What a concept! An online toy retailer which sells dolls, books and products that actually represents this country’s growing multicultural population.

In fact, check out Dolls Like Me’s philosophy: “Children need to see the world the way it really is. They need to begin to develop global understanding, cultural awareness, and self-esteem as early as possible–and children of color need positive images that look like them.” I totally agree, don’t you?

I first stumbled upon Dolls Like Me way back when we started SpanglishBaby. I was writing this post about bilingual toys and I was flabbergasted by how little I could find out there made with bilingual + bicultural kids in mind. The thing is that as the minority population increases in the U.S., more and more companies are realizing the need for products to reflect our country’s growing cultural diversity. Luckily, Dolls Like Me has basically gathered it all under one site. Therefore, you can find all sorts of stuff in this multicultural online store including puppets, memory books, costumes and hair + skin products–to name a few.

As its name states, you will find a variety of ‘ethnic’ dolls. In other words, dolls that represent what us Latinas–and most probably our children–look like. The website’s selection of dolls is fairly large, but my favorite is one called Apolonia from the Dominican Republic. Although pricey (it goes for $99), the doll is absolutely stunning. It actually looks like a collectible and I can’t imagine what it would end up looking like at the mercy of my three-year-old.

Because their selection of products is so large, I suggest you actually go visit the website so you can see for yourself all the wonderful multicultural stuff you can get your hands on for both your kids and as gifts for others.

Dolls Like Me has been generous enough to offer you a limited time 10% SpanglishBabyFinds Discount on everything in their store in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. The discount will be valid from now until October 31, 2009.  To take advantage of this offer, use discount code: spanglish at checkout.

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Secret Phrase: "One of the greatest feats of human development is the acquisition of language. "

As much as we´d like to avoid technology and fill our kids’ days with pure and natural activities, the reality is they are growing up in a different era where well-balanced technological skills are a necessity.  Why not offer  your child some fun and educational computer play while learning some words and phrases in Spanish at the same time?  Win-win!

Go Go Lingo is a new on-line language game that uses animated games and a fun “playful immersion method” to teach children in the 3-7 age range some 200 words in Spanish.  I was very excited when I found out about it a couple of months ago and wished my daughter was more in the age range to play with it.  Well, I sat her down anyway while I played around with my Lingo (the fuzzy character that learns the language with you).  I found that the colorful animations work wonders at trapping a kid’s distracted attention, the large hand-shaped pointer makes it easier for them to control the mouse and the vivid audio captivates.

However, even if my daughter didn’t fall within the age range, she was still too advanced for the simple Spanish words since that is her primary language for now.  This story-driven game is designed for English native speakers wanting to learn or increase their vocabulary in Spanish. I would also recommend it for OPOL families or those using a Time & Place method as one more tool to engage them in Spanish activities they will enjoy.  Especially since the Go Go Lingo experience customizes itself to your child’s personal learning curve.  So, the more she plays, the more vocabulary is introduced and she will learn.

Go Go Lingo has also understood that parental involvement in a child’s language learning and their love for it is a must.  To this extent, they’ve created an excellent resource area for parents to get expert advice and commune with other parents via their forum. What I can see parents enjoying the most is the Parent’s Dashboard and weekly emails which track your child’s progress with charts and lists of words she’s been learning.  This is helpful for  you to continue the language learning experience at home. They even provide  you with tips and downloadable activities just for that.

This is a Find we suggest you check out for yourself because it’s the best way to know if it’s for you.  Luckily, you can do just that right now since they have a free sign-up trial for a limited time only.  Go here to sign up.  Let us know what you think!

Secret Phrase: "One of the greatest feats of human development is the acquisition of language. "

Why did I not know about Latin Baby on-line boutique two years ago when friends and family were showering me with gifts for the upcoming arrival of our girl?  I would have been such an original if I´d set up my baby registry with them, a site that celebrates our hispanic culture and traditions.

My registry would have included these for sure:

• Del Sol Quilt–OK, I know they´re pricey, but so one-of-a-kind. I would have settled for one!

• Ellaroo Rebozo Wraps–the wrap we had was NOT this colorful or beautiful.

• Baby Tee basket–I would have sweetly demanded (that´s what you do when your pregnant and hormonal) the “Corazoncito” onesie for my Princesa.

• Green and Yellow Beenie set–a crocheted beenie with matching pair of booties.  Who cares if she was born in the middle of August in the dry Los Angeles heat?  She would have looked oh-so cute!  It’s all about the picture, anyway.

Back then I would have never thought of sending out bilingual baby shower invitations, but in retrospect the Latin Baby ones would have been a hit since my shower’s theme was Mexican toys.  Not to mention the Latinita/o baby cake topper!

Could this be inspiration enough to go for the second one?   Not quite.  But now I found a great place for my gift buying!

Latin Baby has been generous enough to offer you a special discount of 25% off everything in their store, excluding the baby quilts, from now until October 31st.  Get a head-start on your Holiday shopping with all the new seasonal products that are already available.  You know you want to be original and at the same time save.  Here’s your chance.
Use dicsount code: SB41009100 at checkout

{Make sure you’re subscribed to the SBFinds feed via email or RSS so that you can be notified of our weekly Finds, special discounts and awesome giveaways.}

Secret Phrase: "One of the greatest feats of human development is the acquisition of language. "