We understand the importance of exposing children to new languages as early as possible. However, the reality is that young children often lack the concentration needed for traditional language learning methods. How can we expect them to sit down and study the rules of a new language for several minutes?
If you have small children, you know that their primary goal is to have fun. But here’s the good news: we can harness the power of play to help them learn languages without even realizing it.
Attention is a ‘Muscle’ that Takes 20 Years to Develop
Catching the attention of little ones can be quite a challenge due to the time it takes for the brain to develop. This process, which spans over years and culminates around age 20, impacts their cognitive abilities, including their ability to focus.
The power of their attention varies with age: At 2 years old, they can barely stay focused on a task for about 5 minutes, while at 6 or 7, this period extends to about 20 minutes.
Do you know how long an adult can endure the same task? 45 minutes!
Kick Boredom Away with Gamified Learning!
Educational boredom is not impossible to overcome, and the solution is more accessible than it seems: gamified learning.
This educational strategy is not only becoming increasingly popular but is also revolutionizing how we learn and how we feel about it.
And it’s no wonder! Not only does it capture students’ attention, but it also boosts their motivation and, even better, makes them enjoy classes like never before!
What is Gamified Learning?
Gamification is an educational strategy that brings the excitement of games into the learning process. With challenges, rewards, and competitions, we capture students’ attention and enhance their motivation.
The result? A fun and memorable way to make the most of classroom hours!
Strategies for Implementing Gamified Learning at Home
You don’t need to be a pedagogue to implement gamified learning strategies with your children. With a little creativity, you can apply the strategies presented here and make English lessons at home so enjoyable that they’ll fly by.
Some of the most commonly used techniques in gamification include:
- Scores and Levels: Award points and levels for completing tasks, challenges, or games, motivating children to overcome obstacles and reach goals.
- Challenges and Missions: Present engaging challenges and missions that children must overcome, providing them with a sense of achievement and progress in their learning.
- Rewards: Reward children’s efforts and achievements with tangible or virtual incentives, such as medals, stickers, or special privileges.
- Competitions: Encourage healthy competition among children, either individually or in teams, to stimulate their participation and commitment.
- Narrative: Integrate a story into learning activities, emotionally involving children and making them feel part of an educational adventure.
- Personalization: Adapt learning activities according to the individual interests and abilities of each child, increasing their motivation and commitment.
Now that you know these strategies, you can invent games and incentives that motivate your child to learn, or you can also use some of our favorite language learning games!
Conclusion
If there’s one thing to take away from all we’ve seen about gamified learning, it’s this:
“Learning a new language doesn’t have to be dull or daunting for your child. By infusing playfulness and creativity into their learning experience, you can turn language acquisition into a thrilling adventure they’ll eagerly embrace.”
– Linguajoy
Remember, at Linguajoy, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Check out our available courses for children and start your child’s language learning adventure today!