LITTLE PIM BLOG
Little Pim Appoints New CEO: Alyson Shapero
NEW YORK, NY - December 21, 2015 Little Pim Appoints New CEO: Alyson Shapero
Little Pim, the leading foreign language learning platform for young children, announced today the appointment of Alyson Shapero as the new CEO, effective January 1, 2016.
Alyson Shapero has been SVP of Sales and Marketing at Little Pim since 2012. Julia Pimsleur, current CEO and Founder of Little Pim, will remain involved with Little Pim as Founder, Board member and spokesperson for the company.
“Alyson has successfully driven our digital and customer acquisition strategy for three years and is one of our greatest assets at Little Pim.” Julia Pimsleur commented. “I have full faith in her leadership and look forward to supporting her and remaining involved on the Board of Directors.”
Shapero brings new leadership to Little Pim at a time when the children’s digital media world is changing rapidly. Shapero has background in digital children’s distribution, customer acquisition and consumer products, having previously worked at Warner Music Group, School of Rock and Razor & Tie Entertainment. She has been instrumental in securing many of Little Pim’s 20+ partnerships and mapping out the vision for Little Pim’s digital future.
Alyson Shapero commented, “Little Pim is increasingly a digital company with strong partnerships across the media landscape and we will continue to build and expand on those. With over three million children ages 0-6 having used our products in the U.S. and in 22 other countries, I look forward to talking Little Pim to its next level of growth and development.”
Julia Pimsleur will work with female entrepreneurs to help them scale up their businesses past $1M in revenues via speaking, online courses and coaching. She recently authored Million Dollar Women: The Essential Guide for Female Entrepreneurs Who Want to Go Big (Simon & Schuster, October 2015, Amazon Top 20 Women & Business).
About Little Pim (www.littlepim.com) · Little Pim 's proprietary Entertainment Immersion Method® has won 25 awards and is the only method designed for the youngest learners, ages 0-6.
· The company has sold over two million products via Direct to Consumer, Retail and Licensing in 22 countries. Partners include Hulu Kids, iTunes, PBS Kidsplay, LeapFrog, VTech, Toys R Us, Roku and Mango Languages.
· Little Pim is available in 12 languages, is platform agnostic and can be viewed on screens of any size in any country.
Snow Day Family Fun
Brrrr!
If you’re stuck inside this winter, you might need some extra tricks up your sleeve to keep little ones occupied. We’ve got you covered with some great ideas for the perfect snow day.
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Warm up your home by cranking up the oven! Spending some family time in the kitchen is easy with these tips for cooking with kids. If you’re looking for a fun, delicious, and seasonal recipe, try out these adorable melted snowman cookies.
Photo credit: Tim Pierce / Foter.com / CC BY
The birds get hungry too! Little hands can help you make some cute birdseed ornaments to hang outside. Use different cookie cutters and look out the window to see who’s nibbling your delicious creations.
Photo credit: emmacraig1 / Foter.com / CC BY
Don’t have any birdseed around the house? Extra buttons make great crafting materials! Check out this idea for a button tree your kids can make on paper.
Photo credit: Pano e Papel / Foter.com / CC BY
If you just want to relax all day, curl up with some hot cocoa and turn on one of these family-friendly winter movies.
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What do you like to do with your family on snow days? Let us know!
5 Healthy Foods from Around the World
November is Good Nutrition Month!
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It’s important to eat right, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy your favorite foods or try new ones. We’ve made a list of delicious foods from all around the world that just so happen to be good for you.
Mexico:
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Tacos are one of the most popular Mexican dishes, and they offer a great deal of variety. Mix it up this Taco Tuesday with a 200-calorie recipe that suggests yummy fillings like steak, beans, and even mango!
France:
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French cuisine is delicious and rich, but don’t let that fool you; it can still be good for you! Fill these whole wheat crepes with fresh fruit to make a sweet breakfast (or dessert) that’s magnifique!
China:
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With small portions and lots of veggies, Chinese food can be a guilt-free dining option. A hearty stir-fry filled with chicken and vegetables is a great way to pack protein into your meal. Try it over brown rice for even more healthy goodness.
