Un baile con tu bebe: Una guia para el cuidado y desarollo del infante - es tambien un libro de recuerdos! [Spanish] [A Dance with Your Baby: A Guide to Infant Caring and Development, A Memory Book Too!]
Linda K. Elliot, Gail Breakey, Linda Fox
This booklet for Spanish-speaking parents of newborns provides parenting strategies for the following: (a) trust building, (b) feeding infants,(c) infant sleeping, (d) holding and touching babies, (e) visual stimulation of babies, (f) talking to babies, (g) crying and consoling; (h) playing with baby, (i) providing basic care, (j) emotional responses, and (k) supporting a baby's development. Information is provided on the development of baby hand skills, and safety tips for newborns. The booklet closes with blank forms for parents to record the progress of their babies. Material is presented in Spanish.
Linda K. Elliot, Gail Breakey, Linda Fox. Un baile con tu bebe: Una guia para el cuidado y desarollo del infante - es tambien un libro de recuerdos! [Spanish] [A Dance with Your Baby: A Guide to Infant Caring and Development, A Memory Book Too!] (1996). Great Kids, Inc.: San Angelo, TX.
(40 pages).
Language: Spanish
Reading Level: Easy
Formats Available: Printed Material
Great Kids, Inc.
3222 Shadyhill Drive
San Angelo, TX
76904
Phone: (800) 906-5581
Fax: (915) 224-4417
Email: info@greatkidsinc.org
URL: http://www.greatkidsinc.org
Languages Available: English, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese
Intended User Audience:
This original version of this booklet was written primarily for families of infants who were at risk for poor outcomes.
The English version was written for a multiethnic and multilingual population residing in Honolulu, Hawaii who is proficient in English (Approximately 3% Native Hawaiian, 20% Japanese, 20% Caucasian, 40% Local Mixed, 17% other).
It has been extensively used by early intervention personnel as part of a Home Visitation program . It has also been used abroad for faculty trainings and in University settings for instructional purposes.
Product Development:
Information provided in this booklet is based on the needs of families served through the early intervention home visitation program of the Hawaii Family Support Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Family members, early intervention service delivery personnel, and administrators participated in the development of this material. In general, family participants and personnel working with the families were representative of the ethnic and linguistic diversty in the community served. The paraprofessionals who visited the homes with the developers provided invaluable insight into the needs of the families and their beliefs about child care and development. The ethnicities of the paraprofessionlas were the following: 1- Micronesian, 1-Latino, 1-Half Chinese and Caucasian, 1- Caucasian, 1- Japanese American, 1-Local Mixed. The developers are currently in the process of revising both the English and Spanish editions.
Product Evaluation:
The English version was evaluated by the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse based in Chicago, IL and used as part of its Healthy Families, Healthy Start America Program. It has been field tested with the families served through the early intervention home visitation program of the Hawaii Family Support Center. It is not known specifically how the Spanish edition is being used and if it has been evaluated.
Product Dissemination:
The Spanish edition was originally translated in Alexandria, Virginia due to the need in the community. No information on other Latino communities or states in the U.S. using the Spanish edition was available.
As of 1998, approximately 300,000 copies in both Spanish and English had been distributed and sold between Canada, the Philipines, and the U.S.
Review #1
About the reviewer:
The reviewer is a bilingual speech and language pathologist and has
been working with the Latino community for approximately ten years in
urban and rural settings. Her work in the last five years has involved
research in sociolinguistics, second language acquisition, effective
classroom interventions with bilingual children, and cultural views
of disability. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from
the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, a New York State License
in speech and language pathology, and is a Certified Trainer of Personnel
in bilingual special education. Presently, she is a candidate for
the doctoral degree in bilingual education from the University of
Illinois.
Audience:
Un Baile Con Tu Bebe was originally written in English to be used with the multiethnic populations of Hawaii. It was then translated into Spanish and used by the Latino community in Alexandria, VA. It is intended for use primarily by parents of young children. Personnel of early intervention programs have made this booklet available to parents on home visits as part of early intervention programs. Universities have also used this material for instructional purposes.
