Educating very young children

5. Observe and challenge at the right level for the individual child
Observe children when they are playing and learning, to see where they are in their development. It is important to remember not to isolate skills but to consider the child’s entire learning. This information is vital in planning your classes and allows you to build on what children know, and increase the challenge at an appropriate rate.
Challenge keeps children motivated. Activities such as inventing stories not only improve their English language skills, but develop their creative skills at the same time. For example, you could ask them to adapt the words to songs or rhymes, giving them a chance to experiment with words and sounds. Supporting a child’s development through memorable challenges like this will allow them to develop a positive attitude towards learning English that they will take into later life.
Teachers, do you want to learn new techniques and methods from experts in early-years teaching? Sign up for our free online course English in Early Childhood: Language Learning and Development today.
Quality pre-primary education is the foundation of a child’s journey: every stage of education that follows relies on its success. Yet, despite the proven and lifelong benefits, more than 175 million children – nearly half of all pre-primary-age children globally – are not enrolled in pre-primary education.
Nearly half of all pre-primary-age children around the world are not enrolled in preschool.
In low-income countries, the picture is bleaker, with only 1 in 5 young children enrolled. Children from poor families are the least likely to attend early childhood education programmes. For children who do have access, poorly trained educators, overcrowded and unstimulating environments, and unsuitable curricula diminish the quality of their experiences.
Failure to provide quality early childhood education limits children’s futures by denying them opportunities to reach their full potential. It also limits the futures of countries, robbing them of the human capital needed to reduce inequalities and promote peaceful, prosperous societies.
Explore the data
Read the global report
Read the advocacy brief