favorites)
Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet.
Add 1 chopped onion and 2 small cloves of chopped garlic. Cook until soft, 2 to 3 minutes.
Add approximately 1 cup of chopped pepper, carrots, celery or sliced snow peas. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
Mix in 2 cups of cooked rice and stir until vegetables are fully mixed in.
Create an open hole in the middle of your pan and add 1 tsp of oil, then add 2 beaten eggs. Scramble eggs in hole, then mix into rice mixture.
Finally, add 3 to 4 tablespoons of soy sauce and stir through rice mixture until full seasoned.
Here's one more Chinese phrase you'll want to know when you're done eating:
Nn, mìan hăo chī! 嗯,面 好 吃! Mm! It’s good!!
Thanksgiving at Little Pim: What We’re Thankful For
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, the topic of what we’re thankful for has been front and center in our minds this week.
So we polled our staff and Little Pim parents and had them fill in the following blank:
“THIS YEAR I’M THANKFUL for__________________”
Here are just some of the responses we received. What would you add?
… my mother taking my kids to cultural events like classical music concerts. That when my kids get sick I can take them to the doctor (thinking of countries where kids have to travel far away to get help). That my boys are each others’ best friends – Julia, LP founder and CEO
… the super nice people that I work with at Little Pim. They all make me laugh and work so hard. I’m also thankful that I don't have to fly this holiday and that family is coming my way – – Alyson, LP senior vice president
… my family and my health --Heidi, parent
… living in New York. Even though I grew up here, everyday I am surprised by how easy it is to meet people from all different backgrounds and who speak a variety of languages. Only here would it be this easy for me to strike up a conversation with a stranger in French! (Yes, it's true; New Yorkers like to have conversations just like everyone else.) --Thea, LP product development & social media
… as always, having my work, family and friends. A warm bed and a place to call my own. Also, my good health and the means to keep it –Tommy, LP web developer
…. my amazing son. His love of learning anything new, from Spanish to piano, completely dazzles me every day. And I’m also thankful for the amazing educators in his school who work together to help him grow and succeed -- Melissa, LP blogger
…. My friends and family; decaf Nespresso; the never-ending possibilities of things to do in NYC and having Instagram to capture them all – Staci, LP digital marketing
… having more free time to spend with my family – Ken, parent
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!from the Little Pim Staff
Get Holiday Shopping Advice and Win Prizes at our #SmartHoliday Twitter Party!
Let's be honest: holiday shopping is stressful. Especially for kids. You're on the hunt for wholesome gifts that will delight and entertain your little ones... but there is so much stuff out there. How do you shop smart? Why not spend an evening chatting with the experts?
You're invited to a very special holiday party. No, it's not black tie. No, you won't have to travel a long way on a cold night to get there. It's a Twitter party!
Please join us for a night of Holiday advice and exclusive giveaways on Tuesday, November 12 at 9pm EST. Our esteemed panel includes our amazing host, Allison McDonald (No Time for Flashcards), along with Amy Mascott (Teach Mama), Mia Wenjen (PragmaticMom) and Tara Ziegmont (Feels Like Home).
All you have to do is RSVP and keep your eye on the #SmartHoliday hashtag on Tuesday night. Follow @LittlePim for more twitter party details – and don't forget to follow our panelists! Details below.
Also: check out our Amazon page to get a head start!
New for Halloween: Free Little Pim Coloring Sheet
Little Pim is in a spooky mood this week! He's all dressed up to celebrate Halloween in this coloring sheet produced by the same artist who's creating our holiday E-book (check out the full-size version here).
Happy coloring!
Allons Chanter! French Sing Along at the Brooklyn Library
Come one, come all to Little Pim's latest French Sing Along at the Brooklyn Library! On Saturday, October 5th, from 1-1:45pm, join Little Pim and friends for a French Sing Along at The Brooklyn Central Public Library! This free activity will be fun for French-speaking and non-French-speaking families alike. Your kids will be able to sing, dance, and shake maracas along to some of their favorite French Bop songs... and maybe even learn some new ones!
Singers and guitarists will be leading the performance of French Little Pim songs. Your kids will love the singing and dancing, and will learn some French too! We look forward to seeing you there!
Address: 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11238 (Easily accessible to the 2 and 3 trains)
The Little Pim Kickstarter is Live!
Aaaand we're live! We've only got 30 days to make our goal, so let's make 'em count. We can't do this without your amazing support so click below to learn a little more about the Little Pim ebook Kickstarter, make your pledge, and share with your friends!
What Is Kickstarter?
- It’s a website where anyone can pitch a creative project. So we’re pitching our ebook!
- If you think it’s a good idea, you can back the project. Donations of ALL sizes are welcome
- If you back a project with a donation, you get a reward! Our rewards, which would make great holiday gifts, include pre-orders of the ebook, getting your child drawn in as a character, and lots of other surprises in between…
- If we reach our goal, we get the funds we need to make the ebook and you get your rewards!
- If we don’t make our goal, we get nothing and you don’t get a reward. You also won’t be charged. It’s all or nothing on Kickstarter.