There are so many fun and creative ways to teach young English learners (ESL, EFL) vocabulary. In this blog series we will be exploring vocabulary games you can use to go along with the My First 100 Words With Matt picture dictionary book. Here we go!
My First 100 Words With Matt
Game: Picture Scavenger Hunt
Get ready for an exciting adventure with our first game: Picture Scavenger Hunt! The goal is simple – preschoolers will actively search for hidden flash cards based on a specific theme. Here’s how to play:
Choose a theme (like animals or food from the book).
I have been using the My First 100 Words With Matt book in my young learners English classes. In this post we will explore the benefits of using a picture dictionary book for learning language. Here we go!
My First 100 Words With Matt
Learning to speak and understand language is an exciting milestone in a child’s life. As a parent or caregiver, you play a crucial role in fostering language development. Picture dictionary books are an excellent tool for helping children learn their first words. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of using picture dictionary books and provide practical tips for maximizing the learning experience.
The Power of Visuals: Picture dictionary books are highly effective because they harness the power of visuals. Children are naturally drawn to pictures, and the visual elements in these books enhance their language learning and comprehension. The combination of words and visuals creates an engaging and memorable experience for young learners.
Sample Page from My First 100 Words With Matt Book
Choosing the Right Book: When selecting a picture dictionary book, consider factors such as age appropriateness, illustrations, and vocabulary. Look for books that align with your child’s developmental stage and interests.
Interactive Learning: Make picture dictionary book reading interactive and engaging. Encourage your child’s participation by asking questions and discussing the pictures together. By actively involving your child in the learning process, you enhance their comprehension and language skills.
Expanding Vocabulary: Picture dictionary books are excellent tools for building your child’s vocabulary. Explore different word categories like nouns, verbs, and adjectives. Use the visuals to reinforce the meaning of words and help your child remember them. Repetition is key in vocabulary acquisition, so revisit the book regularly and encourage your child to use the words in everyday conversations.
Making Real-Life Connections: Help your child connect the words they learn in the picture dictionary book to their everyday experiences. Relate the book’s content to their routines, environment, and personal interests. Encourage curiosity and imagination by asking open-ended questions and sparking discussions about the pictures.
Beyond Words: Concepts and Context: Picture dictionary books go beyond teaching individual words. They can introduce broader concepts such as colors, shapes, numbers, and emotions. Explore storylines, characters, and plot development to expand your child’s language skills.
Conclusion: Picture dictionary books are powerful tools for teaching children their first words. Through visuals, interactive reading, and vocabulary expansion, these books create a language-rich environment that supports your child’s language development. By choosing the right book, making real-life connections, and exploring concepts, you can maximize the learning experience. So, grab a picture dictionary book and embark on a visual journey that will unlock a world of words for your little one!
Numbers are an important part of a young learners (ESL, EFL) lesson. Using songs like the Dream English Let’s Count 1 to 10 is a great way to introduce numbers. Check that song out here. After singing the song, try this fun game:
The “Number Hunt” game. Ages 3-6. Here’s how you can play it:
Prepare number cards: Create or print out large, colorful cards with numbers from 1 to 10. Each card should have a corresponding number of objects or dots to represent the numeral. You can also use flashcards.
Hide the number cards: Hide the number cards around the classroom or a designated play area.
Explain the game: Gather the children and explain that they are going on a number hunt to find the hidden numbers.
Start the hunt: Encourage the children to search for the number cards one by one. When they find a card, they should bring it back to you or a designated area.
Number recognition: Once a child finds a number card, ask them to identify the number and count the objects or dots on the card. You can reinforce their understanding by asking questions like, “What number did you find?” or “How many objects are on the card?”
Repeat and rotate: Repeat the game, hiding the cards in different locations, and let each child have multiple turns finding the numbers.
Matt’s Tip: To avoid competition, tell each student they can only get one card.
This game not only helps young learners practice number recognition and counting skills but also adds an element of excitement and physical activity to the learning process. Be sure that you are hiding the numbers in a safe area for children.
Have a look at the popular Let’s Count 1 to 10 Video here. Happy Teaching!
Teaching children numbers and counting from 1-100 is an important part of any young learners English Class (ESL, EFL). In this post I will talk about
How to teach Numbers 1-10 to beginner students
How to teach Numbers 1-100 and beyond
Songs to help students learn numbers
Games and activities to practice numbers with your students.
HOW TO TEACH NUMBERS 1-10 TO BEGINNER STUDENTS
There are many different ways to teach numbers. I do not think it is necessary to translate numbers to the students native language. The students will be able to understand numbers by counting. Here are a few ways I introduce numbers to young students ages 3-6:
I use my fingers and count from 1-10. Encourage your students to follow along.
Teach the numbers with flashcards
Count objects and students
Do actions and count. For example, jumping or standing on one foot and counting to ten.
I sometimes do all of the above in one lesson! It can be fun and by the end students will really begin to count in English.
DICE GAME
I have a big soft dice in my classroom. I use this for a simple game with my students.
First, we count the numbers on each side from 1-6. Next, I roll the dice and ask the students what is the number on the top of the dice when the roll stops. My dice has numbers, but you can use any dice and count the dots.
Now it is the students turn. If you have a big class, get volunteers. For smaller classes, every student can have a turn. Be careful using small dice if you have young students. Look for a dice like you see in the picture above.
SONGS FOR TEACHING NUMBERS
I use Let’s Count 1 to 10 to teach numbers in preschool English class and the kids love it! It’s simple and fun. Kids from 2-10 years old will enjoy this simple song and dance.
