As the new school year begins in Canada, many children are returning to classrooms and settling into their daily routines. Moreover, parents will start to arrange their children’s schedules in a way which would not make them overwhelmed with too many responsibilities and give them enough time for rest and play. However, for parents of Malayali children this time could also be used for making plans about their children learning Malayalam and staying connected to their language and culture in spite of all the challenges of a school year. Although it may be difficult to find time for learning Malayalam language and culture, it is possible to avoid this problem turning into stress for your child.

With some planning and a proper learning strategy, Malayalam classes could easily be arranged in a weekly routine of your child without interfering with school or other activities. Arranging flexible class times, choosing the right schedule of learning and encouraging home practice could help to turn the process into something fun and easy to handle. In this blog, we will discuss useful strategies which will help to fit Malayalam classes in your child’s September schedule.

Can Kids Learn Malayalam Alongside the School Year?

Yes. Children can learn Malayalam alongside school with one or two live classes per week and 10 minutes of daily home practice. Because children retain knowledge better with frequent, shorter lessons, rather than one large session scheduled in a day, learning Malayalam is an ideal micro habit which is to be nurtured.

Why is September such a great time to start?

A new school year is always a reset period. Your child will be adjusting to new schedules and, in the meantime, you can sneak in one more micro-habit without stressing too much. Here's why:

• School routines are already being set. Your child will adjust to the new schedule faster if he/she is already familiar with some daily Malayalam habits.

• School energy is high. Children are always excited at the beginning of the school year.

• You get a whole school year. This is more than enough time to get from letters to words to simple sentences.

How many minutes of Malayalam does my child need?

A 10- 15 minute session of Malayalam a day will be enough for little ones. This is similar to brushing teeth, a necessary daily routine that doesn't carve out much time. A Sample September Malayalam learning schedule:

School Days (10 minutes) -

• Read two or three Malayalam words out loud after dinner

• Say 'ഭക്ഷണം കഴിച്ചോ?' (Have you eaten?) at meal times

• Sing one Malayalam rhyme before bed

Weekends (30-40 minutes):

• Join a live online Malayalam class

• Play a quick revision game with flash cards

• Read a short picture book together

Where should my child begin?

It is best to start with Malayalam reading for beginners. Since Malayalam is a phonetic language, learning the sounds will allow your child to sound out what he/she sees. Don't rush the letters — take it slow and only move on to the next set when your child is comfortable. Start with words your child is likely to hear at home, like:

• അമ്മ  – mother
   
• അച്ഛൻ – father
   
• വെള്ളം – water
   
• പുസ്തകം – book

These are like familiar faces in a new outfit — your child might take a while to get used to the new sound but they will definitely recognize the word. After that, try a short Malayalam sentence. "അമ്മ വരുന്നു" — Mother is coming.

5 Ways to Sneak in Malayalam Learning

1. Car time - Play Malayalam rhymes or songs in the car as you drive to and from school.
 

2. Sticky notes - Put Malayalam words on the fridge and bookshelf.
 

3. Dinner table - Designate dinner as Malayalam practice time and use a few simple words or phrases that your child has learned.
 

4. Grandparents' call - A five-minute video call with grandparents is a great opportunity to get your child speaking Malayalam.
 

5. Picture books - Read a picture book before bedtime instead of watching TV.
 

How to keep kids from feeling overwhelmed

Keep Malayalam as light and fun as possible. Kids have too many other responsibilities during the school year to feel pressured to learn the language. Celebrate all wins - big or small, and avoid correcting too many mistakes. Your child should feel confident about their Malayalam, not perfect.

Why are live online Malayalam classes ideal for busy Canadian parents?

Canada is a large country, and Malayalam teachers are not always easy to find. That’s why online classes are an excellent choice for Malayalam learning for kids, because they offer:

• No commute - Your child can learn Malayalam from the comfort of your home.
 

• Flexible schedule - Sessions can be scheduled according to your time - school, extracurricular activities and time zones will not matter.
 

• Live tutors - Children are more engaged in live video conferencing than pre-recorded online classes.

How Does Akshharam Help Your Child - Step By Step

Akshharam is an online Malayalam learning platform with live Malayalam classes and experienced tutors for kids aged 5+. The program is divided into four levels so the child can progress from one stepping stone to the next seamlessly. It includes:

1. Harishree (ഹരിശ്രീ): Alphabet, reading and small words
    
2. Vaayanashaala (വായനശാല): Reading and writing fluency
    
3. Thoolika (തൂലിക): Independent sentence building
    
4. Kilikonchal (കിളിക്കൊഞ്ചൽ): Real conversation practice
    

Small, careful Steps Make a Big Change
 

You do not need to have a fully formed plan to raise a Malayalam-speaking kid during the school year. All you need is a couple of minutes, one weekly session, and loads of encouragement and support. September is the perfect time to start. By next summer, your child will be able to read billboards in Kerala and chat with grandparents- all without your help! Start your journey to raise a Malayalam-speaking kid in Canada. Join Akshharam and take a live Malayalam trial session today!