Italy:
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When you think of Italian food, the first things that come to mind are probably pizza and pasta (not necessarily the healthiest options). But this refreshing mango-passion fruit gelato is a great alternative to carb-heavy Italian cuisine. Delizioso!
Morocco:
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Moroccan food is often cooked with delicious, good-for-you spices like cumin, ginger, and turmeric. Chick peas, another Moroccan staple, are a great source of protein that can be added to any meal. Spice up your recipe book with this pumpkin, cranberry, and red onion tagine.
Click here for even more ways to eat healthy while exploring international cuisine. Let us know what new, healthy foods you’re planning to try this month!
This Month, Celebrate the Bilingual Child!
October is "Celebrate the Bilingual Child" Month! At Little Pim we love to celebrate bilingualism, so we're teaching you how to say "child" in 20 different languages:
Arabic: طِــفــل (Tifl)
Chinese (Mandarin): 孩子 (Háizi)
Croatian: Dijete
Danish: barn
Dutch: kind
French: enfant
German: Kind
Greek: παιδί (Paidí)
Hebrew: ילד (yeled)
Hindi: बच्चे (Baccē)
Hungarian: gyermek
Italian: bambino
Japanese: 子供 (Kodomo)
Korean: 아이 (ai)
Polish: dziecko
Portuguese: criança
Russian: ребенок (rebenok)
Spanish: niño
Swahili: mtoto
Vietnamese: con
All translations from inDifferent Languages.
Family Fun for Oktoberfest
This year marks the 205th anniversary of Oktoberfest, a German festival that began in Munich in 1810. Each year, millions of people gather in Germany and all over the world to participate in the festivities, which include concerts, costumes, rides, food, and drink. There is something for everyone at Oktoberfest, and the holiday creates a great opportunity to introduce kids (and adults) to German culture.
A great way to get kids involved in the Oktoberfest fun is through crafts like this Edelweiss hat, often worn by men and boys in Bavaria during the festival. You can also print out these coloring pages to help kids learn about the German map, flag, and other national symbols. And check out “Backe, backe Kuchen,” a simple German song kids can sing to practice the language.
You can sample some of the delicious cuisine of Germany in your own home with these recipes for German potato salad and sausage and sauerkraut fritters. You should also break out the pretzels, a favorite during Oktoberfest. For dessert, you and your kids will love this rich German chocolate cake. Before you eat, don’t forget to say “prost” which means “cheers” in German!
Oktoberfest is a great holiday for the whole family, no matter where you celebrate it! Get creative, eat, learn, and have fun!
Thanks to Kelli Miller at 3 Boys and a Dog for the "Oktoberfest Activities for Kids."
Halloween Around the World
Halloween is just around the corner! If you live in the United States, that probably means costumes, candy, and possibly some pranks. But what is Halloween like in other parts of the world?
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Ireland
The holiday most likely has its origins in Ireland’s ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people wore costumes and lit bonfires to frighten away the spirits. In Ireland today, many people celebrate Halloween by dressing up and lighting bonfires like the ancient Celts did. Much like kids in the United States, Irish children go trick-or-treating and attend Halloween parties with family and friends. They play games like “bobbing for apples” and “snap-apple,” where you hang an apple on a string and jump up to see if you can bite it. And of course, some Irish children play tricks on their neighbors. You can make barnbrack, a popular Halloween confection in Ireland, using this recipe.
Photo credit: LlGC ~ NLW / Foter / No known copyright restrictions
Mexico
In Spanish-speaking countries like Mexico, the celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) begins on the evening of October 31st. Many families make altars honoring their loved ones who have passed, which can include photographs, candles, and even the deceased’s favorite foods and drinks. On November 2nd, the whole family has a picnic to celebrate and reminisce about the lives of their loved ones. They eat treats such as breads and sweets shaped like skulls and skeletons. You can make your own delicious sugar skulls by following this recipe!
Helping Your Kids Transition from Summer to School
Summer flew by faster than most of us expected and getting back to our school day routines can actually be exciting for parents. In order to make a smooth transition from vacation mode to strict schedules, we've put together a list of tips to make this as easy as possible. Good luck and happy parenting!
