Food plays a major role in a child’s daily routine. Food activities can be easily incorporated into everyday activities to help develop your child’s understanding and use of English.

Making up a shopping list

A good starting point is to ask your child to help you write a simple shopping list in English before you visit the supermarket. This will help your child to become familiar with the names of everyday food items.

Step 1:
Start by making a list of ten items in English and then increase the number of English words by two or three each visit. It is important to include some of the items you have previously had on the shopping list, as it will allow your child time to consolidate the English words he or she has already learned. Introducing a couple of new items at a time will not overwhelm your child, and the child is more likely to remember the additional words.

Step 2:
To help reinforce the English words, your child could draw pictures of the food or cut out pictures from a magazine to stick next to each item on the list. Allow time to look at the shopping list together before you go to the supermarket and encourage your child to read it to you.

Step 3:
At the supermarket, give your child the responsibility of getting the items on the shopping list in English. Start by allowing your child to look at the list and the picture, and then challenge him or her by just saying the English word. For example, in the fruit section, say the word ‘banana’ and see if your child can identify the correct fruit without the pictorial prompt. It is a good idea to include one of your child’s favourite foods on the English shopping list, so that he or she can eat it after your visit to the supermarket.

Step 4:
On the way home, you can play a memory game where you and your child have to take it in turns to name the items you brought in English and see if you can remember all of them.

Cooking

Another fun way to elicit English vocabulary from your child is to get busy cooking.

Step 1:
Visit an English bookshop together and buy a cookery book for children. Ask your child to choose one of the recipes. By allowing your child to select the dish, he or she will be extremely motivated and enthusiastic about this activity.

Step 2:
To encourage your child to practise his or her reading skills, take it in turns to read out the instructions in English. This will show your child that you enjoy using English and it will take the pressure of reading all of the English words away from him or her, so that your child will still enjoy the cooking activity.

Step 3:
Throughout the cooking activity, focus on the different sensory experiences your child will be aware of. For example, ask your child to describe the smell, texture, appearance and taste of the food. Share the food with the rest of your family, and remember to pay your compliments to the chef.

Tips:

• Tasting different foods and flavours stimulates a lot of descriptive vocabulary. Encourage your child to compare different flavours and talk to your child about his or her favourite food.
• Sharing food is a very social occasion that naturally generates conversation. During mealtimes, try to introduce the English names of different food.
• Remember to have fun with your child and encourage him or her to be creative when using English.

Useful books:

• Ketchup on your cornflakes? by Nick Sharratt
• Handa’s Surprise by Eileen Browne
• Don’t forget the bacon! by Pat Hutchins
• Dim Sum for Everyone! by Grace Lin
• The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr
• The Kid's Cookbook: A Great Book for Kids Who Love to Cook! by Abigail Johnson Dodge