MAMIVERSE.com Launches Bilingual Plus, an Online Channel that Fosters Early Childhood Education & Family Engagement Through Digital Books & Music

USA - English

• Latin America - español

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Mamiverse.com—the premiere digital platform for Latina moms and families—launches Bilingual Plus, http://www.mamiverse.com/bilingual-plus/ an online channel that places bilingual learning tools in the form of digital picture books, sing-alongs, free curriculum-based family activities, content, and social media events, into the hands of educators and parents with kids Pre-K to grade 5. 

"Studies have shown that learning a second language at a young age makes it easier to learn new words, increases brain flexibility, and is correlated with higher achievement in school," says founding CEO Rene Alegria.  "Couple the physical and mental health benefits of bilingualism with the fact that knowing more than one language better positions young people for careers in an increasingly global economy, and one would be hard-pressed to find an argument against teaching America's children a second language," Alegria concludes.

Bilingual Plus features Spanish/English digital picture books from Cinco Puntos Press' illustrious catalog. Bestselling titles such as La Llorona and Dance, Nana, Dance by Joe Hayes, ABeCedarios by Cynthia Weill, as well as titles by the first Latino to win the Pen/Faulkner Award, Benjamin Alire-Saenz, are among those to make their digital debut through Bilingual Plus.

Musical selections include 50 bilingual classic sing-alongs by award-winning Latino artist Jose-Luis Orozco, such as This Land Is Your Land/Esta es mi tierra, Old McDonald/Juancho Pancho and The Hokey Pokey in Spanish. Songs are broken down into four CDs, each with the following themes: 1). School, songs associated with academic learning; 2). Fitness, songs that encourage dance and movement; 3). Nutrition, songs about food and health; and 4). Holidays, featuring winter and holiday themed songs.

When visiting Bilingual Plus, parents will also find free, educator-created learning tools such as easy-to-use downloadable worksheets, word games, vocabulary builders, puzzles and more.  Parents will have access to relevant, meaningful articles and videos about topics such as "Language games to play with your family," "Ten polite phrases for your little Spanish speaker," and "Seven challenges you will face when raising a bilingual child." 

"Users can immerse themselves in current, insightful content that fosters family engagement, and enhances the bilingual learning process," says Mamiverse Editor-in-Chief Lorraine Ladish. "We'll cover everything from practical tips for parents raising bilingual kids, the life benefits attached to being bilingual, as well as chronicle parents' personal experiences as they embark on this bilingual journey with their families."

Frequent social media events via Twitter and Facebook where parents can engage with each other and share tips to create a community to discuss all aspects of the bilingual learning curve.

* February 2007 issue of Neuropsychologia (Vol.45, No.2).
**Pew Research Hispanic Trends Project; 9/23/2013

About MAMIVERSE
Mamiverse.com is the premiere site dedicated to Latina moms and families. Launched in July of 2011, Mamiverse.com was created to better inform this rapidly growing online community. By empowering Latina moms with the tools they need, and by reaching all Hispanic women and their families in the process, Mamiverse.com connects this powerful and passionate group of family-influencers with a culturally relevant outlet that understands who they are, what they need, and how they think.  With a rotating roster of high-profile contributors, and features on news and trends of the day, Mamiverse.com keeps readers engaged and informed through a variety of categories that include food, health, money, school, books and style. www.mamiverse.com

Contact: Maria Sinopoli
[email protected]
954.376.4800

SOURCE Mamiverse.com