Compare at least one content sample in each language you want to support, then check reading level, audio, caregiver guidance and whether the resource is meant for home or classroom use. Head Start standards recognize bilingualism and biliteracy as strengths and describe specific language supports for its programs; they do not prescribe one product for every family.
Choose bilingual resources around the languages the child is learning and the people who will use them. A book, audio story, app or classroom tool should support the intended language practice, not just display a translated menu.
Compare what the resource actually teaches
| Resource | Check before choosing | Useful question |
|---|---|---|
| Bilingual or parallel-text books | Which language appears on each page, the reading level and audio options | Can the child follow the story in each language they are learning? |
| Language apps | Whether lessons, speech and caregiver instructions are available in the intended languages | Is each language taught or practiced, or is only the interface translated? |
| Audio and video | Speaker clarity, transcript availability and the language of each activity | Can the child listen again and connect words to the story or activity? |
| Family or classroom tools | Who the resource is designed for and how adults use it | Does it fit home routines, a school program or both? |
Review a sample in each language before paying for a full course or subscription. Check the resource’s age guidance, the skills it addresses and whether an adult is expected to read, listen or practice alongside the child.
Use school and family guidance as context
Head Start’s performance standards say programs must recognize bilingualism and biliteracy as strengths and use research-based practices for dual language learners. They describe support for both English and the home language in preschool settings, and appropriate materials when staff do not speak every home language. Those requirements apply to Head Start programs; families can ask a teacher which local resources align with a child’s classroom.
Head Start’s Ready DLL app is a resource for teachers and caregivers who support dual language learners. It is one example of a staff and caregiver tool, not a rating of children’s language-learning apps.
For a broader comparison of language-learning formats, see language apps vs tutors. If you are choosing digital resources for a young child, also see screen time and learning apps by age. Browse language learning guides.
Sources
Common questions
What is a dual language learner?
Head Start uses the term for a child learning in two languages, including children learning English while continuing to develop a home language.
How do I choose bilingual books for a child?
Read or listen to a sample in each language, check the vocabulary and reading level, and see whether the format supports the way your family shares stories.
Should a bilingual learning app include both languages?
Check which parts are actually in each language, including lessons, audio and family instructions. A translated menu alone does not show what language practice the child receives.
Can an app be the only bilingual resource a child needs?
Choose resources that fit your routine, and include conversation, books or classroom materials when those are part of the child's learning. See the guide to [screen time and learning apps by age](/guides/screen-time-and-learning-apps-by-age) for device-use guidance.