IMMERSION AT HOME

Please help us make this as useful as possible for families.

Disclaimer below. Have feedback or recommendations to share? Let us know hwispa-nj@hwis.org

Tips for print media

Check out Spanish- and Chinese-language kids' books in public town libraries. You can usually get a library card without being a resident.

Spanish: New Providence Memorial Library, Millburn Free Public Library
Chinese: Millburn Free Public Library, Summit Free Public Library

HWISPA will hold a 📚 Bilingual Book Fair in February for Chinese and Spanish books.

Tips for audio media

Use a separate podcast app for kids' podcast, such as Overcast.

Screen-free audio players with bilingual content are available:

Spanish: Tonies, Yoto
Chinese: Luka

Tips for video media

Set TV in your target language:

Netflix: Create a kids' profile and set the kids' profile language to your target language. Turn on subtitles.
Disney+: Change the language and subtitles per show or movie.
YouTube: Change the language and subtitles per show or movie. Set up kids' profiles or use YouTube for kids to limit content.

Chinese media

Compiled from teacher and parent recommendations.

Books

Online dictionaries

Youdao

Online stores

Podcasts

从前从前 Once Upon a Time (Apple Podcasts)
妈妈老师，我想问问题 Ask Mama Laoshi (Apple Podcasts, Spotify)
儿童故事: 三国演义 Kids' Stories: Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Apple Podcasts)
一起说故事 Let's Tell Stories Together (Apple Podcasts)
妈爹讲故事 Mom and Dad Tell Stories (Apple Podcasts)

TV for older kids

米小圈上学记 School Chronicles of Mi Xiao Quan (Tencent/WeTV)
邋遢大王奇遇记 The Adventures of Sloppy King (YouTube)
This nostalgic cartoon tells the story of a boy who never keeps himself clean and ends up in a strange, magical land. He learns the importance of personal hygiene through his adventures.
西游记 Journey to the West (YouTube)
Cartoon adaptation of one of the classic Chinese literature novels.

TV for younger kids

Apps usually have English-language interfaces.

爱奇艺 iQIYI: Chinese TV app with kids' shows
腾讯 Tencent/WeTV: Chinese TV app with kids' shows

Chinese kids' TV

妈妈老师 Mama Laoshi (YouTube)
超级飞侠 Super Wings (YouTube)
家有灶君 We Have a Kitchen God (iQiyi)
大头儿子小头爸爸 Big Head Son and Small Head Dad (YouTube)
A classic 10-minute cartoon loved by generations of children in China.
熊出没 Boonie Bears (Tencent/WeTV, YouTube)
Big franchise in China with TV, movies, and theme parks
乐乐 TV (YouTube)

TV with Mandarin dubbing and subtitles

小猪佩奇 Peppa Pig
动物兄弟 Wild Kratts
海底小纵队 Octonauts (Netflix, YouTube)
A fun underwater adventure series that teaches teamwork and ocean knowledge.
动物神探队 Creature Cases (Netflix, Tencent/WeTV)
Ada Twist, Scientist (Netflix)
Magic School Bus (Netflix)

Spanish media

Compiled from teacher and parent recommendations.

Books

Online stores

Magazines

High Five Bilingüe

Podcasts

Brains On en Español (Spotify)

TV for older kids

El Autobús Mágico (Netflix, YouTube)
The adventures of bilingual twins who move to the US from Latin America.

TV for younger kids

PBS Kids en Español
Aprende Peque (YouTube)
Telelingo (YouTube)
Super Simple Español (YouTube)
Pocoyo (Website, Netflix, YouTube)
Maya y Miguel (PBS Kids, YouTube)
Little Einsteins (Disney+, YouTube)
Kids travel to countries around the world and learn about art, music, and other cultures.
Dora la Exploradora (YouTube)

Disclaimer: Recommendations and links on this page are provided for informational purposes only. Content, availability, and streaming sources may change without notice, and viewer discretion is advised regarding content ratings, mature themes, or subject matter that may not be suitable for all audiences. HWISPA and HWIS do not host, control, or take responsibility for third-party streaming platforms or their content, and assume no liability for issues arising from their use.

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