African Echoes: An Introduction to Nigerian Languages

Kinder / Preschool / ELC Lesson Plan – Learning Nigerian Language, Reggio Emilia philosophy

Title: “African Echoes: An Introduction to Nigerian Languages”

Age Group: Kindergarten / Preschool / Early Learning Centre (4-5 years old)

Learning Framework: Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) – Australia

Educational Approach: Reggio Emilia Method

Learning Outcomes (Based on EYLF):

1. Children have a strong sense of identity: Exposing children to different languages, such as Nigerian languages (like Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa), promotes self-awareness and multicultural understanding.
2. Children are connected with and contribute to their world: Understanding different languages enhances children’s sense of belonging to a multicultural world.
3. Children have a strong sense of wellbeing: Developing new communication skills boosts children’s confidence and resilience.
4. Children are confident and involved learners: Children develop an enthusiasm for learning and an ability to transfer and adapt what they’ve learned from one context to another.
5. Children are effective communicators: Children convey and construct messages with purpose and confidence, expanding their communication abilities.

Resources Needed:

• Nigerian language alphabet cards (Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa)
• Picture cards of common objects with names in Nigerian languages
• Audio or video clips of basic Nigerian words and phrases
• Art supplies for vocabulary cards
• Simple Nigerian children’s stories or songs (optional)

Lesson Plan:

1. Introduction to Nigerian Languages (20 minutes):

Start by introducing the concept that Nigeria has multiple languages, and focus on the three most widely spoken – Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. Share fun facts about these languages and where they are spoken. Play audio or video clips of simple words and phrases, and encourage children to listen and repeat.

2. Interactive Learning (20 minutes):

Use picture cards to teach the children common objects in the Nigerian languages. Hold up a picture and say the name of the object in Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. Engage children in matching the words to pictures and playing simple language games.

3. Art Activity: Nigerian Vocabulary Cards (20 minutes):

Provide the children with art supplies and guide them in creating their own Nigerian language vocabulary cards. Children can draw pictures related to the words they’ve learned and write the corresponding words in Hausa, Yoruba, or Igbo.

4. Story Time and Reflection (20 minutes):

If available, read a simple Nigerian children’s story or teach a Nigerian children’s song. Reflect on the lesson and discuss the importance of learning different languages and understanding diverse cultures.

Assessment:

Assess children’s engagement and participation in activities, their pronunciation of Nigerian words, their creativity in making vocabulary cards, and their understanding and appreciation of the importance of learning different languages.

Alignment with Reggio Emilia Method:

This lesson plan adheres to the Reggio Emilia philosophy, which values child-led and experiential learning. The lesson incorporates the environment as the third teacher, collaboration, and cross-disciplinary learning.

Link to EYLF:

The lesson addresses all five outcomes of the EYLF, promoting a sense of identity, wellbeing, effective communication, and encouraging confident learning, and building connections with the world.