Parents often ask me to suggest English learning websites suitable for their very young children .
I often use UpToTen with my 4 year old bilingual son.
He loves it! It keeps him involved and motivated in thinking in English as well as practicing his computer skills. The site contains very engaging and unique games, songs and activities . Check it out!
Miranda’s ESL DRAMA -WARM UP
You will need: Pop music
This is a very simple warm up , listening and concentration exercise but great fun for everyone. I usually start every lesson with this one. You should actively take part at least initially in this game in order to verbally and physically demonstrate to the children what you want them to do. Instruct everyone to:
– Stand up
– Sit down
– Walk
– Hop
– Jump
– Sit down
– Lay down
– Sit up
– Stand up
– Wiggle (dance the twist)
– Fly
– Swim
– Drive a car (beep beep)
– Clap
– Cheer
– Say hello (wave)
– Spin around
Repeat and change all the action words until the children start associating the verbal instruction with the correct physical action.
Variations:
1. Go round the circle and indicate to everyone which child is a boy or girl. Play the game again this time Instruct “only the girls” or “only the boys” to do a movement or “everyone” in unison
2.For children ages 5+ Simon Says becomes a natural follow on game
The Teddy Bear Song
Here is lovely chant that works well with very young children. Ask the children to bring to class their own teddy bear or cuddly toy to do the song with ( have a few extras in case some children forget)
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Turn around (turn around)
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Touch the ground (touch the ground)
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Tie your shoe (hit your shoe)
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
How old are you?
1-2-3-4 ………
ESL Drama Games 