| It is common knowledge that in today's world it is very | | | | PBS's Dragon Tales and Maya and Miguel, and |
| beneficial to learn a second language. In addition to | | | | Disney's Handy Manny. |
| being able to meet more people, and getting to | | | | There is no doubt that the aforementioned shows are |
| experience more of the world's diverse cultures, being | | | | all positive educational programs. They are English |
| bilingual opens the door wider to opportunity when it | | | | Language children's programs that introduce Hispanic |
| knocks, more so than it would for someone who is | | | | cultures and Spanish vocabulary. However, instead of |
| monolingual. In the United States, Spanish is the second | | | | just teaching my son vocabulary words, I would like |
| most spoken language after English. Being able to | | | | that he also learn conversational skills. In order to do so, |
| speak and understand Spanish in the USA welcomes | | | | I also expose him to 100% Spanish language |
| more job opportunities and higher earnings. | | | | programming. |
| There are many ways to go about learning Spanish. I | | | | I highly recommend having English speaking children |
| myself learned Spanish in high school and | | | | learning Spanish to actually watch the Spanish |
| supplemented my education by listening to Spanish | | | | Language versions of Dora the Explorer or Go Diego, |
| language music and using Spanish language chat sites. | | | | Go on Univision rather than or along with the English |
| Other adults have learned by programs such as | | | | versions. It opens their minds to more vocabulary and |
| Rosetta Stone, taking night classes, or by hiring tutors. | | | | allows them to take on a higher level of conversation. |
| Being an adult who has learned Spanish, I know how | | | | Univision has a block of 100% Spanish language |
| difficult it can be. Studies have proven that is much | | | | programming for children on Saturday mornings called |
| easier for children to learn not only a second language, | | | | Planeta U. Planeta U shows include both Dora and |
| but also numerous languages at once. For that reason, | | | | Diego as well as Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley |
| I am now in the process of teaching my 1-year old son | | | | Winks or as they call it Jakers! Las Aventuras de |
| Spanish. | | | | Piggley Winks, and an Inspector Gadget show about |
| There are many tools available for children including | | | | traveling called Los Viajes del de Inspector Gadget. |
| toys, books, and educational games. In my home we | | | | Although it's the most popular, Univision is not the only |
| use all of the above. My son has maracas that count | | | | Spanish Language Network in the United Sates. There |
| and name the colors of the rainbow and a drum that | | | | are many other networks, which show Spanish |
| sings the alphabet in both Spanish and English. We also | | | | language children's programming. The two favorites in |
| have a collection of Disney board books that tell | | | | my house are V-me and Cbeebies. V-me has over |
| entertaining and educational stories in both languages | | | | twenty quality program options available in Spanish for |
| that we read to him every day. | | | | children. It is the home of the Mexican version of |
| Another tool that we use which is a very beneficial | | | | Sesame Street Plaza Sesamo, and host to other |
| resource for parents trying to help their children learn | | | | shows dubbed from English to Spanish such as Lazy |
| Spanish is television. There are many bilingual television | | | | Town, Pororo, and 7 pets. There is a new show |
| shows available on public, cable, and satellite television. | | | | coming out on V-me that I am looking forward too |
| Some popular examples of such shows include | | | | called Thalia and Eebee Adventures. The host of the |
| Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go, | | | | show Thalia is a very famous Mexican pop singer. |