It might appear difficult to raise your children between two cultures, ensuring that they master both languages, especially when they do not practice them everywhere. Reading bilingual French-English books allows children to navigate between the two languages as they please.
Raising a bilingual child
Several studies in Cognitive Science have shown that toddlers and children are able to distinguish very similar sounds, which means they learn foreign languages faster and with a better accent than adults. Moreover, there is no risk of ”overloading” children’s learning abilities when raising a bilingual child. 
They are perfectly capable of discerning the two languages, and learning a new one does not jeopardize their ability to master the first one. On the contrary, growing up bilingual actually improves children’s cognitive function, including their ability to master other languages, but also their creativity, intuition, and imagination.
Take a look at our French-English bilingual books!
Learning French or English later on
Learning a foreign language before the age of 7 seems to be best. However, learning a new language as a child or as a teenager is still a huge asset.
Owning a bilingual French-English book allows your children to read the story as many times as they want, in the language of their choice. They can thereby have fun and understand the story before practicing the foreign language.
Another tactic is to read both texts for each page. Depending on the child and the book, the two strategies might be used. As long as your children have fun and end up reading both languages, they learn new words and sentences and can eventually teach themselves the new language by immersion.
How to choose a bilingual book?
Choosing a bilingual book for your children does not differ much from choosing any other book for them to read. One of the most important things to remember is to allow your children to read for pleasure. Pick a book about a topic they like, such as traveling, dinosaurs, space, etc.
You also have to make sure that the book fits your child’s abilities and age. It shouldn’t be too complex, or they might feel discouraged and under pressure, but shouldn’t be too easy, or they will not feel interested or entertained. Eventually, they will be able to pick their own books by exploring Storyplay’r!
Benefitting from both French and English cultures
On Storyplay’r, you can read French stories in English and English stories in French. Your child might already know a few fables by La Fontaine, but a bilingual version can transform their experience! For instance, try Le Renard et la Cigogne by Dana Monceau & Nadia Leonard. Conversely, you can find Alice in Wonderland in its French and English versions on Storyplay’r.
Don’t forget what makes Storyplay’r different: we offer a range of functionalities surrounding the text. Not only does it make comprehension and pronunciation easier, but it also allows interaction and fun. Why not choose books with songs? In English, you can begin with ABC Melody’s Sing sing swing ! for catchy illustrated songs.
For your little ones, with more French, take a look at the series Twiki et Twini from a French TV show. Once you are used to it, reading and listening to stories in English and French gives you twice as many books to choose from!
Featured picture: Vole, hibou ! - Owl, take wing!, adapted by Storyplay'r
