Las vacas no pueden saltar - Cows Can't Jump

This is a sponsored book post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. It may use affiliate links.

I frequently get requests from bilingual families for book recommendations. And now that I have an almost preschooler in my house again, I'm always on the lookout for bilingual board books with full text in both English and Spanish. But they can be hard to find. So after I saw a copy of Las vacas no pueden saltar (aff link), I knew it was a good fit for MommyMaestra readers.

In fact, while I was looking at a review copy of the book, my 2-year-old walked into the room and immediately crawled onto my lap demanding that I read it to him. Which I was happy to do. When we finished, I asked him what he could and couldn't do. He said he couldn't fly, but that he could jump, jump, JUMP. (He then promptly proved it.)

Have you seen the English version, Cows Can't Jump, by Dave Reisman? Well, the bilingual version is even better because it allows bilingual families or classrooms to choose which language they want to focus on while reading. And the storyline is equally fun in both languages for little people with big imaginations. 

Reisman's book introduces children to animals and their abilities. You'll discover not only what specific animals can't do, but also what they CAN do. Check out this excerpt from the book...

"Los gorilas no pueden nadar...pero pueden columpiarse. Las jirafas no pueden columpiarse...pero pueden galopar.

Gorillas can't swim...but they can swing. Giraffes can't swing...but they can gallop." 

And so this book goes, on and on, animal after animal, teaching children all about animals and their special skills. Beautiful in its simplicity, the literacy nut in me delights in all the action verbs that children learn about as they go through the book.

For these exact reasons, this book is a treasure for language learners, also. What a great way to teach vocabulary - especially Spanish reflexive verbs!

The illustrations are engaging, too. Each page shows the subject animal doing - or not doing as the case may be - the various activities. Take a look...

What I love best about this book is how it prompted my toddler to go and find all his animal figures and start playing with them. Imaginative play is so important! And that, to me, is what makes a book a keeper.

Las vacas no pueden saltar / Cows Can't Jump is available both in paperback and board book versions.

Free Download: Bilingual Alphabet Pages

Many parents are opting to preschool their children at home. So much has happened in recent years -- maybe too much for some of us. They/we are taking the extra time to spend with their little ones and keep them safe while learning those important skills and concepts that preschoolers need to master. One thing I had started working on before Covid-19 burst upon the scene and took over our lives was this set of bilingual alphabet pages for my toddler. He's still young, so it is an introduction for him. And hopefully, a way to keep him engaged while I am helping his older brother with school.

Printable Bilingual Alphabet Worksheets

This set of alphabet pages is unique because I chose images of items that all start with the same letter in both English and Spanish. So you can choose whichever language you prefer to use with your child. Just print the letter you are looking for and share it with your child. 

Ways to Use Them

These pages are versatile and may be used any way you want. But if you are looking for some suggestions, here's what I recommend:

• Choose the language you want to use (English or Spanish).
• Give your child the page and let them color the images.
• Ask them if they know what letter is on the page.
• Point to the letter and say its name, then say the sound it makes. Start with the capital letter and then repeat with the lowercase letter.
• Point to the images at the top of the page and say their names. Be sure to emphasize the beginning sound of each one (ex., ah-ah-aguacate or ah-ah-avocado).
• Have them practice writing the letters on the lines at the bottom of the page.

How to Add Variety

Some children love repetition. They enjoy the security of knowing what to expect. In this instance, following the same routine with these alphabet pages is important. 

But some children (like my youngest) love the unexpected. I change things up for him this way: Depending on the letter, we decorate it a totally different way each time. Here are some different ways to "color" a letter:

• use crayons
• use markers
• use colored pencils
• use play-dough to fill in the letters 
• use dot markers
• use Q-tips dipped in washable paint
• use fingerpaints (washable!!!)
• use watercolors
• use chalk
• use stickers to fill the letters
• use stamps to fill
• dip a pencil eraser into paint or stamp ink and fill the letters with dots
• glue yarn inside the letters
• glue pasta to them
• glue buttons in them
• glue pompoms in them
• fill the letters with beans
• fill the letters with rice
• fill the letters with Cheerios
• fill with water bottle caps
• place miniature figures (dinosaurs, horses, etc.) inside the letters
• use Legos to fill them
• cover the letter shape with sticky notes
  
  

There is no limit. Use your imagination!

Great Activity to Keep Younger Children Busy

It's been hard to keep my oldest son focused on his school work. And my preschooler is getting into everything and demanding our attention when I'm trying to help his older brother. So these pages are one activity that makes him feel like he's also doing school with his brother. And they also keep him occupied while I teach my older child.

If you are also in the same boat with little ones underfoot making school time difficult, I hope these  help you as much as they help me! 

Just print and go.

Click here to download

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• Cometa Creativa: A Preschool Spanish Workbook

Learning Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers

I have been on the hunt for some serious learning toys for my two-year-old. I don't want to buy him mindless toys that just blink and make noise and, in the end, really have no redeeming value. You know what I mean?

