There is no doubt that America is fast becoming a multi-lingual society. Latin, Korean, Indian and Middle Eastern voices can be heard in every major city along with those from the United States, Europe, Africa and Canada. Infants and preschool-aged children, especially, have a capacity for learning multiple languages while their brains are still developing. It is much more difficult to learn another language once one has reached adulthood. If a child doesn't grow up in a bilingual home, there are all sorts of solutions to introducing babies and toddlers to a second language.
One of those methods is to read books aloud that have text in two languages. "Spicy Hot Colors/Colores Picantes" by Sherry Shahan and Paula Barragan is a perfect book for acquainting children with colors in both English and Spanish. Published by August House in 2004, the text dances across the pages full of vibrant colors. From red/rojo chili sauce to yellow/amarillo gourds to brown/pardo bunuelos, the book is filled with fun. All the images and colors come together on the last page for a fiesta. Of course, at the book of the book there is a pronunciation guide and a glossary of some of the words used that may be unfamiliar to young readers.
To further extend the learning of the names of colors in both Spanish and English, children could be given cards that show each of the colors. On one side of the card is the color name in English and on the other, in Spanish. Parents and youngsters could also go on a color walk and name the colors they see in their neighborhood, making sure to use both the English and Spanish word for each one. This book would also be appropriate in an English as a Second Language/ESL classroom for Spanish speakers.
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