English for little ones. English for children: learning principles

2017-06-07

Hello to one and all! My dears, I continue to form useful information and materials on such an important area for many as English for children. And there’s already a lot... So I decided to collect everything in an organized warehouse! (Or maybe a treasure :-)), so that everyone can look there and find what they need for themselves and their children.

This page of my website is the address of the location of this warehouse. It contains (and continues to collect) all necessary materials By English language, which will be useful to the smallest representatives of the human race)) (2-7 years old, and even older), their parents or teachers. Here are my materials, and there are those that I found on the Internet, chose the best and present to you here. English can be interesting, free and accessible to every child!

By the way, be sure to voice your questions or suggestions for materials in the comments. Let's improve the treasure together!

Content:

Remember that the basic principles of teaching “young students” are brightness, interest and only playful form! So here everything is exactly like that - memorable and fascinating video English lessons, bright educational cartoons, game ideas, cards and pictures, songs and rhymes - everything that will allow you to plunge into the world of English with your baby!

By the way, many materials are suitable not only for those who are starting to plunge into the world of language from scratch, but also for those who are older! Such children can even use materials independently, listening, watching and repeating.

Always seek emotional involvement on your part and then the child’s passion for the subject will not take long to occur.

My tips and recommendations

One very serious mother once asked me a question: “Tell me how to teach English to my 3-year-old year old son? What’s the best way to structure a lesson... and in general, where to start?” I answered her: “Start with this - forget the word “teach”, “lesson” and the like! And remember the words "games, fun and bright pictures"!

Books and textbooks

There are some parents who believe that in the age modern technologies the book can be replaced with various convenient devices. And I say - no! A book is something that will never go out of style and will forever remain best friend any child! Especially when it comes to learning a new language.

If your child is already 4 years old and you want him to learn English not only with the help of songs and cartoons, it’s time to buy good book which will become for him best assistant and a guide to the world of language . ABOUT good options books and textbooks for children I say here:

Numbers and numbers (1-10, 11-20)

One spoon... two spoons... three spoons! How familiar this is to our children! After all, they hear numbers almost from birth. That's probably why this topic It’s especially easy for kids!

Numbers and numbers...What a broad topic! But very young students don’t need to know all the numbers—they only need to learn 10 numbers! It's so easy - after all, there are 10 fingers on your hands! On your feet too! And in general, you can count anything around you - toys, books, adults and even seconds...

But if you want more, you can go up to 20!

Alphabet

Some people believe that a child should be taught English exclusively starting with the alphabet. This is a big misconception when it comes to children 3-4-5 years old! Children learn a foreign language without any problems without even knowing the letters. After all, they understand Russian somehow already at 1-2 years old!))

But nevertheless, one day the moment comes when you get to know in English letters already worth it. For example, before school - to be fully prepared, as they say. Or if the baby himself shows interest in them.

My daughter knew all Russian letters (by appearance and corresponding sound) at 2 years of age. We were ready to learn English letters at 4!

And here they come to the rescue different ways approach to this insidious English alphabet)). I talk about these methods in my article:

There with help songs, videos, cards, sounds, games and rhymes You can learn the alphabet very quickly.

Words for children by topic

It is with words that every child’s acquaintance with the English language begins! He must hear and see them! And this - warp on initial stages. But seeing does not mean looking at the written word! Every new word heard should form an image and picture in the child’s head. This is how he begins to see him! And only then will the child try to pronounce the learned words himself.

I have prepared for you a selection of the most popular words for children , and also small thematic collections . Each word is voiced, translated and has a picture. Besides this, you can download cards with words to print, cut them out and work. It is very convenient and practical.

Words on the topic of family

Words about animals

Words on the topic of fruits and vegetables

Words about home

Words about food

Words on the topic of clothing

Words on the topic of profession

Colors in English

Pink became an even more favorite color for my daughter when she was introduced to it in the context of the English language. After that, “pink” was heard from her lips wherever she encountered pink objects))

Colors in English are kids' favorite theme which comes very easily to them. A child is able to remember even 10 colors within 2-3 days. To do this you need to present these bright words"on a silver platter")). And to do this, just go here:

Cartoons

Needless to say, cartoons today are one of the favorite entertainments of all children and teenagers. Some children manage to watch them all day long, and some parents manage to allow it!

I think this type of entertainment is for a child must be strictly limited. And of course, if you watch cartoons, then they should be useful and meaningful. Do you agree? And this is especially true if we are talking about cartoons in English . They can become completely unobtrusive but at the same time extremely effective English lessons that the child will perceive as fun! He may not even realize that he is thereby learning a foreign language!