So I've been searching for toys that teach important concepts that he'll love and play with for more than 20 seconds.

I've found some great ones and have listed them here in a growing list of fabulous toys for kids 2 - 4 years old. Just click on the tab that says Learning Toys for Toddlers & Preschoolers.

I want to know, what are YOUR favorite finds for this age group? I want to know! If it is something you love, tell me why so that I can consider getting it for my kid and to share with other MommyMaestras!

Here are some of my top choices from the list...

Mini Motor Math Activity Set 

Includes Counting, Pattern, Addition and Subtraction Activities

Ages 3+

For a long time, I've had my eye on something similar but it used owls. Then I read the reviews and realized the set doesn't come with enough owls! So then I discovered this set and I think it solves the issue. It's great for counting, color recognition, and pattern recognition, to name a few. 

Plus, my boy will love it.

Alphabet Acorns Activity Set

78 Pieces, Visual & Tactile Learning Toy

Ages 3+

I just bought this set for my little guy. Each acorn has a surprise hidden inside that begins with the letter on the acorn. What a great way to help teach the alphabet!

Veggie Farm Sorting Set

Pretend Play Food, 46 Pieces

Ages 3+

This is another awesome activity for busy little fingers. Kids can learn colors, numbers, and foods with this little set. I love that it utilizes the entire box, including the lid!

Like these ideas? Check out my list! It has lots of other great choices.

Learning Toys for Toddlers

The World Health Organization recommends that children between the ages of 2 and 4 spend no more than one hour staring at a screen each day (newborns up to age 2 should have NONE). But that's super hard for parents in today's technology-driven society. Screens are everywhere! And it is especially difficult for those of us with older children or nieces and nephews who whip out their phones when they come to visit.

This post contains affiliate links. 

There are two ways that I personally battle this. The first is to spend a LOT of time reading. We have books everywhere in the house. And my 21-month-old constantly brings me books to read. I try really hard to stop what I'm doing and read to him when I can. Or I make one of my older kids read to him.

The second way is by providing my kid with plenty of non-electronic toys. I try to focus on toys that inspire imaginative play or that develop important fine-motor skills. With two older kids, we still have tons of leftover action figures, animals, blocks, and vehicles.

But I also am building up my collection of wooden puzzles and learning toys. Two of my favorites are the bilingual wood puzzles shown at the top of this post from Begin Again. The chameleon puzzle is still a little hard for him to put together, but he loves playing with the pieces and watching me put it together. I use it to teach him colors and take my time showing him how the pieces connect together. I also love that it has the words and numbers printed in English and Spanish on the individual pieces, which helps me raise him in a print-rich environment.

The other is a gear stacker. It's super fun and an important toy for developing his fine-motor skills through stacking (a very important activity for toddlers). It also has the colors printed in English and Spanish on the gears.

He plays with both of these on a daily basis and I'm always having to hunt down pieces that he's carried off. I love that he loves them.

Recently, I bought a lacing apple for quiet play in church. I used it for the first time last Sunday and it was a success! Sorry, I left it at church, so I can't take a picture. But it is the same one in the middle of the image below.

You can find these and many others on my Learning Toys for Toddlers Idea Page on Amazon. Here's just a peek at some of the toys I recommend because I already have them or I want to buy them. Check out the little robots! Those are next on my list to purchase.

PBS KIDS Toys now at Whole Foods {GIVEAWAY}

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with PBS KIDS. All thoughts and opinions espressed below are my own.

Did you know that you can now find PBS KIDS toys at your local Whole Foods Market? These earth-friendly toys have been designed to inspire curiosity and help you raise happy, healthy kids. The line is geared for young children ages 6 months to 3 years old and includes

• race cars made from recycled milk bottles 
• colorful, wooden vehicles assembled by hand from local wood in Vermont 
• shape sorters (recently named a National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) silver award winner) 
• stackers that inspire a love for fruits and veggies 
• super soft plush animals made with phthalate- and PVC-free materials 
• organic t-shirts and infant onesies with vintage designs

I love that all of the products are made with safe, non-toxic materials and inks, and all the packaging is made from recycled materials. Many of the toys are produced in the USA from sustainable materials, responsibly harvested from local communities. So the partnership with Whole Foods makes sense, no?

And the best part is knowing that if you purchase one of these toys this holiday season, 100% of PBS KIDS’ net proceeds will benefit the media brand’s mission of empowering children through knowledge, critical thinking and imagination. And Whole Foods Market will donate 1% of the total sales, up to $25,000, to Whole Kids Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving children’s nutrition and wellness.

THE GIVEAWAY

PBS KIDS and Whole Foods Market have donated a set of Scoot wooden toys (great stocking stuffers!) and a plush animal for one MommyMaestra reader!

To enter to win, simply use the Rafflecopter below.

¡Buena suerte!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am a PBS KID Ambassador and received sample products for the purpose of this review and giveaway. All thoughts and opinions espressed below are my own.