LITTLE PIM BLOG
Raising a "People Person": New Studies Indicate Multilingual Exposure Improves Children's Social Skills
It's commonly accepted that bilingual children tend to have more opportunities to succeed in life than those who are monolingual. Speaking more than one language opens doors and allows for increased understanding of the world, not to mention the people in it. Studies have already shown that bilingual children may have increased cognitive function, consistently performing better than their monolingual peers at problem solving.
Now, it seems there may be other, equally important benefits to bilingualism and exposure to multilingual environments. In a recent piece entitled, "The Superior Social Skills of Billinguals," published in the New York Times by Katherine Kinzler, associate professor of psychology and human development at Cornell University, covers new studies which indicate that multilingual exposure improves children's social skills.
How does this work, exactly?
Being bilingual enables a child to view the world from another's perspective. They must understand when and to whom they should speak a certain language. Children who are not bilingual, but are consistently exposed to another language often have the same ability. Being raised in a multilingual environment is the driving factor, for example, young children who had grandparents who spoke another language or parents who introduced their kids to new languages and cultures at an early age with products like Little Pim.
Recognizing that other people have different perspectives and experiences allows bilingual children and those with multilingual exposure to put things into context. This greatly aids in communication.
We live in an increasingly global world – one where bilingualism carries many benefits. Luckily, the studies show that even exposure to languages before a child can speak is beneficial. In fact, the earlier a child is immersed in another language or culture, the more familiar they are with recognizing other perspectives.
Starting your child early with languages can help them to not only excel in school and, eventually, in the workplace, but can equip them with the skills they need to communicate effectively with people from all different backgrounds and perspectives.
For more information about helping your child build the skills they need for success in the global community, check out these articles and studies about the benefits of teaching your child a foreign language and why starting early is so important.
Are you considering teaching your child a second language? Comment below with your thoughts and experiences.
International Mother Language Day
Today is International Mother Language Day which is a day proclaimed by UNESCO to celebrate the languages spoken around the world and to promote cultural diversity and multilingualism. IMLD honors the day in 1952 when “language martyr” students demonstrated for recognition of their language, Bangla, as one of the two national languages of what is now Bangladesh.
Mother languages in a multilingual approach are essential components of quality education, which is itself the foundation for empowering women and men and their societies.-Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General
Celebrate this special day with your little ones by attending local multicultural festivals or by bringing language learning into your home with Little Pim. Now you can stream Little Pim on Hulu and Roku or you can instantly download your choice of our 12 languages for kids on our website.
At Little Pim, we believe that all children deserve to learn a second language. Our program makes learning a foreign language easy and accessible to all kids–at the age they learn best, from 0 to 6 years. Our videos, books, flashcards, and CDs keep kids entertained while inspiring in them a lifelong love of language learning.
We live in an increasingly global world – one where bilingualism carries many benefits. Research shows that bilinguals, especially those who have learned a second language before age six, demonstrate superior reading and writing skills, as well as advanced analytical and social skills. Bilingualism has also been shown to improve vocabulary in a child’s native tongue.
Learning a foreign language can open a whole new world up for your child. Little Pim gives children the ticket to this world–by making it fun and easy for kids to learn a second language.
Little Pim Appoints New CEO: Alyson Shapero
NEW YORK, NY - December 21, 2015 Little Pim Appoints New CEO: Alyson Shapero
Little Pim, the leading foreign language learning platform for young children, announced today the appointment of Alyson Shapero as the new CEO, effective January 1, 2016.
Alyson Shapero has been SVP of Sales and Marketing at Little Pim since 2012. Julia Pimsleur, current CEO and Founder of Little Pim, will remain involved with Little Pim as Founder, Board member and spokesperson for the company.
“Alyson has successfully driven our digital and customer acquisition strategy for three years and is one of our greatest assets at Little Pim.” Julia Pimsleur commented. “I have full faith in her leadership and look forward to supporting her and remaining involved on the Board of Directors.”
