International Mother Language Day / Bilingual Storytime With Families
Bilingual Storytime With Families
A cosy storytime where a family member or educator reads a picture book in a home language and English, so children hear how the same story sounds in two languages.
How to run it
- Borrow dual-language picture books from the local library or ask families which books they read at home.
- Invite a family member or bilingual educator to read; offer a small thank-you, and reimburse or pay community guests where possible.
- Read each page in the home language first, then in English, and let children guess what happened before the translation.
- Ask the reader to teach two or three words from the story, and add them to a word wall.
You will need
- dual-language picture books
- cushions or mat
- word wall paper
- markers
Make it easier or harderYounger children join in with repeated phrases; older children retell the story using the new words.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 2, Outcome 5Children connect with families and community while developing listening skills and curiosity about language.
Fits these theme days
International Mother Language DayNational Simultaneous StorytimeBook WeekWorld Book DayInternational Literacy DayNational Families Week
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