Hello Spring, Hello April

April is the month of many things; pranks, chocolate eggs, new life. We would like to help you bring new life to your child’s English learning by providing some ideas and tips to implement English into everyday play!

Finally Spring

During the cold months, everyone looks forward to the springtime. Now that it has finally arrived, we encourage you to celebrate it! It is the perfect opportunity to introduce basic vocabulary through crafts and drawing!

Get creative with hands-on crafts that capture the essence of spring. Colouring sheets, fingerprint bunnies, painting eggs… there are endless possibilities to incorporate language learning while engaging in artistic expression. One excellent website with easy instructions in English and using materials you are bound to have around the house is https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ideas/by-craft/art-ideas/. Learn how to make these tin flower pots, for example!

• Outdoor excursions are another wonderful way to embrace the English language. Going on walks through nature or playing in the park, make sure to ask your child the name of animals, plants, sounds. The game “I spy with my little eye…” is an excellent way to learn letters and new words!
•  Scavenger Hunts around the house or outdoors to find and identify spring-related objects is a great way to encourage your child to use their English skills to describe each item they discover, expanding their vocabulary along the way.

April is Poetry Month

The month of April is also known as poetry month. Take advantage of this to embrace the wonderful range of English literature and poems! Discuss rhyming words, work on pronunciation, and improve reading skills! Discover exciting new poems with these websites, that have great resources suitable for all ages:

• BBC Bitesize  https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zjhhvcw
• The Academy of American Poets: https://poets.org/poems-kids

Siblings Day 10.4

When was the last time you paused to truly appreciate your siblings and say thank you? This April 10th, let’s celebrate the special bond we share with our siblings and express our love in a meaningful way. Create a heartfelt card in English to show your gratitude!

World Earth Day 22.4

Every year on April 22nd, we celebrate Earth Day—a perfect chance to learn why taking care of our planet matters. Check out this video to dive deeper into Earth Day and find inspiring ways to join the celebration and develop English vocabulary!

• https://youtu.be/wefswCPT7B4

Discover these two exciting websites packed with fun activities, interactive quizzes, and fascinating science to help your child learn English while discovering scientific facts, exploring the environment, and engaging with Global Issues!

• NASA Climate Kids: https://climatekids.nasa.gov/menu/play/
• U.S. Energy Information Administration energyKIDS: https://www.eia.gov/kids/games-and-activities/

April Book Recommendations

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is an essential first book to read in English. Its vivid and colourful collage illustrations and hopeful story about a caterpillar with an extraordinarily large appetite have helped it become the most read children’s book in Britain.

Age: 4+

Available:http://thalia.de/shop/home/artikeldetails/A1001303154

 

 

The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr

This classic picture book story tells the story of Sophie and her extraordinary teatime guest. Loved by children all over the world, this funny picture book story from is perfect for reading aloud, or for small children to read themselves. First published in 1968 and never out of print, it has become a timeless classic, perfect for little hands.

Age: 4+

Available: https://www.thalia.de/shop/home/artikeldetails/A1046635126

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

From the world renowned author, Roald Dahl, James and the Giant Peach is a classic, capturing reader’s imaginations for generations. Filled with beautiful, descriptive language (suitable for advanced readers) and an underlying message of resilience and perseverance, follow James through a magical world inside a humongous peach with his insect friends!

Age: 8+

Available: https://www.thalia.de/shop/home/artikeldetails/A1047648340

 

Thank you for reading our April Newsletter, we wish you a wonderful April and not too many “April Showers!”.

Best wishes,

Native4kids