I have selected the best, in my opinion, cartoons for children. Please note that such cartoons are divided into those with Russian comments and those only in English! I recommend Children under 4 years old should watch exclusively English cartoons without a single Russian word. . They will understand everything. Watch, learn and enjoy!

Educational video lessons

Here you also need to understand that very young children (up to 3-4 years old) do not need to listen to explanations in Russian - just watch English-language videos with bright pictures - they will be able to understand everything! The main thing is that you like the video and arouse interest. Choose:

Songs and Video songs

Beautiful combination of rhyme and melody always gives a wonderful effect in the process of learning and memorizing something!

In addition to cartoons and educational videos (which also included a lot of songs), I offer you 2 more of my notes with materials for children. In the first there are video songs, in the second there are simply songs with an attached translation into Russian:

Games

Play and learn essentially two identical words, because nothing gives such results in learning as the game form of any classes and any activity.

I have talked about games in English for kids more than once on the pages of my blog. And this topic is far from closed. IN still in the process of preparation large number materials, which parents and teachers will soon be able to use for their very young charges.

And now you can familiarize yourself with these.

The philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein argued: a person's world is what his language is. Studying foreign language influences thinking processes, features of consciousness. We study a foreign language in order to build a successful career, move to a permanent place of residence in another country; or because we enjoy learning about another culture. When we teach a child English, we thereby reveal all these possibilities to him - with the only difference that this happens ahead of time, one and a half to two decades earlier than his beginning. adult life. With knowledge of English it is much easier to build a career; and if the desire arises, then change your destiny by moving to another country. – this is the key to many doors of their future.

Why should a child learn English?

For what other reasons English for children is the best method intellectual development?

• The age range from 4 to 6 years is considered sensitive in relation to learning a foreign language. This means that learning English for children at this age is much easier. The phonetics of the native language have already been mastered, so there is no risk of “mixing” the two languages. Kids don't just learn English; they "absorb" it. If mom calls a spoon “the spoon,” this means that this is what this item is called. The child does not need to learn anything additional; the information settles in the unconscious in blocks. It is especially useful to master at an early age, because then there will be no difficulties with it at school.
• Children learning a foreign language have better concentration abilities. A child who speaks a foreign language (in particular, English) is distinguished by the ability to better understand phenomena and delve into their details. For example, coming to new team, the child will quickly grasp the essence of relationships between other children. Funny stories in foreign languages, interesting exercises– all this develops the baby’s ability to concentrate.
• One of the main difficulties in learning English for adults is that they transfer already familiar grammatical structures of their native language into a foreign language - as if using tracing paper. Children have not yet developed such stereotypes. Therefore, English for a child is a completely new sign system, he does not compare its grammar with the phrases of his native language, but assimilates it “with clean slate" He develops a “feeling” of foreign speech. Psychologists recommend that children start learning English from scratch at the age of 4-5. Already from this age you can start playing with your child simple games in a foreign language, learn with your child, master.
• In addition, the baby develops intellectually and learns to think differently. Children who learn a foreign language adapt better to an unusual environment; they are more flexible and relaxed in communication. Teaching English is one of the most highly intellectual types of workload for human brain. English for kids is not just rote learning of new vocabulary and grammar; this is embedding new system concepts that support the functioning of the developing brain at a high level.

English for children: learning principles

There are no children who are incapable of learning a foreign language. Every child in childhood spends titanic work on mastering their native language. Therefore, they are not fundamentally new area knowledge - compared, for example, with learning to write or arithmetic. A child who has learned to communicate native language, V equally Potentially able to master English.

It happens that at school a child experiences difficulties with foreign languages. What could be the reasons for the difficulties? How to make learning a foreign language effective for a child? And what is the best way to organize teaching English to beginning children? Let's look at a few fundamental principles.