Shapero brings new leadership to Little Pim at a time when the children’s digital media world is changing rapidly. Shapero has background in digital children’s distribution, customer acquisition and consumer products, having previously worked at Warner Music Group, School of Rock and Razor & Tie Entertainment. She has been instrumental in securing many of Little Pim’s 20+ partnerships and mapping out the vision for Little Pim’s digital future.
Alyson Shapero commented, “Little Pim is increasingly a digital company with strong partnerships across the media landscape and we will continue to build and expand on those. With over three million children ages 0-6 having used our products in the U.S. and in 22 other countries, I look forward to talking Little Pim to its next level of growth and development.”
Julia Pimsleur will work with female entrepreneurs to help them scale up their businesses past $1M in revenues via speaking, online courses and coaching. She recently authored Million Dollar Women: The Essential Guide for Female Entrepreneurs Who Want to Go Big (Simon & Schuster, October 2015, Amazon Top 20 Women & Business).
About Little Pim (www.littlepim.com) · Little Pim 's proprietary Entertainment Immersion Method® has won 25 awards and is the only method designed for the youngest learners, ages 0-6.
· The company has sold over two million products via Direct to Consumer, Retail and Licensing in 22 countries. Partners include Hulu Kids, iTunes, PBS Kidsplay, LeapFrog, VTech, Toys R Us, Roku and Mango Languages.
· Little Pim is available in 12 languages, is platform agnostic and can be viewed on screens of any size in any country.
Read to Them and Let them Read
(Some rights reserved, David D via Flickr Creative Commons)
A few days ago, Little Pim shared some great ways to make snow days fun, and we’ve certainly had a wonderful time picking out family-friendly winter movies to watch while curled up on the couch together. But here’s another idea: read your children a book.
Reading to kids is a great way to bond, but more than this, reading to them can have great benefits for their education. According to research discussed by the USA’s National Education Association, children who are read to not only develop stronger reading skills, but stronger language skills as well, with kids who read or are read to at home having better reading proficiency and even higher math scores. Parents who are trying to help their kids learn a new language through Little Pim may actually find that reading to their kids in the language they wish for them to learn can be of great benefit, as research has shown that reading aloud is great way to help them recognize the sound patterns of the language being used. As children are exposed to more of the language, so too do they learn how to formulate different sentences and learn how to use the words they are learning.
This is also supported by research discussed by UNESCO, who state that reading is one of the most effective ways to encourage systemic language development, and that “At a higher level and with longer texts, the comprehension of relationships, of construction or structure, and interpretation of the context, becomes more significant.”
The only problem is that, for many of today’s kids, reading can seem like a boring activity. Contending with gadgets and TV shows and cartoons these days can be difficult, but parents should find that encouraging their kids to read can be much easier depending on their mindset. In an interview he did with childrenswear manufacturing brand Tootsa MacGinty, preschool teacher James Ross said that the best way to get kids to enjoy reading and writing is to, “Be positive and enthusiastic yourself! Children are like sponges: if you delight in reading with/to your children (or at least for their sake pretend that you do!) it will be a fun experience for you both. Children love stories, so try to weave them into everything they see and do. Make sure that they enjoy reading and writing and don’t see it as a chore. Praise them for effort… and persevere!” And because children respond to different teaching methods differently, he also adds, “If you have a really reluctant reader, don’t think of books as the only option. Put subtitles on when they watch films; comics or simple worded picture books work too. Find a format and context that works for your child.”
It’s great practice to read to your kids every day, and if you want to start reading to your kids this winter, you can check out Common Sense Media’s list of 50 books your kids should read before they're 12.
Exclusive for Little Pim Written by BeingMommy
Snow Day Family Fun
Brrrr!
If you’re stuck inside this winter, you might need some extra tricks up your sleeve to keep little ones occupied. We’ve got you covered with some great ideas for the perfect snow day.
