Language activities for children

It’s a crazy time right now. Most of us are working from home while taking care of children at the same time. In our home, we try to split it evenly. I work in the mornings, while my husband watches our 3-year old. Then we all have lunch together and I watch Ella in the afternoons, when my husband gets some work done. I’m sure we are not the only family balancing work and child care at the moment. And I’m sure we are not the only family on the lookout for activities for our little bilingual.

Here are some ideas for books, materials, toys, and other resources we have been using. What have you been doing to keep your child entertained and busy at home?

1. Books for children

   Apart from feeding and keeping your child healthy and safe, reading is one of the most important activities! Reading to your child for 15 minutes per day in the minority language will already have a long and lasting impact. Here are some German and English books that we have at home and would recommend for children between the ages of 2-6 years.

2. Ravensburger tiptoi®

Ravensburger tiptoi® is a digital audio learning system. Children can use an electronic pen (den Stift) when interacting with tiptoi® books, games, puzzles, or even a globe. The pen reads the text on the page and/or provides audio sounds that support the text. The pen can even be used as in quiz mode–depending on the book– so children can play interactive games with it about what they see on the pages. Ravensburger offers different book series in tiptoi® format for different age groups, including Bilderbuecher, Endecken und Wissen, Lernspass, Wieso? Weshalb? Warum?, and Leserabe. Among the games, Rechenspass mit Taschengeld is a game that allows in an engaging format to work on numbers and sizes in German.

3. Tonie box

   Tonies are an audiosystem for children with German and English audio plays and books. A company in Dusseldorf, Germany makes the Tonie boxes and Tonies. Tonie boxes and Tonies are two parts of an audio system for children. This audio system allows children to listen to a variety of well-known and classic audio plays and books. Additionally, there are Kreativetonies. They come empty and you can record books via an app on your phone for your child.

5. Boardgames

   Playing boardgames with your children offers great opportunities to interact with them using the minority language. Many boardgames allow you to focus on certain language aspects in a fun and playful way. For example, just by rolling the die, you can practice counting and numbers. Some games help with building vocabulary by focusing on certain word fields such as colors, fruits, animals etc. Or you can use them to simply expose your children to a piece of minority culture while just having fun. Keeping language acquisition fun and engaging is key so children can build a positive, lasting relationship with the minority language. In a nutshell, playing is the best way for children to get engaged, learn, socialize, and communicate with others. Here are some German and U.S. boardgames that are staples in many households.

6. Sing Kinderlieder CDs & DVDs

   Singing is a great way of using language in a playful way, while sharing a piece of culture. “Sing Kinderlieder” started off as a German youtube channel. It is now by far the largest collection of German children songs. In short, they have any song you can think of. If you are not into watching and listening via Youtube, you can also buy their songs on CDs or DVD or download the app.

7. Subscription to KINDERBOOKS

   KINDERBOOKS is an online rental for German children’s books. They are based in New York City (hence their domain name: kinderbooks.nyc). You can sign up for one of three plans they offer: basic ($12.50 for two books per month), standard ($18 for 4 books per month), and deluxe ($30). For example, you can sign up for the $12.50-a-month plan. They will also ask you for your child’s interests. You will then get two books that they will choose for you based on your child’s interest. The books will be mailed to you free of charge with a prepaid return label. You can keep the books for as long as you want. However, in order to get a new set of books, you need to return them. You can cancel any time. Check it out: www.kinderbooks.nyc

8. Ravensburger activity books 

   “Lernen, Lachen, Selbermachen” is a new booklet series by the German publishing house Ravensburger. The booklets offer short, fun and engaging activities for children to experiment and play with letters and numbers. If your child likes coloring and stickers and is in the process of getting to know letters and numbers in German, give this series a try!

9. Highlights

Highlights is a kid magazine with stories, activities and worksheets for all ages. We are currently subscribing to the High Five series. It costs about $32 for an entire year and you receive a new magazine every month. 

10. KIKA app

KiKA player is the a free app (iOS and Android) offered by the public German TV channels ARD and ZDF. Simply download the app onto your smartphone or tablet and your children can watch age-appropriate series, reports, and shows. The episodes are updated and change frequently so you get new content on a regular basis. The one consistent: no violence, no advertising, and no hidden costs!