• One of the fundamental principles is the correct selection of training intensity. Teachers agree that for a child aged 2 to 4 years, the duration of an English lesson should be about half an hour. At the age of 4 to 6 years, you can practice a little longer - up to 1 hour. As a rule, English lessons for children are held 2-3 times a week. One lesson is usually devoted to a specific topic - family, animals, my home, summer holidays, school life. This lesson also contains elements. Based on the topic of the lesson and the grammatical construction, which is introduced in class, the parent or teacher selects the material - , .
• If a younger student has difficulties with English, it is necessary special attention focus on improving his self-esteem. Perhaps the baby is experiencing stress due to high school requirements, the need to “catch up” with more successful classmates. Difficulties may also arise because the child hears reprimand much more often than praise. Praising a child means providing him with the psycho-emotional comfort that is so necessary for learning. It is necessary to convey to the child the fact that abilities can be developed through training. There are many resources that provide English materials for children online for free. To improve colloquial speech Suitable for schoolchildren. Additional classes at home will improve academic performance within the school walls.
• The easiest way to teach a child English is through games. The game is the leading activity before the onset school age when school takes the place of children's fun. However, younger schoolchildren still love to frolic and play. Will be useful as play activities with a child, as well. By approaching your child’s education wisely, he will not have to be forced to learn English “under pressure.” The child himself will look forward to the next lesson. After all, for him this is the time when he can enjoy fun games.
• They also show effectiveness - after all, by watching them, the child has fun and at the same time masters the language. Plots are often based on

There are many English websites for children on the Internet. Among them there are both good and not so good. In this review I will talk about several interesting resources, which will be useful to parents who decide to teach English to their children, as well as teachers.

Disclaimer: I am neither an English teacher nor a parent. However, I am very familiar with the sites that we're talking about in the review, I used them myself and recommend them to others, including friends who study English with their children.

“Teacher Method” – detailed English lessons for children 5 – 10 years old

Another popular English site Puzzle English(also with very wide functionality) offers large and very detailed courses for beginners “Teacher Method”. Courses made in game form. In the “Teacher Method” the theory is given not only in the form of text, as in Lingvaleo, but also in short videos with teachers.

Classes are held according to the “explanation – exercises – test” scheme:

• The teacher explains a new topic.
• You do several exercises.
• After completing several lessons, you take an exam (test).

Most of the site's features are free, but some features are paid, for example, some modes for learning words, almost all courses.

Separately, it is worth highlighting the course, designed, in fact, for the little ones.

The course contains three blocks of tasks:

1. Learning the alphabet.
2. My family and pets.
3. How do you feel?

Classes are held in the form of interactive tasks where you need to choose correct option answer, match a word and a picture, put words together from letters, etc. Like all courses, “English for the Little Ones” can be taken in free demo mode to see if it’s suitable or not.

Duolingo – English for children in a playful way

The British Council has these cute cards

On this site you will find materials for children of preschool and primary school age: songs, short stories, videos, games, exercises, etc. They are all well designed. For example, if you open a video, it will not just be a page with a video (which everyone has watched), but a whole set of tasks: first an exercise where you need to match words and a picture, then a video, then a test, plus a pdf is attached to the video -files for printing – text from the video, tasks and answers.

• Listen and Watch– videos and exercises for them. The songs are highlighted in a separate subsection.
• Read and Write – short texts for reading and simple written exercises (for example, caption a picture).
• Speak and Spell– video and text materials, exercises on pronunciation (reading rules) and spelling.
• Grammar and Vocabulary– video lessons (skits), exercises and games on grammar. The rules are explained in an extremely simplified manner.
• Fun and Games– mini-games for learning English.
• Print and Make– materials for printing: vocabulary cards, coloring books, mini-worksheets and others.
• Parents– a section for parents with articles, useful tips about how to help children learn English. Includes video lessons where teachers explain how to play educational games with young children.

The British Council also released a number mobile applications, on this page there is a list of them: http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/apps.

InternetUrok.ru – free school curriculum lessons online

Where can I find cartoons in English?

There are quite a few cartoons in English created specifically in educational purposes. There scenes, dialogues are played out, new words are explained, etc. Here is where you can find them:

• On YouTube– YouTube is full of such cartoons, it won’t be difficult to find them. For example, here a selection of educational cartoons about the dragon Gogo and his friends. In this series for kids simple words and phrases are given in small stories about the adventures of a funny little dragon.
• In the English Conversation for Kids app is not a training program, but simply a collection of videos from YouTube, conveniently sorted into catalogs. The same cartoons about the dragon Gogo and many others. The application is available on Android.
• On Lingualeo. In the “Materials” section there is a “Children” topic, which contains, among other things, such cartoons. The disadvantage is that they are collected randomly, the advantage is the presence of convenient subtitles with a translation that pops up when clicked.

In addition to educational cartoons, there are also simply cartoons that can be watched without translation. But this, of course, is a more difficult task. They can be found on Puzzle Movies (section Puzzle English with TV series) – in addition to TV shows and series, this service also has cartoons.

