DVD Review: “Spanish for Kids: Las Estaciones (The Seasons)” (& Giveaway Ends 3/18)

Spanish for Kids: Las Estaciones (The Seasons)

Released: February 1, 2011

Studio: Whistlefritz

Running Time: 30 minutes

ABOUT:

Produced by Whistlefritz, Spanish for Kids is an award-winning Spanish immersion DVD series featuring the adorable Fritzi, a lovable, animated mouse who interacts with live-action adults and children to help teach Spanish.  In Las Estaciones (The Seasons), Fritzi wants to celebrate his birthday, which comes in the Fall.  With the help of his friend Maria, young viewers learn about the many joys associated with all four seasons, from sledding and snowball fights in winter (el invierno), to trick-or-treating in autumn (el otoño).  It’s a year-round celebration for young viewers to enjoy with Fritzi and all his Whistlefritz friends!

Winner of more than 20 awards, Whistlefritz was founded in 2006 by a mom who wanted to teach her own children Spanish, but was frustrated by the lack of high-quality Spanish immersion programs. Building on the belief that switching back and forth between English and Spanish during the learning process makes it harder for a child to master the new language, Whistlefritz DVDs engage children in “Spanish immersion”: learning by hearing and speaking Spanish without any English translation.

Research has shown this Spanish immersion teaching technique to be the most effective way to teach young children a second language. Each upbeat program in the Spanish for Kids DVD series combines whimsical storylines, colorful animation and graphics, delightful characters, live action footage, and irresistible Latin music that children will want to experience again and again.

A valuable teaching tool to add to any home video educational library, Spanish for Kids DVDs have received numerous national honors and accolades from iParenting Media, the Parents’ Choice Foundation, The National Parenting Center, Dr. Toy, The Dove Foundation, Learning Magazine’s Teachers’ Choice Awards and others.

MY THOUGHTS:

The DVD “Spanish for Kids: Las Estaciones” is all in Spanish and has a woman who is the main speaker.  She speaks slowly and does repeat her Spanish words.  She is also very happy and friendly.  She also uses animation and real life shots to display what the Spanish words mean.  For example, a pic of snow and winter is shown and then real life kids sledding is shown along with the Spanish word shown and sang about.  The DVD is very fun and uses a lot to display the words.  I put this on for my 2 year old and he watched it in silence just trying to soak it in.  He doesn’t talk yet so I didn’t expect him to start repeating the words, but it doesn’t hurt to hear them and hopefully retain them.  I have seen other foreign language DVDs and they use both English and the other language, this DVD is strictly foreign language so make sure that is what your looking for.

I really like too the booklet that comes inside the DVD box.  It contains a whole bunch of words and phrases in English/Spanish and it contains the songs lyrics from the DVD in Spanish.  This is a great reference for parents to use to help out kids, and learn themselves! 

BUY IT: Las Estaciones, recommended for children ages 2-7, is available for $19.99.  Other titles available in the Spanish for Kids series include Cha Cha Cha, Adentro y Afuera (Inside and Out), A Bailar! ( Let’s Dance!), Vamos a Jugar (Let’s Play) and Los Animales (Animals). For more information on these titles or to order, visit www.whistlefritz.com.  You can also buy “Spanish for Kids: Las Estaciones (The Seasons)” wherever DVDs are sold or check it out on Amazon.

WIN IT: (1) US winner will receive the DVD “Spanish for Kids: Las Estaciones (The Seasons)”

TO ENTER: Leave a comment on whether or not your child currently knows any Spanish!

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Mama’s Money Savers Disclosure: I was sent this DVD to review in exchange for my honest opinion. Please see my Disclosure Policy.