Strengths of the Material:
Un Baile Con Tu Bebe highlights issues regarding the basic physical care of a new baby, as well as highlighting issues surrounding the healthy emotional and social development of the baby. This is combined with making it a book of memories too, where parents can record baby's "firsts" and include special photographs. The developers' main focus was to assist parents/caretakers in developing a positive relationship with their child. Six out of ten chapters focus on relationship-building between parents and child (Trust Building, Holding and Touching Baby, Looking, etc.).
The material is reflective of recommended practice in the early care of a child, as well as effective parent-child interactions. In addition, it acknowledges as well as directly challenges some beliefs that members of certain cultural groups may have about the care and interaction with a young child. It specifically states that talking to your baby may not be something a parent feels comfortable doing, but urges the parent to "have fun" and to try it. At first they may feel "ridiculous," but suggestions are given as to what can be topics of conversation with their baby. It also tells parents that they can "talk" to their baby without using words as well (hugging, kissing, tickling, etc). At other times, the material directly challenges some beliefs which members of diverse cultural groups may hold. For example: "Contrary to popular belief, infants cannot be spoiled." "Holding baby will not spoil him. It will make him feel secure and that he can trust you and that the world is not such a harsh place after all!" "Rest assured that handling a boy baby gently and with love will not produce a wimp!" "Baby does not need to wear little mittens to prevent him from scratching himself." "Many parents mistakenly believe that every time a baby cries, he wants to eat. This is not true." Some of these beliefs, if challenged this directly in the text, may turn some parents away.
The material is responsive to diversity in being mindful to introduce options on where baby can sleep (i.e. crib, clean box, basket, or drawer lined with a sheet) and use of manufactured or homemade mobiles (colorful cereal boxes, pictures from magazines, mobiles made of plastic plates, etc.).
Most of the graphics represent contemporary individuals in contemporary dress and of different body types and ethnicity. Although some of the Spanish text may be difficult to get through, the pencil sketches entice the reader to read and use the book.
A table of contents provided in the Spanish version, which is not included in the English version, helps to guide the parent through the book.
The translation varies from complex to pretty easy to get through. In trying to stay true to words used in the English version, the more complex words in Spanish are sometimes used. The authors were very careful not to use technical terms or jargon specific to child development in this material. Difficulties were noted in selection of terms for non-technical language though.
Some changes or adaptations to the Spanish translation of Un Baile Con Tu Bebe are not necessarily to be more culturally sensitive, but to correct erroneous information from the original version. For example, the English version informs parents that it is best to lay the baby on his side or back on a firm surface to sleep. The translators for the Spanish version wrote that a child should lie on his or her side. The Spanish text states that laying babies in this position will prevent them from choking or aspirating on their vomit. It doesn't specifically say that laying the baby on his back may cause this to happen. Some attention needs to be given to this section, as well as to the recommendation on sleeping positions for baby.
A new section in the Spanish version was added. There is space in the book for adults to record what symptoms of illness were being experienced by the child and with what frequency (i.e. cough, temperature). In addition, there is room for parents to record emergency numbers, pediatrician's name, etc.) and put in lots of pictures.
Limitations of the Material:
The language and graphics used in the material suggest that the mother is the primary caretaker, although pictures of males interacting with the baby are present (five). Photos of children with disabilities are not used or of multigenerational caretakers.
As mentioned earlier, although there are no serious translation errors that interfere with the comprehension of this material, the translation is so literal at times that the selection of words for the translated version of Un Baile Con Tu Bebe contribute to the complexity of the text. The following are two examples; "He will experience comfort… "/ "Experimentara bienestar…"; "…upward motion…" / "…con sentido ascendente…". However, there are major portions of the text that are fairly simple to read and comprehend.
Errors in omission of some information in the Spanish edition were noted. Examples noted below:
Omission in the translated version:
Pg. 16 Left out information on concerns bottle-feeding and breast-feeding mothers may have about
child getting enough milk. Omitted recommendation to call pediatrician with concerns (p. 6, 1st
paragraph). "If you are bottle feeding, and you have questions about how many ounces your
baby should be taking, call your pediatrician. Breast feeding mothers can be assured their babies are getting enough milk if they are changing wet diapers often." This is very important
information to include in the Spanish version.
pg. 19: Translation is incorrect. English version reads, "Don't be afraid to ask any question." The
Spanish version translates this into, "No temas hacer preguntas tontas…"/ "Don't be afraid to
ask dumb questions."
