Skip to main content

5 Essential Tips for Expat Parents: Helping Your Child Learn Dutch

 5 Essential Tips for Expat Parents: Helping Your Child Learn Dutch


As South African expat parents in the Netherlands, you play a crucial role in supporting your child's Dutch language acquisition. The journey of learning a new language can be challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding. By using these five essential tips, inspired by research on language learning and used as some of the foundational design elements in our TernTales digital Dutch lessons for kids, you can help your child embrace Dutch and transition confidently into their new environment:

1.
Immerse Your Child in Dutch at Home: Transform your home into a Dutch language hub! Brandl (2021) suggests that Maximising their exposure to the language by incorporating it into daily routines and activities is an essential element in language acquisition. The more your children hear and see Dutch, the more natural it will become. Encourage them to watch Dutch TV shows, listen to Dutch music, and read age-appropriate Dutch books. TernTales can provide a great foundation for this immersion by introducing your child to Dutch songs, stories, and cultural elements in a fun and engaging way. 

2.
Start with Practical Vocabulary and Phrases: Don't overwhelm your child with complex grammar rules right away. Begin with everyday words and phrases that are relevant to their daily experiences (Woolfolk et al., 2013). For example, teach them essential greetings, how to ask for help, order food, and talk about their favorite things. Gradually build their vocabulary and introduce more complex language as they progress. TernTales lessons are designed to introduce vocabulary and phrases in a natural and playful manner, through activities, songs, and stories that are relevant to young learners. 

3.
Make Learning Dutch Fun and Engaging: The key to successful language learning is making it enjoyable! Turn learning into an adventure by incorporating games, songs, and playful activities. Visit Dutch museums, attend cultural events, and explore interactive language learning apps. When learning is fun, children are more likely to stay motivated and engaged. TernTales lessons are built around the principle of play-based learning, making the acquisition of Dutch fun and engaging for children of all ages.

4.
Connect with Native Dutch Speakers: Interaction is crucial for language development. Upon arrival in the Netherlands, encourage your child to interact with native Dutch speakers as much as possible. Facilitate playdates with Dutch-speaking children, enroll them in extracurricular activities, and create opportunities for them to engage in conversations with Dutch-speaking adults. Barnes et al. (2007) suggests that these real-life interactions will help them develop fluency and confidence. While TernTales cannot directly provide interaction with native speakers, our lessons can help your child build the foundational skills and confidence necessary to engage in such interactions. 

5.
Be Patient, Supportive, and Celebrate Progress: Learning a new language takes time and effort. Be patient and celebrate your child's milestones, no matter how small. Encourage them to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from their experiences. According to Woolfolk et al., (2013), a positive and supportive environment will boost their confidence and make the learning journey more enjoyable. Every child learns at their own pace. TernTales recognizes this and offers a flexible approach that can be adapted to individual needs and learning styles. 

Remember, each child learns at their own pace. Embrace the process and enjoy the journey of discovering a new language and culture together! Find out more about our self-paced, digital Dutch lessons for kids by going to terntales.nl

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

Brandl, K. (2021). Communicative Language Teaching in Action: Putting Principles to Work (SECOND EDITION).

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

Popular posts from this blog

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), t his hands-on approach helps children connect sound and meaning, moving them toward true unders...
Read more

3 Simple Tips to Integrating Dutch into your Toddler's Daily Routine

Integrating Dutch into your Toddler's Daily Routine Moving to a new country with a toddler can be a challenge. You're busy settling into a new home, navigating unfamiliarities, and dealing with all the logistics of expat life. But amidst all of this change, there's a fantastic opportunity to introduce your little one to the wonders of the Dutch language.  Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the task of language learning, consider turning everyday routines into fun and engaging Dutch lessons (Brandl, 2021). Toddlers are natural language sponges. They absorb information from their environment with incredible speed and ease, especially through repetition and play, which is what the TernTales digital Dutch lessons for kids can help you with. Here are some practical ways to make Dutch a natural part of your toddler's day: ● Wake up and Shine in Dutch: Start the day by greeting your toddler with a cheerful "Goedemorgen!" As you help them get dressed, use simple Dutc...
Post a Comment
Read more