Listen to Japanese audio books with your child each day. If the CD comes with an accompanying book, look at the book with your child as you listen to the audio portion. Repeat key words and phrases with your child and practice saying them. Your child will learn to pronounce the words as well as recognize them through repeated listening.
Look at Japanese learning websites with your child. Read about Japanese culture, and practice online Japanese using flash cards to give the child a well-rounded experience. Reading will help your child learn to recognize written Japanese characters.
Sing Japanese songs to your child. You can download Japanese learning music online or purchase a CD to listen to during car rides. Listen and sing the words with your child each day. Your child will quickly begin to learn the words to the song. When you finish listening to the music, ask your child which words are memorable from the song and talk about what the words mean.
Select a Japanese teaching video to watch with your child. Some parents prefer a more visual learning method to use with their children, so choose a Japanese learning DVD to add variety to your child's learning. Japanese teaching videos feature vocabulary and phrases, but also encourage the child to respond to questions and begin to form their own phrases and sentences in Japanese. To get the most out of a movie, watch the film with your child and ask questions throughout. Also, remind your child of the vocabulary just learned and include quizzes on new words throughout the day.
Label items in your house in Japanese. Write the Japanese word for an item on a small index card and tape it in a place your child will see it. For example, you can label your chairs, tables, doors and windows with the appropriate Japanese word. Include both the character and the English pronunciation for your child. If your child is not old enough to read, pronounce the word aloud each time the child passes a labeled item. This will enhance character recognition.