Helping your child learn English can be enjoyable for both parents and kids. At Borders Academy, we believe that learning should be fun and engaging. In this blog post, we'll share some simple and exciting English activities that you and your child can do together. These activities will not only strengthen language skills but also create wonderful family moments.
1. Storytelling Time
Reading and creating stories together is a wonderful way to bond with your child while enhancing their language skills. Start by picking a short story or a colorful picture book. Reading aloud to your child will introduce them to new words and sentence structures. Afterward, encourage your child to create their own stories. This allows them to use their imagination and practice expressing themselves in English.
Example: Parent says, "Once upon a time, there was a happy bear in the forest who loved to play with his friends." Child continues, "One day, the bear and his friends decided to go on a grand adventure to find a hidden treasure deep in the woods."
2. Find and Name
Make learning English an exciting outdoor activity by going on a "Find and Name" adventure. Take a walk in the park or around the neighborhood, and while you're out, point to different objects like trees, birds, flowers, and benches. Ask your child to name them in English. This not only improves their vocabulary but also sharpens their observation skills.
Example: Parent points at a bird on a branch, "Look, what's that?" Child answers, "It's a bird!" Parent continues, "That's right! And what color is the bird?" Child replies, "It's blue!"
3. Movie Time
Movie nights can be a special time for family bonding and language learning. Choose English cartoons or movies appropriate for your child's age. As you watch together, pause the movie occasionally to discuss the characters and the storyline. Encourage your child to share their thoughts and feelings about what they are watching.
Example: Parent asks, "Who is the main character in the movie?" Child responds, "The main character is a brave princess." Parent continues, "That's right! What do you think the princess will do next in the story?"
4. Word Games
Word games are a playful way to reinforce vocabulary and language skills. "I Spy" is a classic game that can be played anywhere. Alternatively, you can play "Guess the Word," where one person gives clues about a word, and the other person has to guess it.
Example: Parent says, "I spy with my little eye something red." Child guesses, "Is it the flower?" Parent replies, "Yes, well done!"
5. Cooking Fun
Cooking together is not only a tasty activity but also a chance to learn English in a practical context. When preparing a dish, read the recipe together, and talk about the ingredients and cooking steps. This helps your child understand the importance of following instructions while improving their reading and language skills.
Example: Parent reads, "First, we need to mix the flour and sugar together." Child says, "Okay, I'm mixing them now. It smells yummy!"
6. My Journal
Encourage your child to keep a language journal where they can write about their day, draw pictures, or express their thoughts and feelings. You can also participate by writing back, which will make them happy and motivated to continue writing.
Example: Child writes, "Today I played at the park with my friends. We had so much fun!" Parent responds, "It sounds like you had a wonderful time at the park. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself!"
7. Friends from Around the World
The internet provides a great opportunity to connect with families from different countries. Help your child meet other kids who speak English through online language exchange platforms or video calls. This interaction allows them to practice their English in a natural and authentic setting while making new friends from diverse backgrounds.
Example: Child says, "Hi, I'm from America. What's your name?" New friend replies, "Hello, I'm from England. Nice to meet you! What do you like to do for fun?"
Conclusion
Engaging in these expanded English language learning activities with your child at Borders Academy will not only strengthen their language skills but also create joyful family moments. Through storytelling, finding and naming objects, watching movies, playing word games, cooking together, keeping a journal, and meeting new friends online, your child will develop confidence and proficiency in English while having fun with you along the way. Happy learning and bonding!
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