Adaptations:
In order for this material to be more culturally and linguistically responsive it would need to explain to parents that the practices recommended in this book will work best if certain beliefs about the role and abilities of a very young child are in place. The caretaker needs to believe that the child is capable of responding and interacting in certain ways with other persons. For example, the text recommends that the caretaker "face your baby as you feed, bathe, or pick her up." Some individuals may not believe a child as young as one month of age is ready for such interaction with an adult, even if it is a parent. The text encourages parents to have this mindset by stating that the baby would really enjoy this interaction ("Be expressive. Babies like that! He'll love it!" etc.). New patterns of parent-child interaction may be best received if some time is spent on preparing parents to this new orientation.
Generalizability:
This material provides information which parents from multiple ethnic and linguistic orientations may find helpful. It can be used in group settings for future parent training workshops or for early intervention programs for individual families.
Recommendations:
Recommended. Un Baile Con Tu Bebe is inviting in its title, graphics, and practical use. It not only provides parents with information on the most important aspects of a baby's emotional and physical development, but also provides a place for parents to record and save special photos or mementos of this special time with their baby.
It is recommended that the pediatrician or nurse urge parents to contact them with any concerns about the baby. In addition, information on recommended sleeping positions for infants should be noted and clarified by the early interventionist.
Producer's Response:
Not available at this time
Review #2
About the reviewer:
The reviewer who has lived in the U.S. for 10 years is an attorney
licensed in Mexico. He assists Hispanic families in obtaining
information and services from educational, medical, social, and
recreational programs for their children with disabilities. He is an
advocate for parents of children receiving special education in
schools. For families of children with disabilities, he conducts
workshops on educational rights, on parent advocacy, and on school
involvement. He translates materials and gives presentations to
teachers and other professionals on the specific needs of Hispanic
children with disabilities.
Audience:
The material was written originally in English for residents of Hawaii. Early intervention personnel as part of a Home Visitation program have used it. The intended audience is families of infants who are at risk for developmental delays.
After reviewing the material, I believe that it can be used with a wider audience from a variety of geographic regions. It ought not to be restricted to a specific cultural or linguistic group. It is especially useful for "new parents," social workers, medical staff, and others working closely with families.
From my experience, I sense that Un Baile Con Tu Bebe can be used most effectively on home visits in the Hispanic community.
Strengths of the Material:
While the material doesn't relate specifically to the Hispanic culture (except for the language of the translation), it in no way is offensive or inappropriate for use in the Hispanic community. It is written in respectful language. It covers both the relationship between parent and infant as well as the basic care and physical development of the young child.
The booklet can also be used as a picture album, as well as a personal book of memories for parents to record important information. The format is effective with bullets for highlighting important tips and short paragraphs with manageable text. The amount of information is just right without being overwhelming or boring.
The illustrations were culturally sensitive and balanced well within the booklet. The Spanish translation is accurate, except for some missing accent marks and a mistake on page 18 (top bullet): "bacinica" as written in the Spanish version means "chamberpot" in México and other countries. It does not mean "bassinet" as the English version reads.
Overall, the Spanish translation was accurate and generally accessible to the reader.
Limitations of the Material:
No significant limitations were found in this material. Although the translation is of good quality, simpler text would increase its effectiveness.
Adaptations:
Due to the complexity of the text at times, it would be helpful to present the information to families in sections. Caseworkers can be available to answer any questions the families may have or maybe even read some of the text along with the families and discuss it.
Generalizability:
This material could be utilized in urban and rural Spanish-speaking communities. Parents of infants at risk for developmental delays can use it. A more general audience can also use it.
Recommendations:
I very much recommend this material.
Producer's Response:
Not available at this time
If you have used this item and would like to comment on it, please send a message With your comments to the
CLAS Webmaster. In your message, please indicate the title,
author, and CLAS Accession Number (see Bibliographic Information above) for the document.