Fun Summer Activities to Promote Bilingualism in Children
With summer here, it's a great time for parents to engage with their children in activities that not only create lasting memories but also promote bilingualism. Whether you're fluent in both languages or just starting the journey with your child, these activities are designed to be enjoyable and educational for everyone involved. Let's explore five wonderful ways to incorporate language learning into your summer plans!
1. Reading Bilingual Sound Books
One of the most simple and effective ways to introduce and reinforce a second language at home during the summer is through bilingual kids books. Binibi offers a collection of bilingual sound books, which you can find on our website, that combine engaging sounds, vibrant illustrations, and text in English and Spanish that make it easy to follow along. They make reading interactive and fun, helping children associate words and phrases with new Spanish words through auditory cues. Set aside time each day to read with your children, prioritizing books on topics they enjoy to get them excited about practicing the target language. Whether indoors on a rainy day or under a shady tree in the park, books provide a wonderful opportunity for language immersion and parent-child bonding.
2. Explore Nature and Label Objects
Summer is the perfect time to get outdoors and explore nature with your children. You can take walks in local parks, go on hikes, visit botanical gardens or just enjoy a trip to the park. While exploring, encourage your child to describe what they see in the target language and introduce new words to them. Use simple phrases like "el árbol" (the tree) or "las flores" (the flowers) to label objects. This interactive activity helps children connect vocabulary with real-world objects and experiences, reinforcing language skills in a natural and fun way.
3. Have Cultural Picnics or Potlucks
Food brings people together and it can also be a fantastic tool for language learning! Over the summer, plan picnics or potluck gatherings where you prepare dishes from different cultures that speak the target language. For instance, if you're learning Spanish, try making empanadas or paella together as a family. Use this time to discuss the origins of the dish, practice cooking-related vocabulary and enjoy a meal immersed in the language you're learning. It's a delicious way to make language learning a memorable part of your summer routine.
4. Create a Language Learning Scrapbook or Journal
Documenting summer memories in a bilingual scrapbook or journal is not only a creative activity, but also a fantastic language-learning tool. Encourage your child to write or draw about their favorite summer adventures using both languages. If they’re too young to do either you can sit together and do it for them as you label elements in the target language. You can include photographs, ticket stubs or drawings that you can look back on and reminisce about. This activity not only reinforces vocabulary and grammar, but also serves as a cherished keepsake of your bilingual journey together.
5. Attend Virtual Language Classes or Language Camps
Many communities offer virtual language classes or camps during the summer months that are engaging and interactive, providing more formal language learning activities tailored to different age groups. If you’re hoping to immerse your child in the target language during the summer, it may be a great idea to look for programs that align with your child's interests and proficiency level in the target language. Virtual classes allow flexibility in scheduling and can be a great way for children to interact with peers who are also learning the language while camps may offer an in-person alternative where children can interact through physical activities that promote language learning.
Summer is a season filled with opportunities for family bonding and exploration. By incorporating some of these activities into your summer plans, you’ll not only create fun and memorable experiences, but also support your child's bilingual development. Each activity offers unique benefits that contribute to language proficiency and cultural awareness. Embrace the journey of bilingualism this summer and watch as your child blossoms into a confident language learner through lots of practice and consistency!
This blog series is powered by Binibi, an education company dedicated to promoting bilingualism at the earliest ages. Binibi makes bilingual sound books for children ages 0-5 that are designed for parents to have a fun and easy way to introduce a second language at home, from day one. Binibi is dedicated to creating reading experiences that are both entertaining and educational, and to encouraging parents and caregivers to spend time with their babies through reading together. Binibi seeks to promote language development in children and to encourage families to raise bilingual children.