1. Sleep Schedules
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You may not hear it often but it's time to get back to your old habits! It is important to start getting the kids to bed at a reasonable hour at least two weeks before school begins. This way they will be well adjusted and rested when the first day of school rolls around. Setting morning alarms can also be helpful for those of us that like to sleep in.
2. Adjust Your Eating Habits
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Time to get healthy again! We all know that summertime causes our shelves and refrigerators to become full of unhealthy snacks like ice cream and chips. It's time to get your kids back on track. Plan quick and healthy meals that meet their school lunch schedule.
3. Establish a Learning Environment
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In case you got carried away like the rest of us, now is your chance to get crafty with your kids at home! Set up a well-lit, quiet study area and make sure your kids become comfortable with the space. Whether it's by using your Little Pim flashcards or simply drawing with a pen and paper, make sure you set aside some time for your children to adapt to a learning environment.
4. Rekindle Friendships
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Children can sometimes be worried about finding friends at school. Schedule play dates with parents and friends that you may have lost touch with over the summer. This way your kids can feel more confident and comfortable in the classroom.
5. Motivate your kids
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School is fun and it's important that your kids know! Talking about school will make your kids more confident and encouraged to do their best. Ask questions like: "What are your favorite subjects at school?" "What are your goals this year?" Setting goals is the first step to reaching them.
7 Hottest French-Speaking Celebrities
In honor of Bastille Day, we've rounded up the seven hottest Francophone men. Enjoy listening to the music for your ears while watching candy for your eyes.1. Johnny Depp
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Low-tech and high-tech toys at Toy Fair 2015
Toy Fair 2015 in New York showed off new toys of all kinds, from the simple and familiar to the edgy and technological. There were toys for kids of all ages and for kids at heart. Toy Fair brings out the best in toys, from books to dolls to learning tools to plush toys. Check out the highlights of this year's convention.
There were new twists on familiar toys like basic blocks and stacking toys. Toymakers added new functions to products like rattles and crib toys but kept them simple enough for the youngest customers to enjoy.
Some toys bridged the gap between technology and old school fun, like Toymail, a cute physical mailbox that lets family members leave kids WiFi voice messages through free phone apps. For parents who travel, children can hear friendly voices and encouraging messages - without having to stay in front of a laptop. They can play and respond to the messages when and where they want.
Take a hint from Little Pim the Panda and leave your kids a voicemail message using the words they’re learning in a new language. Hearing your voice saying some of their new vocabulary is a great way to send a caring greeting and help them learn new words in Spanish, Chinese, or French!
Augmented reality made books and other toys come alive through interactive, easy-to-use apps. When you point your phone at the right spots in a book, for example, your phone shows hidden features and games to play.
A redesigned View-Master and a talking, “smart” Barbie that connects to the cloud were also attention-grabbers.
The Little Pim booth welcomed everyone interested in children’s language learning.
The Healthiest & Unhealthiest Christmas Dishes In The World
The holidays are a season of indulgence for most people around the world, when people come together to celebrate with loved ones over special dishes. We've been known to overdo it on the Christmas cookies, but there's more to holiday food than sweets. From France to Brazil to South Africa, every country has their own special healthy--and not-so-healthy-- traditional foods they enjoy around the holidays.
But some countries are definitely more indulgent than others, according to Yahoo. The website ranked countries by how healthy their traditional Christmas meals are.
Spain came out as the unhealthiest, with an average of over 70 grams of fat in their traditional meal, which often features roast lamb for dinner and nougat for dessert. The United States was right behind, thanks to Americans' love for fatty eggnog.
To contrast, Kenya's traditional Christmas meal of lean roasted goat and chapatti (unleavened bread) contains just 10 grams of fat, the lowest of any country in the list.
It's fine to enjoy the less healthy items on a special occasion--just make sure to get those veggies in too, like the Spaniards do with white asparagus. Or make like the Swedes do and serve herring as an appetizer instead of fatty dips.
As long as you don't overdo it at dinner, there's no reason to skip dessert. Add an international twist to your dessert tray with a French Yule Log Cake (Buche de Noel) or a delicious German Stollen, a fruit cake with dried fruit and marzipan.
Check out the infographic below to see how the meals ranked and find out the healthiest and unhealthiest Christmas dishes of each country.
