Advent Calendar – 12 December

Because relatives and friends from both the British and German sides of our family have been asking what my Little Bean would like for Christmas, I’ve been thinking about what would be good for her – something that nurtures her language development, keeps her engaged, and is not just noisy plastic rubbish! 😆

In case anyone else is looking for gift ideas for children in bilingual families, or English-speaking children growing up abroad where another language dominates, I thought I’d share my list. 🎀🎁 It’s a selection of gift ideas that work for children balancing two languages and cultures. From books and games to interactive toys, I hope that these presents would suit any budget, and are focused on helping our little ones learn in both languages while having fun along the way.

1. Books & Reading Resources

• “My First Words” Books: Simple, bilingual books that introduce common words in both languages.
• Parallel Text Books: Stories in both languages on each page, allowing children to follow along in either language.
• Interactive Bilingual Storybooks: Books that read aloud or play sounds in both languages when you press certain words or images.
• Posters & Charts: Alphabet charts, first words, or visual vocabulary posters in English for homes where they may not be readily available.

2. Games & Activities

• Memory, Flash Cards or Picture Matching Games: Can be played in any language, helping kids expand their vocabulary while having fun.
• Workbooks & Activity Books: Age-appropriate colouring books, puzzles, or worksheets in English to reinforce language skills in creative ways.
• Maps & Globes: Bilingual or not, these allow the little ones to explore the world around them, with a focus on the geography of their (parents’) home country and the country they’re growing up in. And who doesn’t love a bit of armchair travel?

3. Tech & Interactive Learning

• Tonie Figures, Yoto Cards, or Similar: Audio devices that play stories, songs, and lessons in English, are perfect for homes where English-language products may be harder to find.
• Audiobooks & Audio Subscriptions: Access to a range of stories, tales, and books in English that can be listened to on the go. Perfect for car rides, long afternoons, or when you just need a bit of quiet time!
• Mini Computers: Interactive learning devices that offer bilingual games and educational activities to enhance both language skills and general knowledge.
• Streaming Services & Apps: Subscriptions to language-learning apps or streaming services with bilingual content, helping kids engage with both languages in a fun, modern way. These might be a good idea for parents and grandpoarents, too, who want/need to brush up on their foreign language skills!

4. Subscriptions

• Magazine Subscriptions: Age-appropriate, bilingual children’s magazines that deliver educational content in both languages and keep kids engaged all year round.
• Ebook lending: Access to ebook libraries or monthly book subscriptions in various languages. The perfect solution for preventing exhausted parents from rereading the same old stories for the umpteenth time!
• Activity or Language Learning Boxes: Monthly kits that include activities, books, and games in both languages, delivered right to the door.

I hope this list helps you out! And if you’ve got other great bilingual gift ideas, please do leave them in the comments below – I’ll be doing this bilingual gift thing for several years yet! 😄