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Raising A Multi-Lingual Child *Giveaway* Published on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 by

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Sherri.  Congrats!

It’s not often that I talk about my cultural background.  I’m actually embarrassed that most of you probably don’t know I’m Puerto Rican. I grew up with parents who wanted to “mainstream” me.  They wanted me to have as many opportunities as possible.  It wasn’t until I entered high school that I even thought about learning our native language.  I’m 32 years old and disappointed that I had the opportunity to be bilingual, but am not (but I can still learn!).

Learning a second language can only help your child.  Having spent some time living overseas, I was surprised at how many children speak more than one language.  Because my husband is Caucasian, my children will have that much more difficulty learning a second language because they won’t grow up hearing it spoken.  This is why it’s so important to me to start teaching my son basic Spanish at an early age.

Many months ago, I learned about a program called Boca Beth.  I actually had no idea that I could start teaching my son Spanish at a very young age.  I thought he had to master English first. Boca Beth products offer parents a fun way to introduce Spanish AND English to their children.  This is one of the only programs that teaches language in this way.  Bilingual education is optimal for children learning their native language.

The program is fun…which is important to me.  I wasn’t always thrilled about learning a second language as a child.  I didn’t see the need for it (how ironic!).  My son loves to learn.  We read and complete mini phonics lessons, so starting this program was something exciting for him.  The program seeks to teach children in a variety of ways by tapping into many of their senses.  They can watch the DVD, listen to the CD, color and complete the activity book, and touch the puppet and maracas.  Best of all, I don’t have to know a single word of Spanish to teach my children with this program (did you hear that hubby?).

Boca Beth has won several awards and was created by a teacher.  It’s been used in preschools, public schools and homes for over six years. Some of the benefits of the program include early reading skills and advanced communication abilities.  And best of all, it’s very affordable.


My son received the Boca Beth Beginner Set, which includes their first bilingual music CD, their first bilingual DVD, BOCA the puppet, a coloring book, and an easy reading How to Guide.  We try to do something each day (whether it be listening to the CD, watching the DVD, etc.). The only basic Spanish my son had coming into the program was familiarity with Spanish numbers (up to number 10).  Right now, he’s imitating several of the words in the program. We still need lots of practice matching the English and Spanish words.

One of my questions was, why a puppet?  I learned that puppets help to bring out native and new language in children.

Boca Beth is an effective, easy-to-use program that makes learning Spanish fun for both parents and children.

Win It! One of you will win a Boca Beth Beginner Backpack (ARV $49.99).  Simply leave me a comment with something you learned on the site.  Comments will close on April 1, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Vote for Rockin’ Mama for the Hot Blogger Calendar

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

I did not receive compensation for this post.  Product samples were provided to facilitate this review and giveaway.

111 Responses
  • by Linda Kish March 18, 2010 at 8:21 am

    Time magazine reported “The ability to learn a second language is highest between birth and the age of six, then undergoes a steady and inexorable decline.” (Nash, 1997)

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  • by Linda Kish March 18, 2010 at 8:22 am

    email subscriber

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  • by Sandy Miresse March 18, 2010 at 8:57 am

    I agree that being bilingual is very important. I learned that

    “Our program and products have been created by a teacher, translated by native Spanish-speaking early childhood experts and used successfully in preschools, public schools and homes for more than six years.”

  • by Sandy Miresse March 18, 2010 at 8:59 am

    I tried to vote for you. This is what I got …
    Female Hot Blogger (Poll Closed)
    Sorry!!

  • by Sandy Miresse March 18, 2010 at 9:01 am

    I do follow you on Twitter and I tweeted.
    http://twitter.com/slmiresse/status/10677502436

  • by Sandy Miresse March 18, 2010 at 9:02 am

    I’m also an email subscriber (joahsgrandma@yahoo.com)

  • by Sandy Miresse March 18, 2010 at 9:06 am

    I shared the giveaway on fb. I don’t know if this link works because I never tried capturing it before :o )

    http://www.facebook.com/#!/slmiresse?v=feed&story_fbid=376950797420&ref=mf

  • by Akiko March 18, 2010 at 9:36 am

    I didn’t know the role of puppets in learning a new language. I am Japanese – Brazilian and my husband is Caucasian. We try hard to get our daughter to speak Japanese or learn some so that she can talk to her grandparents but it has been a challenge. I believe I am the one who has to make sure I am consistent and only speak to her in Japanese… She is almost 5 and now she understands Japanese but replies in English. It is just easier for her… Her daycare provider is a Mexican lady so I believe she will be thrilled to see this product. She tries to teach them Spanish and some Mexican traditions and festivities. I love your blog by the way!

  • by Rachel C March 18, 2010 at 11:25 am

    I learned that bilingual children also learn to read earlier.

