What better way to help your child learn German than to build a dictionary with them!

Now, if I were to do this in English, I would just provide my daughter with the letter page and then we would search through magazines to find things that start with each letter.

But, since she is newer to German, she doesn't have the vocabulary to do that. Instead, I created these alphabet cards with 3-5 things for each letter. That was harder than I thought it would be when I first began, because there aren't any native words for the letters C and X, and very few for some other letters. For C, I found enough more commonly used words that work, even if they weren't native. For X, however, I only found the word "Xylophon (xylophone)". I did add a card in with the word "Hexe (witch)" so that you can still explain the sound that X makes, or you can use it for the letter H.

To do this activity, download and print out the alphabet pages and the word cards. If your child is old enough, you can have them cut out the cards, otherwise cut them out for them. I cut out 3-4 letters worth of cards at a time, so it wouldn't be too confusing. Provide the child with the A sheet and 3-4 letters worth of cards. Read each of the words with the child. Have them repeat the word and then ask 'Beginnt der Apfel (or whichever word) mit "A"?' I really try to only use German when we work on the dictionary.

When the child finds a word that begins with the letter in question, have them glue it onto the page. Then, they can trace and then write out the letter on the line if you or they wish. You can do a letter everyday or combine with other letter activities to do one every week.

When you're all finished, your child will have their own dictionary to go back and look words up in. Something that they created, which makes it ever so much more personal! Enjoy! >> Download the Letter Pages & Word Cards! <<

Note: when you print out the cards, please note that there are some cards mixed in at the end of other letters where there was extra space. Particularly the two lines at the end.

Each link is a PDF download. You will need Adobe Acrobat to download and use them.

These are kid safe songs and videos in German. Most of them are on YouTube, so if there are any copyright issues, they might disappear. Please let me know if any of the links are dead (or if they turn out to not be so kid friendly, but I think they are) - or if you have any to add, email me and I will add them!! Thank you!

from Ki.Ka

Tom und das Erdbeermarmeladebrot mit Honig: a choose your own adventure!

Fun Kids Games

Sendung Mit Die Maus on how legos are made

Die Kleine Raupe Nimmersatt -The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Piggeldy & Frederick - Der Himmel

Piggeldy und Frederick - Die Wuerstchen

Piggeldy und Frederick - Die Blume

Maus auf dem Mars

Kleiner Koenig Kalle Wirsch - Die Falle

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Sesamstrasse

Ernie und Bert - Fischlein

Ernies Quietscheentchenlied

Kruemelmonster - Kekse Isst Man Nur Ab Und Zu - Cookie Monster!

Kruemmelmonster und Monsterkruemmel

Kruemelmonster Schreibt Einen Brief An Seinen Lieblingskeks

Ernie und Kruemelmonster

Kruemel und Lulatsch erklaeren "Hier und Da"

Pelzig und Blau

Hoeren zu den Glocken

Weg mit dem Entchen

Taube

Ernie Geht Baden

Keine Freunde

Telefonrock

Der Elefantfahrstuhlfuehreraufzugsleiter

Grobi als Ober - Zwei Ober - Grobi heisst Grover als Englisch

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Lieder

Tierschutz in der Schule

Regenbogen

Hakuna Matata (German)

Das Kinderlied vom kleinen Fisch

I think the hardest thing that I'm dealing with, in teaching my daughter German, is teaching the vocabulary- the nouns, mainly. I feel like if we have the nouns, then I can teach her the verbs and adverbs just by speaking about what she's doing. But, she's much too young to be drilling in vocabulary, so I am looking for creative ways to help her learn the vocaulary. What better way to do that than with arts and crafts and fun?! These are very simple, and open-ended coloring sheets that I have created. Each item is labeled with a clear font for reading and for tracing to help support your discussions with your child. Enjoy!

Each link is a PDF download. You will need Adobe Acrobat to download and use them.

Weinachts

Glocken

Red Cardinal

Stocking

Glass Ball Ornament

Christmas Tree

Halloween

Pumpkin

Ostern

Bunny With Eggs

Easter Bunny

Easter Egg

Thanksgiving

Cornucopia

The German Way: Language and Culture in Germany, Austria & Switzerland

German For Travellers: a guide to culture and ettiquitte

Christmas In Germany

Halloween Resource Guide for Teaching in German: from our partner site: ArtistryCreates.

Free Children's Games: Bingo and other kid friendly games!

5 German Songs: really repetitive songs to learn a few phrases fast! GenkiGerman

German Readers: a whole bunch of cute readers with simple German and really clear pictures.

Free Downloadable Books in German: from project Gutenberg

German Learning Printables: from Enchanted Learning

English-German Picture Dictionary: with words in German and in English.

Political Map of Germany

Max & Moritz an online version, with quizzes too!

Alphabet Garten Blog: A seller of German books (for affordable prices) has an awesome blog about teaching your child German with a focus on homeschooling

Traditional German Children's Songs: with midis or videos from youtube to help you learn the tune.

Printable Worksheets For Learning German

More Printable Worksheets for Learning German: Wall To Wall German