If you are raising kids abroad, you know the juggle: how do you keep them feeling connected to the culture and family back home? The language, Marathi, is the biggest piece of that puzzle. It is not just about vocabulary; it is about those warm conversations with grandparents, the family jokes, and truly belonging.
But let’s be honest, getting a busy kid interested in a new language, especially one spoken far away, can feel like pulling teeth. We need to make it fun, simple, and relevant.
Here are five practical ways to bring the joy of Marathi into your child’s life without the heavy lifting:
1. Let Stories and Songs Do the Work
Kids are natural sponges for stories and music. Ditch the boring textbooks and look for fun Marathi resources. Find colourful picture books of simple Marathi tales or even traditional fables. Rhymes are the best secret weapon—they are incredibly catchy and stick in a child’s brain far longer than flashcards. Sing those songs together, even if you are out of tune! When learning feels like playtime, they do not even realise they are studying.
2. Weave Marathi into Your Daily Chaos
You do not need an hour set aside every evening. The easiest way to teach is to sprinkle Marathi into your everyday life. When you are making dinner, name the veggies in Marathi. If you are tidying up, describe the actions or colours in the language. Use simple, high-frequency phrases all the time, like asking “Did you eat?” (Jevlis ka?) or saying “Give me water” (Paani de). These little moments of consistent exposure make the language feel normal, not like a homework assignment.
3. Use Technology Smartly (Screen Time with a Purpose)
We are all managing screen time, so why not use it to your advantage? Look for educational Marathi apps with games and simple puzzles. There are loads of YouTube channels with fun Marathi cartoons and songs designed for kids. Just make sure the content is age appropriate and interactive. Using a tablet for five minutes to play a Marathi vocabulary game is far more effective than forcing them to read a complex passage.
4. Turn Family Chats into Language Practice
This is the big one. The best incentive for a child is the genuine need to connect. Encourage them to talk to their grandparents or cousins in India, even if it is just a simple “Hello” or “Thank you” in Marathi. When they see that the language is the key to understanding a story or making their Ajoba or Aaji laugh, the motivation shoots up. Video calls are the perfect classroom—it shows them why they are learning and instantly deepens those precious family connections.
5. Taste and Celebrate the Culture
Language is not just words; it is the flavour of a culture. When you celebrate festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, talk about what the celebration means in Marathi. Cook up some traditional puran poli or vada pav together, naming the steps and spices in the language. Watch a fun Marathi movie or listen to some regional music. When you embed the language in joyful cultural experiences, you are giving your child roots that they will cherish.
At Speak Marathi, we get how vital this connection is. We offer one on one customised spoken Marathi classes that are specially designed for NRI and foreign students. Our focus is helping your kids—and even you—be able to chat naturally with family back home, whether it is your in laws, grandparents, or extended cousins. We believe that learning the language is the simplest, most powerful way to strengthen your family bonds.
Want to see how fun and effective our approach is? We would love to show you.
Book a free demo session today and take the first easy step toward connecting your child to their Marathi roots.