Many parents want their children to grow up speaking Gujarati, but what if you understand Gujarati well, yet struggle to speak it yourself? You’re not alone. This is a common situation for second-generation families, and the good news is: you can still raise a child who speaks Gujarati.

Why This Challenge Happens

• Generational shift: You may have grown up hearing Gujarati from your parents or grandparents but used English at school.

• Confidence gap: You understand meaning, but forming sentences feels slow or awkward.

• Perfection trap: Parents sometimes avoid speaking for fear of making mistakes.

The truth is, your child doesn’t need “perfect” Gujarati from you. They need consistency, exposure, and encouragement.

5 Practical Ways to Teach Gujarati

1. Speak What You Know — Consistently

Even if it’s just a few phrases, use them daily. Repetition is powerful.

Examples:

• “બેસો” (beso – sit down)

• “ખાઓ” (khāo – eat)

• “પાણી” (pāṇī – water)

Your child learns from hearing the same words in natural settings.

2. Narrate in Gujarati + English

If you know the Gujarati word, use it. If not, continue in English. Over time, you’ll learn together.

Example at the park:

• “જુઓ, આ બર્ડ છે.” (Juō, ā bird che. – Look, this is a bird.)

• “તે ઊડી રહ્યો છે.” (Te ūḍī rahyo che. – It is flying.)

This shows your child that Gujarati is part of normal speech, even when mixed.

Learn Together With Your Child

Turn the challenge into teamwork. Use flashcards, storybooks, or screen-free toys like the Gujarati Pad to explore vocabulary side by side. Kids love when parents say, “Let’s learn this together.”

4. Involve Fluent Relatives or Community

Grandparents, cousins, or family friends can be invaluable. Encourage them to speak only Gujarati with your child. Even short weekly calls can build confidence.

5. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

If your child replies in Gujarati, celebrate it, even if the grammar isn’t perfect. When you respond with joy, your child feels encouraged to keep trying.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need flawless Gujarati to give your child the gift of the language. By using the words you know, mixing English when needed, learning alongside your child, and involving community support, you create an environment where Gujarati feels alive and natural.

Over time, you’ll improve together, and your child will carry the language forward with confidence.

👉 Ready to make Gujarati playful? Explore our Gujarati Pad and Dikku the Gujarati Elephant — screen-free companions designed to help families just like yours.