Tips for running a club session

​ADD MUSIC AND MOVEMENTS
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Add some music and movement to the club at any point you want, even if it is not indicated in the club guidance. Music and dance is a great way to assist language learning and engage children. Before the club look up songs related to the theme and have play list ready. If you don’t know the moves to the song, try searching on YouTube before the club.  
If there is not thematically related music in your language, use whatever music you find. You can repeat the same every time, this can help build children’s confidence when they all know the song.  
 
WORDS OF THE DAY WORKSEET
 
During each club, give parents and children a daily worksheet. Together they can draw and write the words of the day on the sheet to take home as a reminder of what they have learnt. This is also a great way to engage older children during the club as they are usually keen to practice writing the words.  
If you write any of the words on a board etc. during the club, make sure to use CAPIITAL letters as children start by learning capitals.  
 
 
DISPLAYING ARTWORK/CRAFTS

If you are making any art/craft during the club, make sure to hang them up so everyone can see. This builds a sense of doing things together and helps children take pride in their work. Remember to remind children to take their artwork at the end of the club.  
 
GIVE PRAISE

Give children praise during the clubs and encourage everyone to clap and cheer for each other’s accomplishments.   
 

TIDYING UP TOGETHER

After each activity, tidy up together, this builds a sense of doing things together and responsibility for the space. If there is a “tidy up” song in your language, make a habit of singing it. If there isn’t, make one up for your club!  
 
SNACK BREAK IS A GREAT TIME TO LEARN TOGETHER

Have the snack break in a separate area as the club activities is possible. Snack time is a great time for active learning, parents can ask children what they have, talk about tastes, colors, smells or just let the children interact with each other. This is a nice time for parents to grab a cup or coffee or tea and have a chat. Seeing and hearing parents talk in their language is also important for language learning and identity development.