Family Guide — Session 3: Family at Home

A one-page guide for parents, after-school caregivers, or co-teachers. Plain English. No teaching experience required.

What we learned today

Your child can now name the people in their family in Arabic:

They also met the letter ت (ta) — the third letter of the Arabic alphabet — and traced it on paper. (Bonus: teta starts with ت!)

Why this matters

Family words are the second most-used words in any kid's life (right after greetings). Your child already says "mama" and "baba" — what's new is hearing teta, jiddu, akh, ukht as a real system, and starting to use these words instead of the English ones at home. Every time they call out "ماما!" instead of "Mom!" — that's a tiny win, and it adds up fast.

We chose Levantine words on purpose: teta and jiddu are what kids actually say in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan. If your family uses different words (sittu, jaddi, nonna, bibi) — those are right too. Tell your child. Family words belong to families.

What to do this evening (3 minutes total)

1. At dinner, point to each person and name them in Arabic:

"هادا بابا. هادي ماما. وهادا أَخوكي!" (Hada baba. Hadi mama. W hada akhooki! = "This is papa. This is mama. And this is your brother!")

Even if it's just you and your child, name the missing people too: "Teta is in her house. Jiddu is at work."

2. Call or video a grandparent. Have your child say:

"مَرحَبا تيتا!" or "مَرحَبا جِدُّو!"

Watch the grandparent melt. That's the whole lesson, right there.

3. At bedtime, ask:

"Who's in our عَيلة?"

Let them list everyone. Mix Arabic and English — that's normal and good.

What to do this week (5 minutes total)

Pick one:

• Make a family photo wall. Print or draw six faces. Label each with the Arabic word. Stick it where your child sees it daily — fridge, bathroom mirror, bedroom door.
• Play "who's this?" Flip through your phone photos. For each person, your child says mama, baba, teta, jiddu, akh, or ukht. Fast round = giggles.
• Send a voice note to a relative. Have your child say "مَرحَبا، أنا بحِبَّك!" (Marhaba, ana b'hibbak! = "Hi, I love you!") to teta, jiddu, an aunt, a cousin.
• Draw your family tree. Just six bubbles. Write the Arabic word in each. Your child can decorate. Hang it up.

If you don't know Arabic yourself

You can absolutely do this one. Family words are some of the easiest Arabic to use because you already know who everyone is.

• Start calling yourself "mama" or "baba" in Arabic. Just swap the word. "Mama's making dinner!" becomes the same sentence — your kid hears it twenty times a day.
• Let your child be the expert. Ask them, "How do I say grandma again?" Kids love correcting parents. Lean into it.
• Don't worry about akh vs. ukht. The kh sound is a throat sound (like clearing your throat gently). Your child will get it before you do. That's fine.

If you're a heritage Arabic speaker

• Use the dialect your family actually speaks. If you say sittu instead of teta, or yuba instead of baba — use yours. Tell your child both exist. That's a gift.
• Stop translating. When your child says "I want juice," respond in Arabic if that's natural for you. The shift from English-default to Arabic-sprinkled happens at home, not in class.
• Name the extended family. Khalo (uncle, mom's side), 'ammo (uncle, dad's side), khalto, 'ammto — your child will ask. Be ready.

What's coming next session

Session 4: How Are You? (كيفك؟) — Your child learns to ask and answer "how are you?" in Levantine Arabic, plus the letter ث (tha).

Materials needed: nothing new. Just bring this folder.

Questions or struggles?

Email: dabagh_safaa@smc.edu Or visit: https://learnwithoutwalls.com

Yalla Arabic · Family Guide · Session 3