We often say that children have many kinds of intelligence. This shouldn't be limited to studies and bookish knowledge. It also includes a love for music, athletics, board games, and more. Each child is different from the others. Likewise, as they learn, children's brains use special cognitive abilities and reach different milestones at their own pace.

From a parent's perspective, for families living abroad due to personal or professional reasons, there can be different challenges in teaching your kids Malayalam. Because of the emotional connection and sentimental value, you may wish for your children to be rooted in their own culture and language. In that, the mother tongue plays a key role.

Let's look at some fun and engaging ways a child can learn Malayalam easily. Akshharam is one of the easiest and most convenient platforms for that. It offers some of the best and leading online Malayalam classes for children.

It is very common for kids to be connected to the digital world. If you offer a phone or a book, they would definitely choose the phone over the book. This is because gadgets and devices are very appealing and visually mesmerizing. For them, the main purpose is often gaming. A majority of kids use their devices for playing games, or maybe just scrolling.

Games are very crucial for kids' development, contributing to their cognitive, mental, social, and emotional growth. Through fun and engaging ways, they can increase children's creativity and help in boosting confidence.

Why Games are a Superpower for Language Learning

Before we dive in, let's appreciate the magic. Games are more than just fun; they are powerful learning tools. They:

•             Reduce Pressure: There are no wrong answers, only "try again." This encourages experimentation without fear.

•             Boost Memory: Interactive elements and repetition in games help cement new words and sounds.

•             Make it Relevant: Kids see the language as a key to unlocking fun, not just a subject to be studied.

Ready to play? Let's explore some fantastic game categories and ideas!

Game 1: Aksharamala (Alphabet Adventure)

• Malayalam is a unique language with 51 letters (excluding the chillakshharam and chinnanghal). One game that can be played to help children learn the Malayalam alphabet is the "Akshharam Treasure Hunt." It can be played by hiding a particular letter in a corner or any hidden spot and asking them to find it.
• The game can also be played by giving them some jumbled letter flashcards and asking them to pick one. This way, they will learn to differentiate between the letters.
• There are even apps available in online stores so that kids can easily trace the unique curvilinear script, produce its sound, and gradually arrange jumbled letters in the correct order to form a word when they are ready, after learning the alphabet.

Game 2: Word forming

• Show the kids a letter and ask them to form three to four words that start with it. For example, if the letter "Tha" is given, they can form words like "Thara, Thamara, Thenga". Through this game, cognitive development, including memory, is boosted.
• Through the use of real-world objects, the "Vocabulary Voyage" game assists kids in creating a word bank. The game requires the child to either shout out or type the correct Malayalam word in a chat box. This competitive, social exercise improves memory and links the word to an actual object.
• Children can also make digital bingo cards using images of everyday objects by using the "Picture Bingo" app or digital tool. The child marks the matching image on their card when the caller says the word in Malayalam. "Bingo!" is yelled by the first person in queue, who then has to repeat the words they marked.

Game 3: Storytelling and Sentence (Kadha & Vakyam)

• Tell the kids a story, maybe about a king and a place, or about the jungle and animals. This way, they will learn new vocabulary and sentence formation. By nurturing them with stories in this way, and after a few trials, you can ask them to create and tell their own story. This engaging approach to learning Malayalam not only teaches the language but also enhances their creativity and imagination.
• Through storytelling and phrase-making, children learn grammar and sentence structure with proper articulation, which helps them develop a natural flow in their speaking and conversational skills.

Game 4: Cultural Quiz

During free time or at night, make it a regular habit to play games that focus on the cultures of Kerala. Ask quiz questions about the harvest festivals of Kerala, like Onam, Vishu, Vallam Kali, and Kolkali.

Apart from the games, there is an online platform called Akshharam, which offers online Malayalam classes for children. Our aim is not perfection, but presence—to help your kids nurture an authentic connection to the Malayalam language through various fun tricks and games. Our structured approach to teaching can seamlessly and effortlessly benefit your child's learning. Please visit our website and get in touch with us for more details.