Access is paid, but it also provides interesting opportunities:

• All cartoons are equipped with smart subtitles that show the translation at the click of a mouse.
• Double subtitles - in Russian and English, you can set them in Russian, in English or both at once.

The course "English for the little ones" is aimed at acquiring speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.

Course objectives:

Acquire vocabulary, develop listening comprehension skills, learn to write and read in English.

Course Description:

English for the little ones is an exclusive author's program, designed specifically for your children, which will teach your baby English without rules and cramming. Preschool education English is very important stage in the development of the child’s personality, because Children from one to three years old absorb everything new like a sponge, and the result will not be long in coming - the child will simply speak English as his native language. In the future, knowledge of one foreign language from such early age will help your child both in learning other foreign languages ​​and in expanding their horizons and knowledge of the world.

We use a gaming technique and take into account the nuances of age - features of thinking, attention, memory. Professional teachers They will not let the child get bored, they will involve him headlong in the process of mastering a different linguistic reality and combine this with playing, singing and creativity. English for preschoolers is learning with passion!

Course duration:

Depending on entry level child. For children over one year old, the duration of the lesson is 45 minutes, and starting from 2.5 years old - 60 or 90 minutes. The duration of the lesson can also be determined individually, taking into account your wishes and the recommendations of the methodologist.

English from cradle

How earlier child starts learning a new language, the better this will affect the qualities of his English speech, the richer, more literate and freer she will be. They will never have the difficulties in learning a language that adults face.

Our teachers take their task of working with children seriously and responsibly, and conduct English lessons for children in a way that is interesting for them. Children sculpt and draw, developing creatively, play, study physical exercise, learn about design - and all this while continuing to study English in a variety of life situations. Of course, new words are remembered much better this way.

English for kids in a group

Group classes are usually held for 4-6 people, and this form of training helps children not only relax and communicate with each other, but also learn to help and interact in a variety of situations.

Moreover, with such a group you can develop a script, stage a production, or hold a competition. This is how the course “English for the Little Ones” becomes much more interesting, a competitive element appears, and trust in others develops.

In a small group setting, the teacher can closely monitor each child's learning progress.

English for kids individually

The individual form of classes allows you to give maximum attention to the child, determine his interests, choose a unique methodology and the appropriate pace that will be optimal for the learning of a particular child.

When teaching English to preschoolers, our certified teachers understand that small child cannot concentrate on one activity for a long time, and therefore they closely monitor his interest and readiness to perceive information, in another case, distracting him with a walk or sports warm-up, offering the form of exercise that interests him.

English for the little ones - bilingual (bilingual) development

Bilingualism is much easier for children than adults, so it’s worth starting to teachEnglish for kidsas early as possible. At our school, all the conditions have been selected so that, having started learning English from the cradle, by the age of five, the child can think freely and speak two languages ​​at once. This significantly develops the child’s brain and helps to significantly increase vocabulary.

Even just spending some time in a bilingual environment, the child remembers new words without tedious cramming and any marks, going about his business and exploring the world. The baby will learn the structure of language without linguistic dictionaries and constructions, learn to correctly perceive rhythm, understand word formation and remember the structure of sentences.

So, unconsciously, he will learn English for the little ones along with his native language, and already at the age of 4-5 years he will have a solid store of knowledge that will help him make his speech literate, rich vocabulary, and free expression of feelings, thoughts and needs.

You can supplement this course with classes in the programs “English with a native speaker for children” and “Creating in English”.

We also offer classes for children from 1 to 6 years old in the format kindergarten half-day Mini Club.

I would like to dedicate this article of my blog to the topic of English for very young children. Many parents believe that if they themselves do not speak English or do not know it at a sufficient level, as they think, then their baby is not necessary; in any case, in the future, by studying with tutors and teachers at school, he will be able to achieve results in this area.

However, they don't think very much important point, which Masaru Ibuka and Shichida, famous innovators in the field, mentioned in their works early development children. I'll tell you what the point is.

Each language has its own wave frequency. The languages ​​of the European group are close to each other in frequency, the Russian language is close to Ukrainian and Belarusian, but Chinese and Japanese are on a completely different level.

Initially, when a child under one year old hears the voices of his parents and the voices of other people, he can only distinguish different levels sound waves and can try to adapt to any of the waves heard above. When a child begins to speak, he has already completely adjusted to the sound of his parents’ voice, thereby choosing the language that will be considered native to him. If he has multilingual parents, then the baby will speak fluently in 2 languages ​​and will consider them native.