Photo credit: catdancer735 / Foter.com / CC BY-SA
Warm up your home by cranking up the oven! Spending some family time in the kitchen is easy with these tips for cooking with kids. If you’re looking for a fun, delicious, and seasonal recipe, try out these adorable melted snowman cookies.
Photo credit: Tim Pierce / Foter.com / CC BY
The birds get hungry too! Little hands can help you make some cute birdseed ornaments to hang outside. Use different cookie cutters and look out the window to see who’s nibbling your delicious creations.
Photo credit: emmacraig1 / Foter.com / CC BY
Don’t have any birdseed around the house? Extra buttons make great crafting materials! Check out this idea for a button tree your kids can make on paper.
Photo credit: Pano e Papel / Foter.com / CC BY
If you just want to relax all day, curl up with some hot cocoa and turn on one of these family-friendly winter movies.
Photo credit: PersonalCreations.com /Foter.com / CC BY
What do you like to do with your family on snow days? Let us know!
5 Healthy Foods from Around the World
November is Good Nutrition Month!
Photo credit: donnierayjones / Foter / CC BY
It’s important to eat right, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy your favorite foods or try new ones. We’ve made a list of delicious foods from all around the world that just so happen to be good for you.
Mexico:
Photo credit: lucianvenutian / Foter / CC BY-SA
Tacos are one of the most popular Mexican dishes, and they offer a great deal of variety. Mix it up this Taco Tuesday with a 200-calorie recipe that suggests yummy fillings like steak, beans, and even mango!
France:
Photo credit: Brisbane Falling / Foter / CC BY
French cuisine is delicious and rich, but don’t let that fool you; it can still be good for you! Fill these whole wheat crepes with fresh fruit to make a sweet breakfast (or dessert) that’s magnifique!
China:
Photo credit: stu_spivack / Foter / CC BY-SA
With small portions and lots of veggies, Chinese food can be a guilt-free dining option. A hearty stir-fry filled with chicken and vegetables is a great way to pack protein into your meal. Try it over brown rice for even more healthy goodness.
Italy:
Photo credit: derekskey / Foter / CC BY
When you think of Italian food, the first things that come to mind are probably pizza and pasta (not necessarily the healthiest options). But this refreshing mango-passion fruit gelato is a great alternative to carb-heavy Italian cuisine. Delizioso!
Morocco:
Photo credit: SuperCar-RoadTrip.fr / Foter / CC BY
Moroccan food is often cooked with delicious, good-for-you spices like cumin, ginger, and turmeric. Chick peas, another Moroccan staple, are a great source of protein that can be added to any meal. Spice up your recipe book with this pumpkin, cranberry, and red onion tagine.
Click here for even more ways to eat healthy while exploring international cuisine. Let us know what new, healthy foods you’re planning to try this month!
This Month, Celebrate the Bilingual Child!
October is "Celebrate the Bilingual Child" Month! At Little Pim we love to celebrate bilingualism, so we're teaching you how to say "child" in 20 different languages:
Arabic: طِــفــل (Tifl)
Chinese (Mandarin): 孩子 (Háizi)
Croatian: Dijete
Danish: barn
Dutch: kind
French: enfant
German: Kind
Greek: παιδί (Paidí)
Hebrew: ילד (yeled)
Hindi: बच्चे (Baccē)
Hungarian: gyermek
Italian: bambino
Japanese: 子供 (Kodomo)
Korean: 아이 (ai)
Polish: dziecko
Portuguese: criança
Russian: ребенок (rebenok)
Spanish: niño
Swahili: mtoto
Vietnamese: con
All translations from inDifferent Languages.
Family Fun for Oktoberfest
This year marks the 205th anniversary of Oktoberfest, a German festival that began in Munich in 1810. Each year, millions of people gather in Germany and all over the world to participate in the festivities, which include concerts, costumes, rides, food, and drink. There is something for everyone at Oktoberfest, and the holiday creates a great opportunity to introduce kids (and adults) to German culture.
