Boca Beth

My children are bi-cultural. Which means that they are an amalgamation of two cultural influences. They are North Americans, but their father and their abuelos (paternal grandparents) are from South America.



Consequently, we celebrate the 4th of July in high fashion, decked with fireworks and red, white and blue, but we also celebrate Chile's Independence Day on the 18th of September. Over the years, the latter has taken place quietly, with a family lunch of Empanadas and salad...and it has also been celebrated in the shop outside my in-laws home, with dancing and music and non-stop laughter. Certainly, in the 17 years that I have known the Irreverent One, the 18th of September has not slipped by unnoticed.

My oldest son frequently spends the night with his Yaya and Papa on Fridays. During that time he watches the Nightly News from Chile (among OTHER things!) and listens to many, many stories. He also learns Spanish.



My Mother-in-Law is a former teacher, so she uses various methods to instill Spanish language recognition and acquisition.



Including, the Boca Beth DVD, Music CD, and Puppet. So, this review is from my Magnificent MIL (roughly summarized!)

The DVD and Puppets hold the attention of my 4-year-old and 2-year-old more than they do my 6-year-old. The puppet is very useful and she uses it not only with the DVD, but with most of the other Spanish language she teaches Faffi and Sepe. So, my two younger kids are learning more from the DVD than my oldest. I am happy to say that my youngest seems to be the most proficient. He can identify many articles in our home (thanks to the Boca Beth DVD) as well as all of his facial features in Spanish and English.

My MIL believes that the Music CD is the by far the best for all three children. They have learned every song (I was recently serenaded by my oldest...at the prompting of his Yaya!). My MIL likes the Music CD because it inspires the "most vigorous movement!" Which means that they dance, laugh, play musical instruments and sing along. They listen to the CD (First Spanish Songs) EVERY time they visit Yaya and Papa.

The Boca Beth program receives an enthusiastic "thumbs up" from my former-elementary-school-teacher Mother-in-law. Which, is NO SMALL feat! Should you be interested in teaching your child Spanish, this program deserves your attention. While this review is from the perspective of a native-Spanish-speaker, Yaya assures me that it is very easy for anyone to use.

(I must mention that this is the second Spanish language program that we have used. The first program was much more expensive (we borrowed it from a friend) and was not nearly as beneficial as the Boca Beth program. And, it was all on VHS...call me spoiled, I like the DVDs!)