Teaching English to kids doesn’t need to be all about textbooks and worksheets. Imagine helping them pick up new words and phrases while you’re cooking dinner, playing games, or even singing silly songs together! With a few creative tricks up your sleeve, learning English can happen naturally as part of your daily routine. Here are six fun, easy ways to make language learning a part of your everyday life, no classroom required!
1. Storytelling: Let Their Imagination Soar!
Kids love a good story, and what better way to teach English than by whisking them away on adventures through books? Reading aloud lets kids hear how words sound and flow together, while fun illustrations keep them hooked. Turn reading time into an interactive experience by asking them to guess what happens next or act out parts of the story. Before you know it, they’ll be retelling stories in English themselves!
2. Interactive Games: Learning Through Play
Games are a fantastic way to sneak in English practice without it feeling like ‘learning.’ Try classics like ‘I Spy’ with colours, shapes, or objects around the house, or play charades using animals, actions, or emotions. Even simple games like Simon Says get them thinking in English. These games make vocabulary and phrases stick while keeping things light-hearted and playful.
3. Arts and Crafts: Create and Communicate
Nothing sparks creativity like arts and crafts! Set up a craft station and introduce new words as they go like colours, shapes, and materials. Give simple instructions in English and encourage them to talk about what they’re making. Whether it’s paper animals or colourful collages, they’ll learn without even noticing, and you’ll both have masterpieces to show for it!
4. Music and Movement: Sing, Dance, and Learn
Songs are a brilliant way for kids to pick up words and phrases. Put on their favourite English nursery rhymes or sing-along songs with easy lyrics and dance moves. Songs like “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” or “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” are perfect for learning simple vocabulary and pronunciation. The best part? They’re having so much fun, they’ll hardly realize they’re learning!
5. Role-Playing: Let Their Inner Actor Shine
Kids are natural actors—so why not use that to practice English? Set up scenarios where they can play roles like a chef, doctor, or customer, and let them act it out in English. If you’re ‘at a restaurant,’ they can try ordering their favourite foods, or if you’re ‘at a store,’ they can practice asking questions. This lets them use English in a fun, hands-on way that builds confidence in real-life conversations.
6. Technology Integration: Learning with a Tap and a Swipe
A little tech time can go a long way when it comes to language learning. Try apps or kid-friendly videos that introduce English through animated stories, songs, or interactive games. Look for content with simple instructions and plenty of visuals. Many apps even have voice-based activities so they can listen and repeat new words, improving their pronunciation in a fun, relaxed way.
Bringing English into your daily life doesn’t have to be complicated! From stories and songs to crafts and games, you’re creating a playful environment where kids can explore English naturally. With these activities, learning becomes an adventure that they’ll look forward to every day. So go ahead, dive in, and watch as they pick up new words, build confidence, and discover just how much fun learning a language can be!
Penned by : Rtr. Senaya Mahaliyana
Rotaract Club of Faculty of Law University of Colombo 