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Benefits of Learning a New Language as a Family: Fun Activities & Tips for Success with Digital Dutch Lessons for Kids

 Benefits of Learning a New Language as a Family: Fun  Activities & Tips for Success with Digital Dutch Lessons for Kids



As a South African expat family, learning Dutch can feel challenging. But what if learning Dutch could be a fun, family affair? With engaging digital resources from TernTales and a dash of creativity, you can transform language learning into a bonding experience filled with growth, connection, and plenty of laughter along the way. Here are some ideas for fun family activities:

Dutch Dinner Nights
Cooking together provides a perfect setting to introduce Dutch vocabulary in a practical and engaging way. As you prepare a delicious Dutch recipe, encourage your children to name ingredients and actions in Dutch. For example, ask your child to pass you the "mes" (knife) while you're "snijden" (cutting) vegetables. According to Barnes et al. (2007), this hands-on approach helps children connect sound and meaning, moving them toward true understanding. The combination of visual aids and real-world actions will help solidify those Dutch words in their minds. TernTales digital lessons can provide a great starting point to learn these kitchen-related words and phrases.

Family Game Night
Turn family game night into a Dutch language adventure! Play simple games like "Ik zie, ik zie, wat jij niet ziet" (I spy), which is a fantastic way to practice new vocabulary. Barnes et al. (2007) suggests that simple games like this encourage active listening in a non-threatening way. You can also introduce board games with Dutch instructions, giving your family an opportunity to practice their reading comprehension skills. Even classic games like charades or Pictionary can be adapted by incorporating Dutch words. The laughter and friendly competition will make learning feel effortless.

Storytelling Time
Gather your family for a cozy Dutch bedtime story. Choose a short story or a simple children's book suggested by TernTales. Each family member can take turns reading a line or a page, practicing pronunciation and learning new vocabulary together. Woolfolk et al. (2013) mentions that frequent reading to and with children, exposure to printed materials, and engaging in literacy-related play all contribute to language acquisition. Hearing native sounds, especially for younger children, is essential for language development and fostering a love for the language (Woolfolk et al., 2013). 

Daily Phrases Challenge
Make Dutch a part of your daily routine with a fun challenge. Set a family goal of learning and using one new Dutch phrase each day. According to Woolfolk et al. (2013), each time a language learner encounters a new phrase in a different context, they create additional associations and retrieval cues that make it easier to recall the phrase later. It could be as simple as "goedemorgen" (good morning) or "lekker gegeten" (had a nice meal). Furthermore, Ur (2012) suggests that rehearsing these phrases multiple times aids in memorisation and using them in daily routines provides context and relevance. TernTales digital Dutch lessons offer a wide array of new vocabulary to work into your weekly routine.

Celebrate Every Win
Every new word or phrase learned is a victory! Celebrate small milestones as a family, acknowledging each other's efforts and progress. Celebrating small wins as a family can increase motivation and build confidence for future learning (Woolfolk et al., 2013). Remember: learning a language is a journey, not a race. By embracing the process together, you are creating wonderful shared memories and strengthening family bonds while building valuable language skills.

Let TernTales be your guide as you embark on this exciting journey of learning Dutch as a family. Turn everyday moments into opportunities for growth and connection.

Sources:

Barnes, A., Heilbronn, R., Field, S., Mutton, T., Chambers, G., Graham, S., Brandford, V., Meiring, L., Norman, N., Lawes, S., Hunt, M., & Calvert, M. (2007b). A Practical Guide to Teaching Modern Foreign Languages in the Secondary School (N. Pachler & A. Redondo, Reds.). Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/education

Ur, P. (2012). A course in English language teaching. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009024518

Woolfolk, A., Hughes, M., & Walkup, V. (2013a). Psychology in education. Pearson Education Limited. https://www.pearsoned.co.uk/woolfolkeuro
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