What is fun learning and how can we use it with language learning in our home?

Learning a language often has its challenges due to mindless teaching methods, dull curriculum, and limited opportunities to use the language outside of a classroom. This is why fun learning methods are so important.

What if fun learning?

Fun learning is when we use activities that create a fun and engaging learning environment. It creates opportunities for a wiliness to participate and a safe space for risk taking. Fun learning also helps information be retained better. The learning experience was enjoyable, making it more memorable.

Fun learning is not only for young children but is also valuable for adults as well. Many adults have downloaded or played some type of memory game to help build a strong mind by enhancing brain function, strengthen attention, concentration, and their focus.

What kinds of activities can be used to make learning English fun?

Sensory Play

Activities that involve the senses are a great way to make learning fun. Sensory play usually involves one or more of the 5 senses. Such as taste, sight, sounds, smells, and touch. Simple play examples often include colored rice or beans, textures like fluffy soap or foam, or exploring smells with scented play doughs.

It is also an easy way to use simple English phrases! For example: the simple activity of mixing water colored red, yellow, & blue.

Let's Try!

• "What colors should we mix?"

• "Let's mix red and blue."

• "It changed!"

• "What color is it?"

• "Should we add more?"

• "What happened to the red?"

Games

Everyone knows games are a great way to create fun and memorable learning. There are so many free games and printable sources online for families to use. Pinterest is a great place to look for games and ideas for activities. They don't have to be ENGLISH learning games either.

January is often a time of year to talk about snow and winter. This simple build a snowman game, from Homegrown Friends, is a great easy to prep game for families to practice simple English. It is a dice rolling game with a puzzle like element. The vocabulary would include words like carrot nose, stick arms, head, two body circles, coal circles (face), and a hat.

Let's Try!

• "Your turn."

• "I got a carrot nose."

• "Where does the hat go?"

• "You did it!"

• "Roll the dice."

• "What did you get?"

• "I go stick arms."

Arts & Crafts

Crafting is a great way to practice vocabulary in a creative way. Cutting, glueing, coloring, & painting. It is a messy but super fun way to use English. Reading practice and listening comprehension are often benefit with these types of activities. They also often have a larger amount of vocabulary to use because of the supplies that can be used when creating! If we look at an activity like making DIY Cardboard Valentines for kids. There are so many different supplies needed and simple vocabulary when creating the project. Cardboard, scissors, puffy paint, glue, pom poms, and glitter and the basic supplies needed.

Let's Try!

• "let's paint."

• "Let's decorate."

• "Decoration time!"

• "What should we use?"

• "What color should we us?"

• "Time to cut."

• "What shape is it?"

Videos and Songs

Finding TV programs and songs are a great source of English. I know screen time is a big thing in many house holds, but using that time on a program or music program that the family can enjoy together with only enhance everyones learning experience.

Some of my families favorite programs include Super Simple Songs, Bluey, The Magic School Bus, Word Party Presents: Math!, Number Blocks, Word World, Blues Clues, Blippi, Mother Goose Club, Story Bots, Ada Twist Scientist, Thomas and Friends, Disney programs, and more.

It is really up to your families about screen time, but I really think having some English programing into your families screen time is a great opportunity. It can help introduce different cultures, and be educational in other ways.

English learning does not have to be an all or nothing experience for the family. I know that many families often worry about personal language levels when it comes to language learning in the home, but all you need is the start. Simple activities and play while using English is a great start! As long as you strive to make learning fun and engaging it can be a memorable experience that the whole family can enjoy!

What are some of your favorite activities you do already or would love to start doing in your home? Can't wait to read all about it in the comments below!