Teach with Movement – Fun Language Learning for Kids

In this article, I will show you ideas and games that you can incorporate into your English or any other language teaching, either as a parent or as a language teacher. The point is to get children moving, singing and dancing while learning a language, and to make learning more effective and enjoyable.

As you know, movement has many positive effects on the body and brain. Movement improves memory, concentration, creativity and helps to relieve stress. It also stimulates the areas of the brain responsible for language learning. To read more about the role of movement in language learning, see my article on the topic, Why Movement Matters in Kids’ Language Learning

I hope that this blog will inspire you to introduce movement-based language learning into your teaching practice. Children will love playful language learning and will learn more effectively thanks to movement.

For the following ideas, I recommend using the PixiLearn Online Picture Dictionary app, available in 12 languages, to select letters, objects, animals and numbers. And of course, to pronounce them correctly!

Language Hopscotch

Create a hopscotch court where each square represents a new word or phrase in the target language. Children should jump from one word to the next, saying the words aloud. Alternatively, you can place an image of the phrase on the last square and if they reach it without losing their balance, they can say it. There are countless variations, so be creative! You can buy such a game ready-made in a toy store, but you can also make it at home. You can even draw one on the ground with chalk. If you are playing with young children, simplify the game by using fewer squares and only the simplest words and phrases.

Objectives of the game:

• Expand vocabulary in the target language
• Practice words and phrases in a playful way
• Improve physical coordination and balance
• Combine movement and learning

Tip:

You can create different difficulty levels and reward children at the end of the game for their hard work.

Picture Hunt

Hide cards around the garden or house, each card with a picture. If you are playing with more then one kid, the winner is the one who can collect the most cards in a given time and, of course, name the objects and living things on the cards. If you are only playing with one child, the goal of the game can be to collect the cards and describe the things on the pictures, or to make up a story based on the cards. This movement helps to stimulate the brain and improve vocabulary.

Objectives of the game:

• Expand vocabulary
• Develop language learning skills
• Encourage creativity and imagination
• Promote movement and physical activity

Tip:

You can also use small objects or drawings instead of cards.

Treasure Hunt

Organize a treasure hunt game where children have to follow clues in the target language. The clues lead them to different locations where they must solve physical tasks and language puzzles to find the treasure. The treasure could be a small gift, candy, or anything else the kids like. It can be played in the garden, park, house, or any other location. The game is really for older children, but it can also be tried with younger children, in which case the clues can be made with pictures, pictograms, or verbal instructions.

Objectives of the game:

• Learn language in a playful and enjoyable way
• Expand vocabulary and develop language skills
• Promote movement and physical activity
• Encourage problem-solving and creativity
• Develop teamwork and communication skills

Tip:

Use colored paper, felt-tip pens, pictures, and decorations to make the game even more appealing. Be creative when coming up with clues and tasks so that the children are excited about the next challenge. Don’t forget to praise the children for their hard work and success!

Animal Movements

Play a game where children have to imitate animals while saying the names of the animals in the target language. For example, “I hop like a frog” or “I run like a horse.” This game helps to connect movement and words while developing children’s motor skills and vocabulary. You can also make the game more difficult by not naming the animals, the children have to guess which animal it is and imitate its movements. If you are playing with young children, simplify the game by choosing fewer animals and making the movements easier.

Objectives of the game:

• Expand vocabulary in the target language
• Develop movement and coordination
• Improve balance
• Encourage creativity and imagination
• Make learning playful and enjoyable

Tip:

You can use any accessories that help children imitate animals (e.g., stuffed animals, masks, bracelets). At the end of the game, reward the children for their hard work. This could be a small gift, a compliment, or even another round of the game.

Color Hunt

Give instructions to children in the target language to find objects in different colors. For example, “Find something that is red!”. This helps them learn the words for colors and objects while they are moving and exploring. To make it more challenging, also give a description of the objects in addition to the color, so that the children have to pay even more attention. For example: “Find a red object that is round!”. You can even use a timer so that the children have to race to find the objects. If you are playing with young children, simplify the game by choosing fewer colors and making the objects easier to identify.

Objectives of the game:

• Learn the words for colors and objects in the target language
• Develop movement and coordination
• Improve attention and concentration
• Encourage problem-solving and creativity
• Make learning playful and enjoyable

Tip:

You can use any objects that the children can find in their environment for the game. At the end of the game, reward the children for their hard work.

Dance and Sing

In this game, children have to imitate different movements while singing in the target language. This game is a great opportunity to develop movement, coordination, and a sense of rhythm, while children learn new words and phrases. Choose a cheerful and easy-to-follow song in the target language. Teach the children the lyrics and melody of the song, and come up with simple movements for the song’s lyrics and rhythm. Show the children the movements while singing the song and ask them to imitate you.

Objectives of the game:

• Expand vocabulary in the target language
• Develop movement, coordination, and rhythm
• Improve attention and concentration
• Encourage creativity and imagination
• Make learning playful and enjoyable

Tip:

You can use any accessories that help the children for the game. At the end of the game, reward the children for their hard work. This could be a small gift, a compliment, or even another round of the game.

Acrobatic Alphabet

The Acrobatic Alphabet is a creative and active playful learning method where children form the letters they learn with their bodies. It’s a game suited for older children who are familiar with the letters. Forming more complex letters requires more than one child, making it primarily a multi-player game. After completing the task, say words in the learned language that start with the given letter. It offers a great opportunity to develop movement, coordination, and body awareness while children learn new letters and words.

Objectives of the game:

• Learn letters and words in the target language
• Develop movement, coordination, and body awareness
• Encourage creativity and imagination
• Make learning playful and enjoyable

Tip:

Use basic poses, arm and leg movements, facial expressions, and even props to represent the letters.

Numbers Written on Each Other’s Backs

Write numbers on small pieces of paper and fold them up. Place the cards face down on a table. Each player draws a card from the deck but does not show it to anyone. One player writes the number on their card on the other player’s back with their finger. The player who has the number written on their back tries to guess the number that was written on their back. If the player guesses the number, they must say it aloud in the target language. If the player guesses the number, the writer must do as many squats as the number was. If the player does not guess the number, then they must do as many squats as the number was. In the next round, the roles are reversed, and the player who had the number written on their back in the previous round writes on the back.

Objectives of the game:

• Practice numbers in the target language
• Develop motor coordination
• Quick thinking

Tip:

Use cards of different sizes and colors to make the game more exciting. You can also play the game so that the players do not squat, but do other movements according to the value of the number (e.g., jumping, clapping).

Take care of the children’s safety

It is important to choose games according to the age and ability of the children. During the games, pay attention to children’s safety and choose a suitable location for the games.

Language learning through movement is an effective and enjoyable way to develop language skills. Try the ideas above and see for yourself the benefits of this learning approach!