Before teaching the song, I start by teaching the numbers from 1-10.
I teach the numbers in a few different ways:
I use my fingers and count from 1-10. Encourage your students to follow along.
Teach the numbers with flashcards
Count objects and students
Do actions and count like jumping or standing on one foot and counting to ten.
Next, I teach the words of the song with the actions.
You can see the actions in the video above. It is simple clapping from side to side while counting to ten. I do this first before trying with the melody.
Now sing the song!
After teaching the actions to the song it is now time to give it a try. If you know the melody, sing the song without background music first. Finally, add the music and sing the song with your students!
Why so many steps?
Young learners need repetition to learn. While you are doing the steps to teach numbers, keep it fun for your students. Be a little silly, smile and laugh. Also, do not expect too much from your students for a first try.
You can download a Free MP3 of the song here and it is also available on Spotify and other streaming services!
TEACHING NUMBERS 1-100 AND BEYOND
When my students are comfortable with numbers 1-10 I begin introducing higher numbers. For numbers 11-100 I use flashcards. It becomes more difficult to count objects when you get into higher numbers.
Here are some tips:
Teach 1-20 first. Students may have challenges with numbers 11, 12, 13, and 15. Go slowly with these numbers.
After your students can count to 20, introduce 20-100 counting by tens: 20, 30, 40, etc.
When your students are comfortable counting to 100 this way you can count up by one and teach 21, 22, 23, 24, etc.
You do not have to count from 1-100 by 1s every class. I usually count 1-30 by 1s and then by tens to 100.
After 100 you can introduce 1,000 and 10,000 young learners have fun counting such high numbers
SONGS FOR COUNTING TO 100
In the video above your students can practice counting from 1-100 by 1s and get some exercise! Give it a try.
SONGS FOR COUNTING TO 1,000
Believe it or not I have a song and video to count to 1,000! This video might be good for your students to listen to in the background or at home.
SIMPLE NUMBERS GAMES
There are so many games you can use to teach numbers. With young English learners ages 3-6 I use two simple games.
Touch Game – Put numbers flashcards on the table or floor and ask your students to touch a number you say. For young learners you can start with numbers 1-3 and as the students advance add more numbers. You can also make it a competition by having two students at a time touch a number you say. The faster student wins.
Quiz Game – Show a number flashcard to your students and have them call out the number they see. You can start slowly with younger students. As your students get better, show them the card quickly by spinning it around. Have fun with this.
I hope this has been helpful. Be creative and use a lot of repetition and review. I teach numbers every class. Numbers are important and it doubles as great English pronunciation practice!
I’m super excited to tell you about my new book: My First 100 Words With Matt. A book designed for young learners of English as a second or foreign language (ESL, EFL).
We worked really hard on this book to present the vocabulary in a fun and memorable way. Each chapter has ten vocabulary words. I chose the vocabulary based upon the most important words for young English learners. The vocabulary in the book follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Why 100 Words?
I chose one hundred words as it is a concrete and doable goal for children. The words in this book are chosen because children will find them common in their lives. Learn Animals, Food, Vehicles, Numbers, Jobs, Colors, Family, Clothing, Body Parts, and Actions vocabulary.
It is said that with a few hundred words we can get by in a language. To be conversational, research shows that between 800-1000 words are necessary. With a basis of 100 words your young learners will be on their way to speaking English!
Look Inside! Let’s have a look at a few chapters from the book:
Free Audio and Visual Materials
I have created audio lessons to go with each chapter. You can check those out here. I am also working on videos for each chapter with chapters 1-3 already available. Students can watch the videos and follow along with each chapter. Check out Chapter 1 below. For more videos go to the Dream English Kids YouTube channel.
Students can also watch the My first 100 Words chant video with all of the vocabulary.
If you are a parent wanting your child to learn English, or a teacher of English this book is for you!
Search for the book on Amazon in your local country store.
Below are links to purchase the book in different country Amazon stores. Click on your country.
Below is the recording of my recent Live webinar. Thank you to everyone who attended. Learn more about the Preschool Songs in English at school.dreamenglish.com
Learn 100 Vocabulary Words in ten fun and easy to understand chapters.
Free downloadable audio resources to go with the book. Details on the inside cover. The book goes with the 100 Words in English Chant on the Dream English Kids YouTube channel.
Build student confidence with an attainable goal of learning 100 words!
It is time for Halloween again, it sure comes up fast every year. This year I’m excited about Halloween because I have some brand new songs. I’ve been testing these songs out in my classes and the students are already enjoying the songs.
New Album: Good Morning Halloween by Dream English Kids
Below I will talk about some of the songs from the album.
Let’s watch the Good Morning Halloween Song video:
I hope you enjoyed that. This song is a great warm-up song for your morning classes. To teach this I would teach the actions and the lyrics first. Then get play the song. The students will follow along quickly because it is an action song.
Jumping on Halloween. Let’s watch the video:
Jumping on Halloween is an action song with some stops in it which young learners always enjoy.
The last song on the album is Good Afternoon Halloween:
This is the same song as the Good Morning Halloween song, but it is for your afternoon classes. I am using this song as well and it is a great way to start the Halloween classes
I will be making videos for all of the songs on Good Morning Halloween throughout the month on the Dream English Kids YouTube channel. There are also sing-along tracks. All of the songs have a sing-along track you can use those if you want to try to have your students sing without my voice. Also, you can use the sing-along track as background music if you are doing activities or Halloween games.
