How I Teach English to My Little Kids in Kindergarten and Grade One

When I step into my classroom each morning, I always remind myself: “These little ones are learning English for the very first time. I must make it feel like a game, not a subject.”

I want to share what works for me, step by step, because teaching English to small kids is not about big grammar books. It is about love, play, sound, and story.

1. Start with Sounds, Not Words

Before kids can read or write, they must hear and feel the sounds of English.

I play sound games. For example, I say “ssss” and show a picture of a sun.
Children repeat after me. I clap, they clap.
Sometimes we make funny faces with sounds. Kids laugh, and the sound sticks in their memory.

This is the first step: phonics. It is like giving them keys before opening the door of reading.

2. Use Songs and Rhymes Every Day

I sing with them. I don’t worry if my voice is perfect. Children love rhythm and repeat faster with music.

Rhymes like “Twinkle, Twinkle” or action songs with claps and jumps help them remember new words.
We do the same rhyme again and again for a week. Repetition is not boring for them—it is comfort.

3. Speak in Short, Clear Sentences

When I talk to them, I use very small lines. For example:

“Take your book.”
“Open page one.”
“Draw a cat.”

This way they connect words with action. If I use long sentences, they get lost.

4. Connect Words to Real Life

Children understand better when they see or touch.

If I teach the word apple, I show a real apple, let them touch, smell, and maybe take a bite.
If we learn run, jump, sit, we go outside and do it together.

Learning becomes real when it comes to their little world.

5. Story Time is Magic

Every day, I keep a short story time.

I use big pictures and tell the story slowly.
I act with my face, hands, and voice.
Children repeat small words after me.

Stories make English warm and alive. Children feel like they are part of it.

6. Writing Comes Slowly

I never rush writing. First, we make letters with fingers in the air, then on sand, then with crayons.

I praise every little try.
Even if the letter is not perfect, I clap. They feel proud.

Confidence is more important than neatness in the beginning.

7. Always Celebrate Small Success

When a child says just one word—cat or dog—I smile big and clap.
Children learn faster when they feel happy and safe. I never compare one child with another. Every child blooms in their own time.

8. Make English a Part of Daily Life

I don’t keep English only for class.

We greet each other in English: “Good morning.”
We count in English: “One, two, three.”
We even pray, sing, or say bye in English.

Slowly, English becomes their friend, not a stranger.

Final Thoughts

Teaching English to small kids is not about textbooks. It is about love, patience, play, and repeat. Every child learns at their own speed. My job as a teacher is to give them a safe space where English feels fun and alive.

When I see their little eyes shine because they understood a new word, I feel the biggest reward.