Učimo se angleško
How can I help my child like English?
Many parents are eager to help their kids learn English from a young age. One of the most important factors in teaching foreign languages to young children is helping them form positive perceptions of communicating with foreign languages.
Here are some suggestions for helping your children enjoy English:
Let your children see YOU enjoying English
One of the best ways to get children interested in doing something is to let them observe you enjoying that activity. Don't make a big deal out of it, but let your children see you reading English books or newspapers. Watch English DVDs, listen to English music or let them see you speaking English with a friend. Your children look up to you. When they are playing, they pretend to be you. If you'd like them to be interested in English, show them that you are interested in English.
Use English that doesn't require them to answer in English
If a child is forced to respond in a second language they find difficult, they can become frustrated and disappointed easily. You can use a lot of English with your children that doesn't pressure them to speak.
Use simple commands, such as "Put on your shoes." "Let's go." or "Give me the apple, please."
Give praise, like "Good job!" "Well done!" or "What a beautiful drawing!"
Expose your children to English
Remember that INPUT is essential. Identify some English media (such as DVDs and CDs) that your children like and let them enjoy it on their own terms without pressuring them to produce English right away. Read to your children in English as well. Find some good English picture books that your children enjoy looking at with you and read to them at story time. Just be careful not to completely replace books in your native language with English books. For developing literacy, it's extremely important that you read to your child in their native language regularly.
Focus on the positives
Learning a second language should be a positive experience. Remember that this isn't a race. If you are exposing your children to English regularly in fun ways, they will be fine as they progress in their language learning. If you push too hard, they will start to resist. Focus on the positives. Praise your children for their English, but don't go overboard and make them feel like speaking English is extraordinary. You want your children to feel positive about English without making them feel like English is a big scary subject beyond their reach.
Taken from http://supersimplelearning.com/
The World Book Day
World Book Day is recognised by over 100 countries around the world. It will be celebrated on 6th March 2014 and its purpose is to encourage reading and a love of books in children.
Encouraging your child to read a wide variety of books is probably the best education you can give them - but sometimes it seems an uphill struggle! Here are some ways you can encourage them:
Library day
If you live near to a good library, you could designate one day of the week "Library Day". Getting your kids their own library cards can be a huge incentive.
Read with your child
Younger children like nothing better than to snuggle up with their parents to share reading time. You can also practice putting lots of expression into your reading: if your child learns to do this too, it will help their understanding (and of course prove useful when reading out loud at school!).
Read to your child
Even adults like to be read to sometimes - so try not to grow out of the habit of reading to your kids!
Keep a record
Sometimes keeping a record can make reading more fun - for all ages. One Idea is to create a "caterpillar" by cutting out colourful circles of paper. Decorate one to look like a cheerful caterpillar's face and then add circles for his body, one by one, each time your child finishes a book, writing the name of the book on the circle if you wish.