A great way to get kids involved in the Oktoberfest fun is through crafts like this Edelweiss hat, often worn by men and boys in Bavaria during the festival. You can also print out these coloring pages to help kids learn about the German map, flag, and other national symbols. And check out “Backe, backe Kuchen,” a simple German song kids can sing to practice the language.
You can sample some of the delicious cuisine of Germany in your own home with these recipes for German potato salad and sausage and sauerkraut fritters. You should also break out the pretzels, a favorite during Oktoberfest. For dessert, you and your kids will love this rich German chocolate cake. Before you eat, don’t forget to say “prost” which means “cheers” in German!
Oktoberfest is a great holiday for the whole family, no matter where you celebrate it! Get creative, eat, learn, and have fun!
Thanks to Kelli Miller at 3 Boys and a Dog for the "Oktoberfest Activities for Kids."
Halloween Around the World
Halloween is just around the corner! If you live in the United States, that probably means costumes, candy, and possibly some pranks. But what is Halloween like in other parts of the world?
Photo credit: Muffet / Foter / CC BY
Ireland
The holiday most likely has its origins in Ireland’s ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people wore costumes and lit bonfires to frighten away the spirits. In Ireland today, many people celebrate Halloween by dressing up and lighting bonfires like the ancient Celts did. Much like kids in the United States, Irish children go trick-or-treating and attend Halloween parties with family and friends. They play games like “bobbing for apples” and “snap-apple,” where you hang an apple on a string and jump up to see if you can bite it. And of course, some Irish children play tricks on their neighbors. You can make barnbrack, a popular Halloween confection in Ireland, using this recipe.
Photo credit: LlGC ~ NLW / Foter / No known copyright restrictions
Mexico
In Spanish-speaking countries like Mexico, the celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) begins on the evening of October 31st. Many families make altars honoring their loved ones who have passed, which can include photographs, candles, and even the deceased’s favorite foods and drinks. On November 2nd, the whole family has a picnic to celebrate and reminisce about the lives of their loved ones. They eat treats such as breads and sweets shaped like skulls and skeletons. You can make your own delicious sugar skulls by following this recipe!
Helping Your Kids Transition from Summer to School
Summer flew by faster than most of us expected and getting back to our school day routines can actually be exciting for parents. In order to make a smooth transition from vacation mode to strict schedules, we've put together a list of tips to make this as easy as possible. Good luck and happy parenting!
1. Sleep Schedules
Photo credit: Ozyman / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA
You may not hear it often but it's time to get back to your old habits! It is important to start getting the kids to bed at a reasonable hour at least two weeks before school begins. This way they will be well adjusted and rested when the first day of school rolls around. Setting morning alarms can also be helpful for those of us that like to sleep in.
2. Adjust Your Eating Habits
Photo credit: theglobalpanorama / Foter / CC BY-SA
Time to get healthy again! We all know that summertime causes our shelves and refrigerators to become full of unhealthy snacks like ice cream and chips. It's time to get your kids back on track. Plan quick and healthy meals that meet their school lunch schedule.
3. Establish a Learning Environment
Photo credit: Holtsman / Foter / CC BY-NC
In case you got carried away like the rest of us, now is your chance to get crafty with your kids at home! Set up a well-lit, quiet study area and make sure your kids become comfortable with the space. Whether it's by using your Little Pim flashcards or simply drawing with a pen and paper, make sure you set aside some time for your children to adapt to a learning environment.
4. Rekindle Friendships
Photo credit: swambo / Foter / CC BY-SA
Children can sometimes be worried about finding friends at school. Schedule play dates with parents and friends that you may have lost touch with over the summer. This way your kids can feel more confident and comfortable in the classroom.
5. Motivate your kids
Photo credit: Jeff Pioquinto, SJ / Foter / CC BY
School is fun and it's important that your kids know! Talking about school will make your kids more confident and encouraged to do their best. Ask questions like: "What are your favorite subjects at school?" "What are your goals this year?" Setting goals is the first step to reaching them.
