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Learning through creativity is much more effective than cramming. A simple example is English and drawing. Paper and pencils will help your child learn a new language faster and make the lessons more fun. Skyeng online school experts tell you how and why to use this method in your studies.
Drawing develops speech
Surprisingly, the two actions are indeed connected. In our brain, the centers responsible for speech and fine motor skills are located nearby. Therefore, drawing during the lesson, the kid develops not only finger dexterity, but also speaking skills. Things will go even faster if the child talks about what he draws – of course, in English.
Visualization speeds up the memorization of words
This principle is also used in adult education. It is much easier for us to remember any information if it is visualized. That is why infographics are so often used in the media and presentations, and illustrations can be found even in university textbooks. The word “cow” is much easier to remember if a cow is drawn next to it. And if you draw a cow yourself, the word will definitely remain in your memory forever.
In English lessons, you can draw not only pictures for new words, but also entire comics – this is how verbs and tenses are taught.
By drawing, we create context
When a baby learns to speak, he does not memorize vocabulary, but memorizes words precisely by the associative method: they are associated in the mind with certain actions, things and emotions. Out of context, it is very difficult to remember a word, but a picture can become such a context. For example, when studying the topic “food”, you can ask the child to draw a table with their favorite dishes and sign each of them.
Drawing helps you relax
The younger the child, the more difficult it is for him to concentrate on one lesson for a long time. Even in adults, the resource of concentration is only 40-50 minutes. Babies lose the thread after 5-8 minutes. Drawing allows you to switch to something new without interrupting the lesson and keep your interest in the lesson.
How to use drawing in English lessons
- Invite the child to draw an illustration for a new word – to depict a cat, a house, an apple or an airplane. Gradually, tasks can be complicated – to draw not just an apple, but a girl with an apple.
- Draw entire series to illustrate abstract concepts. For example, seasons or emotions – a company of sad, funny or surprised people.
- For vocabulary that involves linear memorization (months of the year, days of the week, numbers), you can draw a train, each trailer of which “carries” the right word.
- Use coloring pages – they are very convenient to learn the names of colors and memorize vocabulary on certain topics: animals, furniture, professions.
- Ask your child to draw a picture, and then describe in English what is shown on it.
- It is even more interesting (but also more difficult) to draw according to the description. For example, offer to draw a fairy-tale monster (“This monster has two eyes, five legs and eight ears”) or draw hands on empty dials that show a specific time.