Therefore, Shichida and Masaru Ibuka advise including a child in his life from the very birth different languages, especially difficult to understand and different in frequency from the Russian language.

While the baby’s brain is growing rapidly and absorbing all the information that surrounds him, special effort, be sure to fill his life with English, and if possible, then other languages.

How to start training with the little ones?

Audio

When the baby is 2-3 months old, you can slowly include English in his life. Start with simple musical lullabies, poems, simple dialogues in English. From time to time, turn on music, dialogues, songs, rhymes, videos or cartoons: let them go in the background. The baby will listen and tune in to the frequency of the English language. For example, here you can download a good CD with songs in English - click on the picture:

Very good drive and books with assignments:

Video for babies up to one year old

When the child reaches 1 year or so, books, flashcards and the first small cartoons and video programs with teaching English can be included in his life. Here you can download for free the Your Baby Can Read CDs developed by American doctor Robertov Titzer. There are three parts posted on the root tracker. There are 5 parts in total, and they also include cards with words and pictures for the video.

The film itself is intended for children from 3 months to 5 years. From my personal experience I advise you to start watching the video film no earlier than 6 months.

In addition, do not watch the entire video film at once, but in small pieces throughout the day. Each disc is intended for daily viewing for 1-2 months, depending on the child’s digestibility of the material. You can check the results using the cards that come with these discs. You can download free CDs with English for kids here - click on the picture:

Cards

From the age of 1, I also advise you to buy or acquire the simplest cards in English.

Similar cards can be downloaded and printed on my website. For example, like this.

For example, these cute cards with words in pictures in English for kids are sold in the Labyrinth - click on the picture to find out more about this product in the store:

Include picture cards in your English lessons that show english alphabet. They can be downloaded for free on my website. Click on the link to select the cards you need, where available.

Learning colors

Presentations for the little ones

There are also very good slides with English for babies on a disk called Child Prodigy from the Diaper. English for little ones in pictures can be downloaded for free here:

Books and poems

From about 1.5 - 2.5 years old, include fairy tales in English for children.

For example, Labyrinth sells a very good series of Russian folk tales and others simple stories in English for kids. The books are called “Reading Together.” I have been reading these books to my daughter since she was 1.5 years old. She still asks me to read them from time to time and knows them practically by heart. You can buy the books here - click on the pictures below. The books are inexpensive and very useful. You can also purchase CDs for these fairy tales, which are read by professional speakers in English especially for children. You can buy this disc here.

You can also purchase CDs for these fairy tales, which are read by professional speakers in English especially for children. You can buy such a disc here - click on the picture below:

Top 50 English songs

Video materials for children aged 1.5-2 years

From about 2 years old, I advise you to supplement your English lessons with various videos in English for children - these can be various cartoons, educational programs, video lessons, songs and much more. From what my daughter likes to watch, I would like to highlight:

Magic English

Magic English - English lessons for little ones:

There are CDs, books, and interactive tasks. Peppa Pig - english cartoons for the smallest kids - click on the picture to download for free.

Baby Jake - cartoons and videos in English about 11 one month old baby Jake. Click on the picture to download English for little ones for free: English for kids - little Pim cartoons (about a panda). You can download it here:

Songs and poems are very important for children's understanding of the English language. You can memorize with an older child short poems in English. For example, you can learn or sing songs and poems with your baby “ Good night"in English. Surely the child is already familiar with the song “Good Night” in Russian, which is present in the program “Good Night, Kids”. You can take an analogue of the song in English and sing it: the music and lyrics of “Good Night” will already be familiar.

Educational literature for little ones

For children from 4 to 6 years old there is a very good series of English books for kids by N.A. Bonk and I.A. Bonk. This includes a textbook, a workbook, and handout, and audio materials, and games, song scenes, and even copybooks. Bonk's textbook is absolutely new technique. In Bonk's manuals, all texts are based on speech patterns of the language, which makes them possible to use even for study in universities.

Textbook “English for junior schoolchildren” by I.A. Shishkova, M.E. Verbovskaya is intended for children primary classes schools. Set by I.A. Shishkov, M.E. Verbovskaya includes a 2-part textbook, workbook and discs with recordings. Done training manual“English for younger schoolchildren” I.A. Shishkova, M.E. Verbovskaya, edited by N.A. Bonk, so the methods in them are largely similar. I.A. Shishkova, M.E. Verbovskaya offer game-based teaching methods that help children successfully cope with learning a foreign language. Lessons given to children by I.A. Shishkova, M.E. Verbovskaya, will certainly be useful to your child.