The Kindergarten Dual Language (KDL) Pathway at American School of The Hague (ASH) offers students an immersive, playful approach to language learning, allowing them to experience the magic of both Dutch and English through creativity and imagination. Recently, students were transported into a crossover-parallel universe where their favorite characters, like Gerald from *Elephant and Piggie* and Trixie from *Knuffle Bunny*, came to life. Faced with a fun challenge—helping these characters learn Dutch so they can read and write to each other—the students embraced the task of becoming language mentors. Even Pigeon, another beloved character, joined the class to observe and pick up on important Dutch lessons.

 

This imaginative storyline, designed by KDL teacher Ms. Claire Bartstra, was ingeniously crafted to keep students engaged and motivated to learn Dutch. New to ASH this year, Ms. Claire brings a wealth of experience in play-based curriculum, along with an international upbringing that fuels her passion for innovative teaching. By combining storytelling, role-play, and hands-on activities, she creates a vibrant learning environment where students explore language through creativity and active participation. "Play is a superpower in teaching young children! Learning through play and hands-on experiences is crucial for young children because it aligns with their natural way of exploring and understanding the world”, Claire says.

 

The project has been unfolding through a lively exchange of fictional letters between Mo Williams and the students. "I've always loved English picture books, especially those by Mo Willems, and how he creates books that enhance children's reading enjoyment. While reviewing Dutch teaching methods and their associated books, I noticed they didn't resonate with the children I was teaching.”, shares Claire, "The vocabulary was often too extensive and failed to capture their imagination. Suddenly, an idea struck me: Why not incorporate these beloved characters into the Dutch learning journey?” Each letter they receive presents a new, exciting mission or assignment, helping students discover key elements of the Dutch language in an engaging and enjoyable way. For example, students have picked up fun Dutch postal terms like de kaart (the card) and de postzegel (the stamp).

 

Through the power of play and imagination, students in the KDL Pathway are not just learning a language—they're discovering how to connect with the world around them in meaningful, creative ways. “We've been truly amazed by the progress our students are making. The children aren't just memorizing words; they're actively using Dutch words during their play or solving problems. We've even seen them tackling math problems by counting in Dutch!” says Claire. “We've also observed a significant increase in confidence when speaking Dutch, with students eagerly trying out new phrases, even those who were initially hesitant.”

 

At ASH, the Dual Language Pathway provides a unique opportunity for local and international families who want to plant roots in the Netherlands while maintaining a global outlook for their children. In the early years, instruction is primarily in Dutch, offering students a rich immersion into the language and their local community. Over time, the program gradually integrates English, ensuring that students develop strong literacy skills in both languages in a seamless, engaging way.