The ABCs of VYLsAndrea Castro

International House Dubai

A few differences between YLs and VYLs

•Establishing rules

•Seating arrangements

Lack of classroom experience

How do they learn?

Sight, hearing, touch, movement

Very young learners learn through the senses!Very young learners learn through the senses!

Flashcards

Worksheets

Chants & music

Storytelling

Realia

Crafts

Role-plays

Competitions

•Pointing

•Painting, colouring and drawing

•Cutting

•Using puppets

Children’s development: fine motor skills

VYL teachers must help learners to prepare for the fine motor challenges of the school years! VYL teachers must help learners to prepare for the fine motor challenges of the school years!

Bringing routine into the classroom

Tips

•Start every class with the learners greeting the teddy in English.

•Use the same teddy in every class.

•The teddy can also be used as a disciplinary tool and to encourage responsibility.

The English teddy/puppet

•Greeting

•Introduction

•Presentation

•Activities

•Class game

•Tidying up time

Establishing a class routine, with familiar, predictable stages

•Leaving and entering the classroom in order

•Break time keywords – reinforcing vocabulary

•Managing time wisely

Handling break time

Crafts and more: suggested activities

Crafts & Stories

•Creating masks and puppets for storytelling and role-plays

Developing fine motor skillsDeveloping

listening skillsEncouraging learners to

produce language

Songs

Multi-sensory approach to songs

•Learners listen to the song

•Learners mime some of the actions/objects from the song

•Learners are encouraged to sing along

•Sing along once again!

The ABCs of VYLsAndrea Castro

International House Dubai