7 Steps to Teach Your Child Nepali at Home

Learningnepalikids

1. Use the Language Every Day

Speak to your child in Nepali every day, even when it feels tempting to switch to English at home. You might even create a simple house rule: Nepali only at home. Daily exposure is the most powerful way children learn a language.

2. Make It Fun and Play-Based

Children learn best through play. Turn language learning into games:

  • Play retrieval games where you name items in Nepali and your child has to go and get them.
  • Stick pictures, letters, or words on the wall and call them out for your child to run to.
  • Label objects around the house in Nepali.
    Fun, movement, and repetition help language stick naturally.

3. Model, Don’t Correct

When your child makes a mistake, avoid direct correction. Instead, model the correct sentence naturally.
For example, if your child says something incorrectly, repeat it back the right way in a positive tone. This helps them learn without feeling discouraged.

4. Create Real Reasons to Use the Language

Give your child meaningful reasons to use Nepali beyond your home. This could include:

  • Visiting family members who primarily speak Nepali (Bajay, Boujus, relatives).
  • Preparing for an upcoming holiday to Nepal.
    When children see a real purpose for the language, their motivation grows.

5. Read Aloud to Your Children

Reading together builds vocabulary and confidence.

  • LiteracyCloud offers a brilliant collection of free Nepali eBooks for children at different reading levels.
  • Mantra Lingua has a good selection of bilingual Nepali books.
    Reading aloud regularly helps children connect spoken and written Nepali.

6. Use Songs, Audiobooks, and Cartoons

Make use of multimedia resources:

  • Nepali songs and rhymes
  • Audiobooks
  • Cartoons and children’s shows
    Free platforms like YouTube can be excellent tools when used intentionally and in moderation.

7. Be Patient, Consistent, and Encouraging

This is the most important step. Learning a language takes time.

  • Be patient with mistakes.
  • Stay consistent with exposure.
  • Encourage every effort your child makes.
    Your positive attitude as a parent will make all the difference in helping your child learn Nepali at home.