  • by Rachel C March 18, 2010 at 11:25 am

    email subscriber

  • by cherice March 18, 2010 at 11:30 am

    You can sign up for their Free eNewsletter ($299.99 value)! Thanks for the chance.

  • by cherice March 18, 2010 at 11:31 am

    I subscribe :)

  • by cherice March 18, 2010 at 11:33 am

    I voted for Rockin’ Mama! Thanks.

  • by hippie4ever March 18, 2010 at 4:56 pm

    bilingual children have an advantage in learning, they read earlier and understand language concepts silenttributary(at)yahoo(dot)com

  • by hippie4ever March 18, 2010 at 4:57 pm

    subscriber silenttributary(at)yahoo(dot)com

  • by Marci March 18, 2010 at 5:06 pm

    I learned that company is going green!!!

  • by Marci March 18, 2010 at 5:06 pm

    Email Subscriber!

  • by shannon Baas March 18, 2010 at 6:08 pm

    That its better to start them early.

  • by Celestia March 18, 2010 at 6:18 pm

    A study found that bilingual children understood better than monolingual children the general symbolic representation of print — meaning that bilingual children learn to read sooner than monolingual children (Bialystok, 1997).

  • by Celestia March 18, 2010 at 6:18 pm

    I’m also a follower!

  • by Celestia March 18, 2010 at 6:26 pm

    Everytime I try to vote for you, it tells me the poll is closed.

  • by Candice Orpesa March 18, 2010 at 7:37 pm

    I learned that over 28 million homes in the United States have Spanish as their first language…wow totally did not know that!
    hope i win thanks!

  • by Candice Orpesa March 18, 2010 at 7:40 pm
  • by Candice Orpesa March 18, 2010 at 7:40 pm

    i subscribe via email
    thanks!!!

  • by Candice Orpesa March 18, 2010 at 7:41 pm

    I voted for you…hope you win…hope i win lol

  • by Jaque March 18, 2010 at 8:31 pm

    I learned Beth Butler has received several awards including The Teacher’s Choice Award in 2007.

    Thank you. :-)

  • by Carol March 19, 2010 at 4:43 am

    I learned this: Why should Spanish be the language of choice?

    • Over 28 million homes in the United States have Spanish as their first language.
    • There are currently over 44 million Latino people living the United States.
    • Spanish is the most requested language program in the United States.
    • Learning Spanish as a second language allows a child to be able to communicate with over 300 million more people worldwide.

  • by Carol March 19, 2010 at 4:43 am

    follow on twitter cdziuba and tweeted http://twitter.com/cdziuba/status/10718280883

  • by Carol March 19, 2010 at 4:44 am

    I used your Share button and posted your giveaway on my Facebook page Carol P Dziuba

  • by Carol March 19, 2010 at 4:44 am

    subscriber

  • by Carol March 19, 2010 at 4:45 am

    voted last week

  • by Ellen C. March 19, 2010 at 10:08 am

    I learned that bilingual children perform better in math on standardized tests than other children. Thanks for the chance.

  • by Ellen C. March 19, 2010 at 10:08 am

    I’m a google subscriber.

  • by edq143 March 19, 2010 at 10:22 am

    this looks great

  • by Autumn B. March 19, 2010 at 12:00 pm

    After the age of 6, the ability to learn a second language goes down dramatically

    autumn398 @ yahoo.com

  • by DEBBIE STANTON March 19, 2010 at 1:39 pm

    I learned that “A study found that bilingual children understood better than monolingual children the general symbolic representation of print — meaning that bilingual children learn to read sooner than monolingual children (Bialystok, 1997).”

  • by DEBBIE STANTON March 19, 2010 at 1:40 pm

    email subscriber.

  • by Monique Rizzo March 19, 2010 at 2:14 pm

    The earlier you start the children the easier it is for them to learn. Thanks for the chance.
    mogrill@comcast.net

  • by donn March 19, 2010 at 4:13 pm

    sign me up

  • by JamericanSpice March 19, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    I learn that parents can learn right along with their children as they teach and share.

  • by JamericanSpice March 19, 2010 at 4:36 pm
  • by JamericanSpice March 19, 2010 at 4:43 pm
  • by Lisa March 19, 2010 at 5:38 pm

    It’s fun to learn numbers with Boca. Thanks for this chance to win :-)

  • by Vivian Vega Bolanos March 19, 2010 at 6:56 pm

    Learned that you are Puerto-Rican and you are learning to speak Spanish as an adult. I was actually very lucky that altough I was born and raised in the US (Miami, FL), my Cuban parents taught me Spanish as my first language.

  • by Vivian Vega Bolanos March 19, 2010 at 6:57 pm

    Also tried to vote for you in the contest, but it stated that the poll was “closed.”

