10 Essential Arabic-Language Products For Kids in School
BY: Nadine Ismail/Ambassador Blogger
The back-to-school season is here, which brings its own challenges and a new routine. As a parent, I want to establish a routine that is reliable and easy to follow for my Arab American child. It is very important to include Arabic-language school supplies in this routine, as it emphasizes the use of the Arabic language in daily life. You want to start making it a habit by speaking it, using it and always making it fun. I talk about this in details in my previous article about teaching Arabic to kids.
Here is a list of the 10 best Arabic-language products to help get your child in the groove of a new school year. These products are ranked by how useful they are to the “Back to School” routine. I have used and tested all of them and found this list to be the most helpful in the Arabic learning process.
1. The First Day of School – أول يوم مدرسة
The First Day of School is by Taghreed AlNajjar, one of my favorite authors of children’s books, and illustrated by Amal Saqr. The First Day of School is about a little girl named Raneem who has fears about going to school for the first time, but learned that it is a fun place. This book is also great for any child feeling anxious about going back to school.
2. Noor and the School Supplies, Arabic Felt Story
This video produced by Arabic Playground is about Noor’s trip buying school supplies. The video is also useful because it is supplemented with a book and an entire range of online products that cover different vocabulary, spelling, and writing topics.
3. School Flashcards
This Arabic Playground digital printable product contains 18 school flashcards with pictures, words, and combined pictures and words. These flashcards cover things and people we see in a school setting. Your child will need to know these words to answer general discussions about his/her school day. Make your flashcards durable and professional with these tips that can make them last longer.
4. School Supplies Flashcards
This Arabic Playground digital printable product contains 16 school supplies flashcards with pictures, words and combined pictures and words. Click here to see the different ways the flashcards can be used.
5. School Bingo Game
This Arabic Playground digital printable product reinforces the learned school words in a game setting. This is a great game to play on Friday family nights to help keep learning a fun part of the routine.
6. Who Will Go To School Today? – من سيذهب إلى المدرسة اليوم؟
Who Will Go To School Today is about Sami, a little boy who discovers that staying home and skipping school is not as fun as he thought.
7. My Stickers Book: At School
Kids love stickers! Organize a fun activity around these school stickers and practice saying the words in Arabic. Make your own dictionary using these stickers and practice writing the words in Arabic.
8. First day at School – إفتح يا سمسم: أول يوم في المدرسة
Iftah Ya Simsim is the Arabic version of Sesame Street. The episode called “First Day at School” is fun to watch, but it is geared more towards native Arabic speakers. Watch it with your child several times and explain what is happening. Little by little, you will be surprised by how much kids can pick up from the program.
9. Something I can not live without – شيء لا أستغني عنه
Something I Can Not Live Without by Laila Saya and illustrated by Nadine Sidani is about how a little girl’s life changes when she goes to school. It is particularly educational because it uses the method of repetition and embedded flashcards to teach the readers new vocabulary. This book is like having a mini dictionary within a story.
10. Days of the Week Song
This Arabian Sinbad video teaches kids the days of the week in Arabic, which is perfect for keeping them right on track when it is time to go back to school.
I have created this playlist on YouTube with all the above-mentioned “Back to School” videos for easy access.
Let me know if you tried any of my suggestions and how it worked for you. Do you have other products in Arabic to suggest? Do you want me to review your product? You can reach out to Nadine Ismail on Facebook at “Reinventing Nadine” or Instagram @ReinventingNadine
Nadine Ismail of Reinventing Nadine is a blogger living in the Bay Area in California. Nadine shares on her blog and Instagram account her recipes, crafts and embroidery tutorials, and parental advice, especially raising a bilingual child.
Find more articles on learning and teaching Arabic by Nadine Ismail here.
