Days of the week in English explained for kids

Learning the days of the week is like unlocking a secret calendar that makes planning, singing, and storytelling even more fun! In this guide, we’ll explore the seven days of the week, what makes each one special, and how to use them in English. Whether your child is just starting out or already knows their ABCs, these songs are packed with catchy tunes, playful lyrics, and endless opportunities to practice English vocabulary.

What are the days of the week in English?

The days of the week in English are:

• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
• Saturday
• Sunday

Each day has its own rhythm and role in our weekly routine. Some are for working or studying, others are for playing or relaxing, and all are great for learning new words!

Why are there seven days in a week?

Have you ever wondered why a week has seven days? This tradition comes from ancient cultures that observed seven celestial bodies in the sky: the Sun, the Moon, and five planets visible to the naked eye. The seven-day week became popular because it aligned with the moon’s phases and has been used ever since. So, when you learn the days of the week, you’re connecting with history, astronomy, and cultures around the world!

How to say the days of the week in English

Pronouncing the days correctly can feel tricky, but it’s a great way to practice speaking English. Here’s how to say each day:

• Monday (MUN-day): Start the week with this day! It’s named after the Moon.
• Tuesday (TUEZ-day): The second day, named after the Norse god of war, Tyr.
• Wednesday (WENZ-day): Sneaky spelling alert! Even though it looks long, it’s pronounced “WENZ-day.”
• Thursday (THURZ-day): Named after Thor, the god of thunder. Can you roar like Thor?
• Friday (FRY-day): The end of the workweek for many, named after Frigg, the Norse goddess of love.
• Saturday (SAT-er-day): It’s the weekend! This day is named after Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture.
• Sunday (SUN-day): The day of rest, named after the Sun. It’s often a relaxing, happy day.

Fun ways to remember the days of the week

Learning the days of the week can be a breeze with these tips:

1. Sing the days of the week song
   Songs like “The Days of the Week Song” make it easy to remember the order. Try singing it every morning!
2. Use colors
   Assign a color to each day. For example, Monday can be blue, Tuesday can be red, and so on.
3. Make a weekly calendar
   Create a simple calendar at home and add drawings or stickers to each day. Seeing the days visually can help kids remember them better.
4. Tell a weekly story
   Make up a fun story where something exciting happens each day. For example, “On Monday, the cat found a shiny hat…”

How to use the days of the week in sentences

Now that you know the days of the week, let’s put them into action! Here are some simple sentence examples:

• On Monday, I go to school.
• Tuesday is my favorite day because we have art class.
• I play soccer every Wednesday afternoon.
• On Thursday, we visit Grandma.
• Friday is pizza night at our house!
• I sleep late on Saturday.
• Sunday is family day—we go to the park!

Practice saying these sentences or creating your own to make the days of the week part of your everyday English.

Fun facts about the days of the week

• Sunday or Monday as the first day?
  In many countries, Sunday is considered the first day of the week because of religious and historical traditions. However, in many modern workplaces and schools, the week begins with Monday to align with the start of the workweek. Both approaches are correct—it just depends on where you are!
• The origin of the word “weekend”
  The term “weekend” comes from the idea that Saturday and Sunday are the “end” of the working week. These two days have long been seen as a time to relax, spend time with family, and take a break from routine activities. Fun fact: In some cultures, only one day, like Friday or Sunday, is considered a rest day instead of two!
• Norse mythology and Roman gods in your week
  Did you know that the names of the days in English come from a mix of Norse and Roman mythology? For example, Thursday is named after Thor, the Norse god of thunder, while Saturday comes from Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture. Each day reflects a fascinating blend of history and ancient beliefs.

Learning the history and fun facts about the days of the week can make them even more exciting for kids to explore and remember!

Everyday ways to use the days of the week

Knowing the days of the week isn’t just about naming them—it’s about using them in conversations, routines, and planning. Here are some simple and practical ways kids and parents can talk about the days of the week in English:

Talking about routines

Help your child practice by talking about their daily activities. For example:

• “On Monday, you go to school.”
• “We always eat pizza on Friday.”
• “Saturday is our day to visit Grandma!”

Repeating phrases like these helps reinforce the days and their order.

Asking and answering questions

Encourage your child to practice questions and answers with the days of the week:

• “What day is it today?” – “It’s Tuesday.”
• “What’s your favorite day of the week?” – “I love Saturday because there’s no school!”

Making plans

Using days of the week to plan activities is another fun way to learn:

• “Let’s go to the park on Sunday.”
• “Can we play soccer on Thursday after school?”

This helps kids understand how to use the days in real-life situations.

Talking about yesterday, today, and tomorrow

Introduce time concepts like yesterday, today, and tomorrow:

• “Yesterday was Monday. Today is Tuesday. Tomorrow will be Wednesday.”
• “What did you do yesterday?” – “I painted a picture!”

This helps kids connect the days in a sequence and practice time-related vocabulary so they can easily remember into the future.

Make every day an English learning adventure

The days of the week aren’t just words—they’re a fun way to organize your world and talk about your routines. Whether your child is singing about Sunday or drawing pictures for Friday, they’re building confidence and growing their English skills. So grab a song, tell a story, or play a game to make learning the days of the week something to look forward to every day.

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