Familiar words. Shared moments. A sense of belonging.

A little book for belonging.

Stic-a-Ling helps practitioners bring familiar home-language words into everyday nursery interactions. Use the pictures, the spoken phrase and a real shared moment together.

Keep this guide with the set so the whole team can use the same approach.

Ready in three steps.

Choose one useful phrase and one familiar moment.

1. 1
   Prepare

   Choose the language and page with the family in mind. Rehearse the phrase and the child’s name before the session.

2. 2
   Tap and listen

   For an audio-enabled copy, use the compatible Stic-a-Ling pen. Play the phrase once, then model it naturally with the picture.

3. 3
   Use it together

   Connect the phrase to a real action: wave, offer a teddy or greet a friend. Pause and respond warmly to the child’s choice.

A five-minute routine.

A flexible starting point for a small, comfortable group.

1. 0–1 min
   Welcome

   Show the book and greet the group. Let children look, point or sit beside a familiar adult.

2. 1–2 min
   Hear the phrase

   Show one picture. Play or model one phrase and connect it with its English meaning.

3. 2–3 min
   Offer a turn

   Invite children to wave, gesture, choose a picture or say the phrase. Watching is a valid way to join in.

4. 3–4 min
   Give it a purpose

   Greet a teddy, introduce yourself or thank a friend. Let the phrase do something useful.

5. 4–5 min
   Close warmly

   Use “Thank you”. Mention a familiar moment later in the day when the phrase can be used again.

Ten phrases. Many shared moments.

Make room for every child.

A child can take part before speaking.

Hear it. Practise it. Use it.

Listen to the whole phrase first. Copy its rhythm and vowel length, then practise once more at a natural pace. Rehearse with a fluent speaker where possible.

1. 1
   Listen before using the book

   Choose the exact recording for the page. Check that the language and phrase match.

2. 2
   Practise in a real sentence

   For “My name is…”, add your own name. Practise a greeting as you would say it to a child.

3. 3
   Keep your model natural

   Speak clearly at a comfortable volume. Invite participation and respond to meaning rather than correcting every sound.

Five language reference pages.

Language prompts are approximate. Rehearse with a fluent speaker.

One phrase. One purposeful moment.

Use this page to agree a simple plan with the team. Start with a familiar routine and adapt to the children taking part. Print this page to fill it in by hand.

Start with the family’s voice.

Families can tell you which languages, names and everyday words feel familiar. Invite their contribution in a way that suits them, without expecting them to prepare a lesson.

Three useful questions

1. 1
   Languages at home

   Which languages does your child hear and use at home?

2. 2
   Names and greetings

   How do you say your child’s name and greet them?

3. 3
   Familiar words

   Are there familiar words or local forms you would like us to use?

Notice the connection.

Use observations to improve the interaction, rather than score a child’s pronunciation.

Where this comes from.

1. [1] The Bell FoundationEAL in Early Years Settings: Guidance and Strategies
2. [2] Ministry for Ethnic Communities, New ZealandGreetings in different languages: Arabic and Punjabi audio
3. [3] University of Texas at Austin / COERLLYorùbá Yé Mi: introduction, sounds and tones
4. [4] OmniglotRomanian alphabet, pronunciation and phrase recordings