“Which teaching method do you actually use?”
It’s one of the first questions parents ask us.
When your child lives abroad — or is about to move to the Netherlands — you want certainty.
👉 Will my child fall behind?
👉 Does the level really match?
👉 Is this serious education?
In this blog, I’ll explain exactly how we work. Clearly, transparently, and with enthusiasm!
Do You Work With One Fixed Teaching Method?
The short answer: no.
We don’t follow one single textbook from cover to cover.
Instead, over the past 13 years, we have developed our own thematic teaching approach — a method that has proven successful with nearly 1,000 expat children worldwide.
And yes — everything we do is aligned with the official Dutch educational standards (kerndoelen).
Our Own Thematic Teaching Approach (And Why It Works So Well)
Children learn best when they’re curious.
That’s why we work with weekly themes that our team carefully designs and develops.
Think of themes like:
- The Fire Department
- Spring
- Baking Cookies
- Dolphins
- Animals
- Sports & Gym Class
- Outdoor Play
Every week brings a new theme. Every week sparks new motivation.
But don’t mistake this for “just a fun lesson.”
Within each theme, we integrate all core Dutch learning objectives:
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary development
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Language awareness
Everything is structured and purposeful.
It feels playful – but it is academically solid.
That combination is exactly why our students stay motivated and make real progress.
We Also Use Recognised Dutch Educational Methods
Alongside our own thematic approach, we use established Dutch teaching materials to ensure full alignment with schools in the Netherlands.
We work with materials from:
- Taal Actief
- Nieuwsbegrip
- Spelling in Beeld
- Veilig leren lezen
- Kern (for older beginners)
For children learning Dutch as a second language (NT2), we use:
We also assess students twice per year to monitor progress and level.
In other words:
✨ Intrinsic motivation
✨ Academic structure
✨ Ongoing evaluatione:
Which Children Do We Support?
We generally work with three groups of children.
1️⃣ Children Who Speak No Dutch Yet
For example, children with one Dutch parent living in India, Australia, or the US — but raised primarily in English.
These children start from zero.
We use structured NT2 methods like Diglin and build vocabulary systematically through relatable themes such as:
- In the classroom
- Outdoor play
- Sports & gym
The goal:
To help them integrate into Dutch education as smoothly and quickly as possible.
2️⃣ Children Who Speak Dutch But Are Behind
Sometimes a child is 14 years old but working at a Grade 5 level.
And that’s completely okay.
We don’t focus on age.
We focus on level.
These students work with our thematic lessons and Dutch primary school materials. Step by step, we rebuild confidence and skills.
Parents often tell us this is what matters most: that their child receives education truly tailored to their level.
3️⃣ Children Who Want to Maintain Their Level
These are children who lived in the Netherlands until age five or six and then moved abroad.
They want to stay aligned with peers in the Netherlands.
For this group, we work per grade level, align with national learning objectives, and use Cito-level benchmarks as guidance.
This ensures they can return to the Dutch school system without falling behind.Zo zorgen we ervoor dat zij zonder achterstand kunnen terugkeren naar het Nederlandse onderwijs — mocht dat ooit nodig zijn.
Can My Child Return to the Netherlands Without a Learning Gap?
Yes. Absolutely.
All teachers at Dutch for Kids hold a certified Dutch primary education degree (PABO) and have extensive classroom experience. Many still teach part-time in Dutch schools.
We work with:
- Clear learning objectives
- Biannual assessments
- Structured progression
But just as important:
Each child stays with one fixed teacher. There is trust. There is safety. There is space to talk, laugh, and play small games in between.
Serious education does not have to feel strict. It can also feel warm.
And the result?
Every student who returned to the Netherlands after learning with us was accepted into their new school.
We are incredibly proud of that.
How Dutch for Kids Began
In 2013, I started with two children in Nigeria: Sarah and Noah.
Their father was Dutch. Their mother Nigerian. The oldest spoke a little Dutch. The youngest didn’t speak any at all.
We began weekly online lessons.
Within two years, they entered the Dutch education system successfully. Later, both attended bilingual gymnasium.
That success story became the beginning of Dutch for Kids.
Since then, we have supported nearly 1,000 children. From Australia to Dubai. From Canada to Singapore.
Each child with their own story. Each child has their own starting point. And each child is welcome here.
Curious Which Approach Fits Your Child?
Whether your child:
- Is just starting with Dutch
- Is a few years behind
- Or wants to stay fully aligned with the Dutch curriculum
We always begin with one question:
Where is your child now?
Would you like us to take a look?
Schedule a trial lesson, and together we’ll discover how your child can grow confidently in Dutch.
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