Duration
15 minutes — if it works well with your child, take as long as you want and repeat as often as you wish Age recommendation 6–10 Key words sticking, natural learning, tags Languages of the original source English. This activity can be used in any language. Materials needed Pack of sticky notes ![]() | Aim of the activity The children learn the names of objects in a familiar environment. The aim of the activity is to connect the learning process with everyday life. Preparation for the activity The only thing parents need to prepare is a block of sticky notes on which they will write the names of various objects located in their household in the target language, which is (one of) the family languages. Procedure Parents put the first 10 expressions on notes and stick them on the correct objects (e.g. a chair, table, door, fridge). Then they show their children the notes and explain that the notes will help them remember particular words and expressions in the family languages. When the children feel at ease with the process, parents or the children can add more expressions on more objects around the house until the children know all of the objects in the family languages. To increase the educational value, parents can gradually add more difficult words and expressions to the original words. For example, for the word ”lamp” parents can ask the children to use the names of common activities related to using the lamp, i.e. “switch on”, “switch off”; for the word “apple”, they can ask about “eat” or “peel”. For older children it is possible to add synonyms* or prepositional phrases* that are difficult to remember. Significant benefit of the activity This activity is based on the concept of discovering and learning languages in a natural way and on offering multiple ways of learning and combining learning in everyday life. It leads to a relaxed and natural learning process with no obstacles or time restrictions. (see Zarate, Levy, Kramsch 2008) Source of the activity This activity was inspired by: Zarate G., Levy D., Kramsch C., 2008, Handbook multilingualism and multiculturalism: Language, Identity, Policy, Paris: Archives Contemporaines Ed. |