Fun Activities for Helping Children Learn English
By Meaghan Flokstra
Published on: October 11th, 2024
Language connects people. In Canada, English is the most widely spoken language. For newcomer children, speaking and understanding English can help them build friendships and thrive at school in Canada. However, many parents who want to help their child learn English find it hard to know where and how to begin. Luckily, there are lots of fun ways to get kids excited about learning a new language.
If your child is just starting to learn English, some good words to teach first include numbers, colours, parts of the body, and basic objects in the room. To help them express themselves, you can also introduce simple verbs like eat and want, as well as adjectives like hungry or sleepy. You can also pay attention to your child’s interests and try introducing words related to those interests.
If you’re still in the process of learning English yourself, that is okay. Focus on being enthusiastic and supportive to help your child feel encouraged and excited to learn. When learning feels fun, children naturally want to learn more.
Games
Games are fun for all ages, but children especially adore them. Learning through games keeps children excited and engaged.
There are plenty of games that your child can play for free and without any physical materials. For example, Simon Says is a popular game for children. It involves giving simple instructions such as “touch your nose,” and it can help teach vocabulary related to action words and parts of the body. I Spy is another great option that encourages children to observe the world around them and learn to name the things they see.
Stories
Reading books with your children can improve their English skills and help them learn to read on their own. Picture books are a great option since they hold children’s attention with their colourful designs. While you read, you can point to different things in the pictures to help them understand what certain words mean.
If your child is ready to start reading independently and you’re unsure if the books you’ve picked are too easy or too hard, try using the Five Finger Rule. With this rule, your child holds up a finger for each word in the book that they don’t already know. If they only hold up one finger or no fingers, the book might be too easy for them. If they’re holding up five or more fingers, the book is probably too difficult at that moment. Aim for two to four fingers to challenge your child while ensuring the book fits their reading level.
Songs
Songs can also be highly effective at teaching children new words and how to pronounce them. In particular, the melody, rhythm, and repetition of songs can lead to long-term memorization. Kids can sing along with the lyrics or listen to them being played in the background while they do other activities. If your child is not ready to sing the words, they can still participate by dancing or following along with actions.
Nowadays, lots of recordings of songs for kids can be found online. YouTube Kids is a great place to find animated versions of simple songs that assist in learning English. Options that have subtitles will help children follow along.