Learning Adjectives

The Malay Language that the children learn in school today is not as easy as what we learnt many years ago. Although it is more similar to English compared to Chinese as in the Malay words are formed using alphabets rather than strokes, it is not as simple when it comes to grammar, especially verbs.

My friend has been telling me to watch out and so, I try to put in some extra effort to teach my son this “feared and disliked by many” language.

One day, my friend and I decided to teach our children (both of the same age) adjectives. I printed some pictures and words (adjectives) and placed all of them on the table. We started the MATCHING GAME.

“Which adjectives can best describe this picture?” I started and allowed the children to pick up words (adjectives) that describe the picture. At times, I had to give them some clues. One by one the adjectives were matched and eventually the game was over.

Then, we started another session – THE STORY CREATING GAME.

We told the children that we would create a silly story out of these pictures and the rule was to use the adjectives learnt and each one would make one to two sentences and stop while the next person would continue the story from there.

Boy, we had a good laugh! The children CAN create silly stories.

We then proceeded to – THE STATUE DANCE.

I made the children walk in a big circle and when I say stop, I would shout out an adjective. Each one of them would then make a sentence with that adjective. After making a sentence, they have to walk again and the game continues. What the children like about this game is the suspense of when to stop and what adjective is given.

With this, we ended the session hoping that the children would remember their adjectives by recalling the activities they have enjoyed.