We want to incorporate German into our everyday lives, despite living in an area where English is so dominant. Since we are not native speakers, it’s even more challenging and sometimes can take a bit of planning and time.  Here’s just a brief insight [...]]]>

We have all these great resources, but how do we use them?

We want to incorporate German into our everyday lives, despite living in an area where English is so dominant. Since we are not native speakers, it’s even more challenging and sometimes can take a bit of planning and time.  Here’s just a brief insight into our activities.

To use German every day, we have German-only activities. For example, the car is primarily a German zone, where the kids choose their favorite songs or Hörbücher (audio books). Bedtime reading has always been in German, both when the kids were younger and we were reading aloud, and now in elementary school when the kids read alone. Their school teachers have been very supportive in our efforts too, allowing the kids to read in German for their reading assignments.

We’ve also settled into a pattern of using German for certain activities (e.g. setting the table, getting ready for bed, etc.). It’s simple conversation, but it often leads to more conversation in German once we get into the swing of things. And it’s easier to take the kids’ backseat driving in German — especially when T2 is doing her Navi impression back there (“Nach 100 Meter, links abbiegen”).

Our main goal is to “make German fun”, so we often have a “softer touch” when it comes to German.  The kids have learned that they’re more likely to get a “yes” for many German activities than for English.  For example, we allow 20 minutes of German video before school in the morning if they have time. We wouldn’t be so lenient with English, but the effect it has had on their German makes it worthwhile.  They are expanding their vocabulary and comprehension, learning “every day kid” German, and getting some cultural background.  We do allow a mix of original and translated videos — we want them to be familiar with German culture, hence “Prinzessin Lillifee“  or “Sendung mit der Maus“, but they also need points of contact with their school friends.  So they can watch “Madagascar” in German but still discuss it with their American friends.  That variety exposes them to a broad spectrum of vocabulary, grammar and cultural influences.

We’d like to start sharing the things we’ve learned along the way, but first it seems that [...]]]>

Raising bilingual kids can be hard work but it’s hugely rewarding.  We’ve been at it for almost 10 years now, and have collected a bag of tricks that work well for our family or for friends in our area.

We’d like to start sharing the things we’ve learned along the way, but first it seems that introductions are in order.

We are Thea and Erik.  We live in the Pacific Northwest with our 2 children, whom we refer to online as “T1″ and “T2″ to protect their privacy.  They are avid readers and media sponges, who both speak and read German fluently.  Our son, “T1″, is nearly 11 and loves video games, Pokemon, Beyblade, Legos and skiing.  Our daughter, “T2″, is 8 — she’s musical and loves animals, crafts and gymnastics.

The kids are as excited as we are about Alphabet Garten, and have started compiling lists of their personal recommendations.  We’ll be incorporating those on the website as we settle in.

Speaking of settling in, just a heads up that new inventory should be arriving shortly.  We hope you love the new selections and always appreciate your feedback.  Just send us an e-mail or comment on the website.

Schöne Grüße,
Thea and Erik

We’re working to get things online again as quickly as possible and are a bit occupied with all of the technical and accounting details, but we do [...]]]>

The sale of Alphabet Garten is now official, and the website is down during the transfer of ownership. We’ll send (and post) another update once the site is back.

We’re working to get things online again as quickly as possible and are a bit occupied with all of the technical and accounting details, but we do want to take a moment to introduce ourselves.

We are Thea and Erik, and we live in the Pacific Northwest with our two children (8 and 11).  Both children speak and read German fluently, so we’re very familiar with both the challenges and rewards of raising bilingual children.  Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll have much more to share about ourselves, our journey, and some of the things we’ve learned along the way.

Alphabet Garten has been a valuable resource to us throughout that journey, and we’ve come to count Sarah amongst our friends. We will continue to provide the same great selection and service that Sarah has been providing for many years.

Please feel free to contact us directly at thea@alphabet-garten.com with your comments or suggestions. We’ll also be posting small updates on FACEBOOK. We look forward to getting to know you, and to serving your German-language needs!

Sincerely yours,

Thea and Erik

 Wir freuen uns auf Weihnachten is a delightful Christmas book.  It has countless cutout shapes in each page, cleverly turning colors and pictures into another item on the next page.  The story begins in a Kindergarten class preparing for Weihnachtsmarkt.  The room is full of crafts and a hanging advent calendar.  The next [...]]]>  

 Wir freuen uns auf Weihnachten is a delightful Christmas book.  It has countless cutout shapes in each page, cleverly turning colors and pictures into another item on the next page.  The story begins in a Kindergarten class preparing for Weihnachtsmarkt.  The room is full of crafts and a hanging advent calendar.  The next page introduces us to Julia and her family.  They are getting ready to go to the Weihnachtsmarkt.  At the Weihnachtsmarkt Papa buys a Christmas tree and Julia rides on a carrousel.

The background picture shows a few Weihnachtsmarkt booths.  At home, Julia bakes Plätzchen with her mom and little brother.  She also helps to decorate the tree, listens to a Blaskapelle on Marktplatz with her family, and on Christmas day she and her brother receive their Christmas gifts!

The text is a great length for toddlers.  The illustrations are the highlight though!  It is fun to find the details in the pictures, such as signs, household items lying around and what people and animals are doing in the background.  The cutouts are by far the most impressive.  The front cover has sparkled-gold coloring and a couple Weihnachtsmarkt signs.   This makes a beautiful family book that celebrates Christmas.

Age recommendation: 2-4
Fluency recommendation: Beginner
Submitted by: Rebecca Bluemel

Caillou und der kleine Hund tells the story of Caillou’s adventures helping his grandmother take care of a dog named Albert.  In doing so, Caillou discovers that he wants a dog all of his own.  When [...]]]> My two year old son loves Caillou, and he particularly enjoyed being able to experience Caillou in German!

Caillou und der kleine Hund tells the story of Caillou’s adventures helping his grandmother take care of a dog named Albert.  In doing so, Caillou discovers that he wants a dog all of his own.  When his parents won’t let him get a dog, Caillou discovers that his stuffed toy dog can be his very own pet.

This story is wonderful for encouraging children to use their imaginations.  I liked the fact that, while Caillou did not get what he wanted, he was still happy with his pretend dog.  This book provides a gentle reminder to children that they can still have fun even when they don’t get their way.

Age recommendation: 2-6

Fluency recommendation:  Intermediate

Submitted by:  Melissa M.

Caillou und der kleine Hund is available from Alphabet Garten

The flap windows are a huge plus for the little ones.   There are a lot [...]]]>