Everyday life

Everyday life

What everyday activities help your child learn your language?

Sitting your child down for a lesson or playing language games are not the only ways to learn. Children learn a language best by using it, that is, by doing things in that language. Here are everyday activities that are great for developing the four basic language skills: understanding, speaking, reading and writing.

Understanding

  • requests, commands, instructions - any time you need to tell your child something, do it in your language
  • conversations (even if answering in English)
  • listening to stories, tales, books (when an adult reads);
  • listening to poems and songs
  • movies, cartoons, shows
  • videos on the topics of interests for the child

Speaking

Pronunciation

  • tongue twisters
  • reciting poems
  • drama, reciting lines for a play
  • singing songs

The full process of speaking, from thoughts to sounds

  • conversations (if the child actually speaks in the language)
  • telling how their day was, what happened, etc.
  • retelling a book, movie, cartoon
  • describing a person, animal, toy, object
  • explaining and giving instructions (how something works, how to make something, etc.)
  • telling stories (from real life or made-up)

Reading

  • signs
  • place names on maps
  • notes, letters, SMS, email, chat
  • comics, graphic novels
  • literature (starting with short stories)
  • non-fiction (on topics that are interesting for the child)
  • internet (for older kids and teens)
  • step-by-step instructions, recipes

Writing

  • notes, letters, SMS, email, chat
  • lists (to-do lists, shopping lists, packing lists, wish lists, etc.)
  • schedules
  • diary, travel notes
  • writing down stories, jokes, making comics