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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:

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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 Dutch words to name each item of clothing: "shirt" (het shirt), "pants" (de broek), "shoes" (de schoenen). Psychology in Education suggests that "Practice in real contexts helps children learn not only how to do a skill but also why and when..." (Woolfolk et al., 2013). Encourage your little one to repeat the words after you, making it a fun game.

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Mealtime Dutch: Transform breakfast, lunch, and dinner into interactive Dutch sessions. As per Brandl (2021), implementing real life elements, materials or objects allows for more meaningful, communicative learning experience. Use with pictures of, or real common foods such as "bread" (het brood), "milk" (de melk), "apple" (de appel), "cheese" (de kaas). As you serve each item, say its name in Dutch, encouraging your toddler to point to the correct picture and repeat the word. Simple activities such as these form a part of the lesson packages offered by TernTales too.

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Playtime is Learning Time: Incorporate Dutch into playtime. Choose toys that come in pairs or sets, such as blocks, cars, or animals. Count them together in Dutch: "een, twee, drie." Sing simple Dutch songs and rhymes with actions (Pachler & Redondo, 2014), helping your toddler connect words with movement. Development of new vocabulary can be a fun bonding experience.


Be sure to celebrate every small milestone! Learning a new language takes time and effort. Focus on making it enjoyable for your toddler, and you'll be amazed at how quickly they start to understand and use Dutch. As your toddler's language skills develop, you can gradually introduce more complex language and activities. Have a look at what TernTales digital Dutch lessons for kids can offer.

By integrating Dutch into everyday routines and making it fun and interactive, you can lay a strong foundation for your toddler's language development, setting them up for a successful and enriching experience in their new environment!

Sources:
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

Pachler, N., & Redondo, A. (2014). A practical guide to teaching foreign languages in the secondary school. Routledge Teaching Guides.


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