  • by Vivian Vega Bolanos March 19, 2010 at 6:58 pm

    Added you to “favorties.”

  • by Jaime P March 19, 2010 at 6:59 pm

    Beth Butler collaborated with Orlando Tech and Progressive Media & Music Studios to unite Spanish, English and American Sign Language in a DVD that is ready for gratis placement on public access TV and cable stations nation wide.

  • by Jaime P March 19, 2010 at 6:59 pm

    email subscriber

  • by Vivian Vega Bolanos March 19, 2010 at 7:01 pm

    Just subscribed to your blog :)

  • by Emily Roesly March 19, 2010 at 8:06 pm

    I learned that bilingual children learn to read sooner than monolingual children. It makes sense, since the more you know, the easier it is to make new associations.

  • by Marcela March 19, 2010 at 11:52 pm

    Their program has been around and used for more than six years!

  • by Carolyn March 20, 2010 at 8:32 pm

    The CD’s can be part of your daily routine learning Spanish a little at a time.

  • by Jana March 21, 2010 at 9:26 pm

    I learned A study found that bilingual children understood better than monolingual children the general symbolic representation of print — meaning that bilingual children learn to read sooner than monolingual children. WOW that is COOL!

  • by Jana March 21, 2010 at 9:27 pm

    I Subscribe to my feed via email

  • by Jana March 21, 2010 at 9:28 pm
  • by Thao March 21, 2010 at 10:53 pm

    Their sample resources link has sample music and movies.

    member (dot) thao (at) gmail.com

  • by Thao March 21, 2010 at 10:54 pm

    I subscribe to email updates
    member (dot) thao (at) gmail.com

  • by Thao March 21, 2010 at 10:57 pm

    http://twitter.com/twinpowells/status/10859302754

    I follow in twitter
    https://twitter.com/twinpowells
    member (dot) thao (at) gmail.com

  • by uberVU - social comments March 21, 2010 at 11:00 pm

    Social comments and analytics for this post…

    This post was mentioned on Twitter by bocabeth: Yahooo! Win $50 worth of CD, DVD, puppet, maraca and book fun to introduce Spanish to your child! Hurry! Enter today: http://tiny.cc/b3ES8...

  • by Mary T. March 23, 2010 at 7:53 am

    I believe that “hearing” the foreign words, such as on the Cd’s, is one of the best ways a young mind learns from; especially when there isn’t someone already living in the household who speaks the language.

  • by Mary T. March 23, 2010 at 8:00 am

    I just signed up for your emails.

  • by MamaGames March 23, 2010 at 8:31 am

    Thanks for the chance to win! I love reading all the ways that Beth suggests we can learn Spanish by taking just a few minutes, consistently, every day.

  • by Sarah Coulsey March 23, 2010 at 4:28 pm

    Babies can learn to understand multiple languages soooo much faster then adults!!

    sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com

  • by Sarah Coulsey March 23, 2010 at 4:29 pm

    I voted for you on Hot Calendar

    sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com

  • by Sarah Coulsey March 23, 2010 at 4:30 pm

    I am an email and reader subscriber

    sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com

  • by marc March 24, 2010 at 8:27 am

    learned that the company is going green

  • by Sue E March 24, 2010 at 6:26 pm

    Email subscriber

  • by lynn March 24, 2010 at 9:46 pm

    Children learn languages faster than adults.

  • by lynn March 24, 2010 at 9:46 pm

    Tried to vote but poll was closed.

  • by lynn March 24, 2010 at 9:48 pm

    sub via email

  • by lynn March 24, 2010 at 9:48 pm

    Blogged here.

  • by lynn March 24, 2010 at 9:54 pm

    following and Tweeted here.

  • by Elizabeth Mai March 29, 2010 at 12:34 pm

    I didn’t know that puppets help to bring out native and new language in children.
    elizabethpickens@yahoo.com

  • by Michal David March 30, 2010 at 10:46 am

    I didn’t know about the important role of the puppets to learn

  • by Michal David March 30, 2010 at 10:48 am

    Follow you on twitter an tweeted
    http://twitter.com/mimidavid2

  • by Michal David March 30, 2010 at 10:49 am

    Call me crazy lol but can’t find you on the list to vote…sorry :(

  • by Michal David March 30, 2010 at 10:51 am

    Subscribed to the feed via email

  • by JamericanSpice March 30, 2010 at 11:34 am

    Beth Butler has received several awards including The Teacher’s Choice Award in 2007

  • by Vanessa March 30, 2010 at 1:44 pm

    I learned that their program and products have been created by a teacher, translated by native Spanish-speaking early childhood experts and used successfully in preschools, public schools and homes for more than six years.

  • by Vanessa March 30, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    I’m following you on Twitter and Tweet: http://twitter.com/jewelsntreasure/status/11327702912

  • by Vanessa March 30, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    I subscribed via reader!

