Explanations

TIPS FOR RAISING A BILINGUAL CHILD

Here we can see how a Thai woman makes sure her son also learns English and Spanish. Let's see how she does it.

Equivalences between Spanish and English colours:
Rojo = red
Azul = blue
Verde = green
Morado = purple
Rosa = pink
Amarillo = yellow
Naranja = orange (the boy calls it "magic red")
Marrón = brown
Negro = black
Blanco = white

CRAYON= /kreən/ any kind of pencil or similar which writes or draws in a specific colour (see picture).

HOW ABOUT +++?= We use this phrase to ask for the same information but about something different:
- This is red. How about that one? = and what colour is that one? (we're still talking about colours but now referring to a different crayon)
- I'm French. How about you? = what nationality are you? (I told about my nationality and now I'm asking for the same information but about you)
- On Sunday it's going to rain - Oh, damn! How about Sunday? = What will the weather be like on Sunday, is it going to rain too?
- I know I like it, but how about you? = do you like it too?
We can also say WHAT ABOUT XX?
- I'm hungry, what about you? = are you hungry?

Notice all the different expressions of encouragement the mother is constantly using to motivate her son:
-- very good! / ok / alright / yes! / that's very nice / good job! / you did them all!
Also repetition is the key for a good feedback, so the kid knows if he was right or what is the right way to say it:
- Verde. Alright.
- ok, verde is green. Yes.
And notice the way she poses her questions (notice that she never says "no, that's wrong", she either moves on to a different colour or helps him get it right):
- What is that/this?
- Azul. Means?
- How about that?
- Purple is...?
- How about this one, pink?
- What is it, yellow? Ama-...
- How about this one, do you know this one, brown?
- What's that again? Ma-... ma-...
- How about white? Do you know white?

And, of course, with a baby, having fun and laughing is important. They love making their parents laugh, that tends to make them do it again, so if we show surprise or laugh when they get it right, they will get a huge reinforcement and also will want to keep on doing it right.