Successful second language learning depends on the development of your child’s native language. The following activities are suggestions for you to do with your child, or for your child to do on their own, to develop their first language. Use as much language as you can during the activity. The activities below are based on what you can do in the United States, but you can tweak the activities to your own culture.
The following activities are also focused on building your child's background knowledge or prior knowledge. It is important for your child to have many, various experiences to increase their background knowledge or prior knowledge. Background knowledge is essential for reading comprehension. Children need to have knowledge about the topic in a story or text in order to understand it. The more a child knows about a topic, the easier it is to read and understand a text as well as remember the information in the text.
Most importantly, spend time together having fun and making memories!
Discuss how the weather changes and how people and animals prepare for summer and survive during the summer.Discuss hot climates like a desert and how people and animals survive in this habitat.
Read summer-themed children’s books to your child.
If your child is able to read, have your child read books that they are interested in. Visit the public library for free books for your child to read.
Go on a nature walk or hike.Bring a magnifying glass. Examine butterflies, insects, berries, flowers, leaves, birds, frogs, parts of a plant or tree.
Visit museums, parks, aquariums, farms, zoos, the beach, fairs, water parks, theme parks, farmer’s markets, factory tours or national wildlife refuges.
Plant vegetables, flowers, or a tree.Discuss plant as a noun and as a verb (to plant). Vocabulary words: seeds, soil/dirt, dig, pat, watering can/hose, grow, weeds, sprout, blossom, stem, roots, bud, petal, leaf, flowerpot, garden.Discuss what plants need in order to grow.
Have your child play a sport or go to a sporting event.
Go camping (even if it’s in your backyard) and/or fishing.
Go for a bike ride.
Go canoeing/kayaking or for a boat ride.
Have your children play on the playground.
Use sidewalk chalk for your children to practice math facts, spelling sight words, or writing sentences.
Stargaze. Talk about constellations, the North Star, the verb twinkle.
Watch fireflies glow at night.
Go berry picking.
Feed the ducks.
Eat ice cream, popsicles, snow cones or watermelon.
Go on a picnic.
Have your children jump rope or play hopscotch.
Watch fireworks.
Play miniature golf.
Set up a lemonade stand.
Make a bird feeder.
Watch or be a part of a parade.
Have your child go to a summer or day camp.
Fly a kite.
Discuss Independence Day.Does your native country also have Independence Day?
Discuss summer weather (rain: sprinkle, drizzle, pour/downpour, flood wind:breeze, blustery, windy, hurricane clouds:cloudy, clear, gloomy, foggy other:storm, drought, thunder, lightening, tornado, rainbow)
Go whale watching.
Have your child swim at your local pool if you have one.