  • by Vanessa March 30, 2010 at 1:50 pm

    I tried to vote for you, but Poll was closed! :(

  • by Kristin Dunneback March 30, 2010 at 2:35 pm

    I am almost finished with my teaching certification to be a Spanish teacher. (I am not a native speaker). I am obsessed with learning the language! I have a 8 month old son who is deaf in one ear so his doctor told me to constantly verbalize with him. So I constantly read to him, talk through everything we are doing (changing diaper, etc) and show him things. I started with the Spanish right when he was born and I am hoping it helps aid in his development. I LOVED all the tips I found on this site and I plan on incorporating them in my home as well as in the classroom! I especially liked the idea of doing one thing a day at home. This way it isn’t overload but you still get practice time in with your kids. Thanks for all the ideas!

  • by Stacy March 31, 2010 at 6:10 pm

    I learned that Boca Beth is Winner of prestigious parenting and educational awards

  • by Stacy March 31, 2010 at 6:12 pm

    following on twitter!
    I am hopin to win this one! I have a 3yo and we homeschool it would be great if I could get this to start Spanish now!

  • by Holly G. March 31, 2010 at 10:12 pm

    I learned that they’ve gone Green with their packaging.

  • by Ron C March 31, 2010 at 11:13 pm

    Boca Beth’s award-winning products are teacher-created and
    classroom tested

  • by Sherri April 1, 2010 at 6:20 am

    I subscribed to the reader feed.

  • by Sherri April 1, 2010 at 6:21 am

    I shared on facebook.

  • by Sherri April 1, 2010 at 6:49 am

    I blogged. I would love to win this for my 3 year old daughter (she’ll be 4 in a couple of weeks). I’ve been trying to incorporate spanish (and other languages) in our daily conversation, just with the few words and phrases that I know and pick up on. We would both really benefit from the boca beth materials. I want us to learn as much spanish as possible the next few months because we’re planning a trip to Puerto Rico in July or August. Also, with her birthday coming up, this would be a great birthday present for her!

  • by Sherri April 1, 2010 at 6:56 am

    I would have voted for you on hot blogger, but I couldn’t find you. Sorry.

  • by Cari April 1, 2010 at 8:08 am

    It was helpful to read this, as my husband and I want to raise our kids to be bilingual, but have been finding it harder than we realized. I want to put more effort into it to make it happen.

  • by Steph April 1, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    I learned that “Ms. Butler lived in Chile and Mexico, then spent more than 15 years in preschool and elementary school classrooms.”

  • by Steph April 1, 2010 at 12:26 pm

    Subscribe via email.

  • by shawna April 1, 2010 at 4:53 pm

    I learned that Time magazine reported “The ability to learn a second language is highest between birth and the age of six, then undergoes a steady and inexorable decline.” (Nash, 1997). wow!!!! that’s amazing!
    mainlandmama at gmail dot com

  • by shawna April 1, 2010 at 4:55 pm

    I subscribe.

  • by Alison April 1, 2010 at 8:27 pm

    This company was started by Beth Butler who is a bilingual educator. :)

    THANK YOU!

  • by Chrysa April 1, 2010 at 9:28 pm

    I learned the BOCA BETH TV Program is now enjoyed via TV on The Education Channel in Tampa, Florida

  • by Chrysa April 1, 2010 at 9:28 pm

    I’m subscribed to your RSS feed in my Google Reader.

  • by Gianna April 1, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    Bilingual children perform better in math on standardized tests than other children.

  • by kathy pease April 1, 2010 at 10:03 pm

    Time magazine reported “The ability to learn a second language is highest between birth and the age of six, then undergoes a steady and inexorable decline.” (Nash, 1997)
    Children who learn a second language early in life will most often speak with native pronunciation.

  • by kathy pease April 1, 2010 at 10:04 pm
  • by kathy pease April 1, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    email subscriber

  • by janet April 1, 2010 at 10:31 pm

    I learned If a young child has a number of positive experiences with another language, he or she can become quite receptive to learning other languages.

  • by janet April 1, 2010 at 10:32 pm

    Im a twitter and facebook fan
    jmahurin40

  • by dawn April 1, 2010 at 11:28 pm

    I learned that over 28 million homes in the United States have Spanish as their first language.

    mightynaynay(at)cs.com

  • by Lily Kwan April 2, 2010 at 12:53 am

    I learned that the company is located in Tampa, Florida.

  • by Lily Kwan April 2, 2010 at 1:07 am

    I subscribed to your email feed.

  • by Randall Curran April 5, 2010 at 4:04 pm

    I subscribe via email.

  • by Christine Sarkauskas May 2, 2010 at 7:53 pm

    subscribe by email
    ctazie(at)aol(dot)com

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