One Fool-Proof Trick to Introduce Your Child to Hindi (and Have Them Enjoy it Too!)
In every class I teach there is always one activity kids just can’t get enough of.
And after 10+ years of teaching — I have realized that no matter which child you are teaching, it is MOST important for them to enjoy themselves while learning.
So with years of trial and error under my belt, I finally figured out how to get kids to start actually liking/adoring/(dare I say loving?) Hindi in 10 minutes or less.
If you want your child to eventually learn Hindi — so they can chat with relatives, be included when they visit India or just to learn another language — it is key for them to WANT to learn it on their own. That’s why they must like it — trust me, this is half the battle!
What Other People Do Wrong
There are traps everyone falls into — I did at first too — and one of the main ones is teaching kids words to memorize. This makes children want to scream and bolt in the other direction. It makes them think the language is dull, arduous and boring (which, if you are teaching to memorize, it is). So here is how I get children to start liking Hindi; to smile when they “practice” it and to nag you for more.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not time consuming 10+ step process to language instruction. It takes 10 minutes or less and then the learning takes off WITHOUT you.
So how do you get your child involved, interested and ready to jump head-first into learning Hindi?
Simple! Use “Action Words.”
Words that make them move, jump, sweat, laugh. Do it all!
So this makes sense right? But honestly, it is unconventional – especially since the number one tactic people use to kickstart Hindi in their homes is nouns. Static, lifeless nouns. Perhaps they label items in the home with Hindi words, or simply teach them names of animals. It may work, but it’s definitely not engaging or interesting.
The key here is that their first introduction to Hindi, the groundwork, the foundation into the language needs to be big- jump-up-and-down, go-crazy kind of exciting.
Plus we’re talking about kids here! They probably already go to school AND do after school activities AND play a sport. They just want to kick back and have fun. And they should!
So Hindi is playtime. Repeat that to yourself until its true.
And, here’s what you should do.
PICK: the Action Words you want to teach.
Start with 5-6 words. Usually I go straight for the most fun words, like “nacho” (to make them dance) or “gaao” (sing) and mix in some easy things like “aao” (come) “jaao” (go), “baitho” (sit) and “utho” (get up).
SHOW: them how to do it. If it’s “koodo,” jump. If its “so jao,” then act out sleeping
You can use whatever your child responds to best. Maybe hand actions (might resemble sign language) or maybe you just get up and do it yourself. If you know your kid likes to clap or play soccer, do that!
PLAY: have them stand up and do the actions as you call them out. Go fast, go slow, add words, and try to confuse them.
This is the best part. It might take a few minutes at first, but as they get good it takes less and less time…and it’s more and more fun.
Once they become experts at the first few words you teach — go on and teach them more action-words.
Takeaways
(biggest of all) Get your kids to LIKE Hindi
Focusing on actions, will get your kids begging you for more Hindi because it is fun
In my program, I teach the specific step-by-step activities and games you can play with your kids to optimize Hindi learning. For ages 3-9 at all levels.
I will teach your kids myself, and I will give them (fun) homework, worksheets all the materials needed for forward moving learning. You’ll get the ACTUAL lessons, words, material that I have been using in all my years of teaching – with PROVEN results.
