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2 year old learning videos


12 YouTube channels for toddlers and preschoolers | Daycare Blog

If you’ve read our article on screen time alternatives, you’ll know that we’re not all about getting kids to sit in front of a TV all day. That said, limited screen time can be a way to keep kids occupied and happy, while also giving them a bit of education…or just entertainment (that’s ok too! We all love a bit of relaxation time!). YouTube is a regular go-to for parents and their toddlers. But where do you find the channels that are specifically made for toddlers and preschoolers? And what about the ones that are more than just nursery rhymes and songs?

Here is a list of some that we’ve found:

1) Blippi

https://www.youtube.com/user/BlippiVideos/

Blippi is the name of this toddler show’s host. Blippi is a real person (well, we don’t think his real name is Blippi…). That is to say, he’s not a cartoon or a puppet. He’s a human who wears suspenders and a bow tie, and talks like a kid while teaching little eyes about his discoveries. He goes on field trips to learn about colours, numbers, machines and the basics of ‘life’ that toddlers experience in their little world.

Blippi has some offshoot YouTube channels, which are also for kids. For example, Kideo and Blippi Toys. Though, they all seem related to the same genre of video, and don’t differ much from his main channel. The latter two may have more toy features, however.

2) Wow English TV

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx1xhxQyzR4TT6PmXO0khbQ/

This is another series of videos hosted by a ‘real life’ guy named Steve. His ‘real’ body is often  mixed with cartoon backgrounds. He doesn’t wear a funky outfit like Blippi, but he does act like he’s talking to toddlers, and is very animated with his vocal tones and hand actions. Steve uses simple English and repeats words, which is helpful for tots who are learning to speak.

3) Maple Leaf Learning

https://www.youtube.com/user/MapleLeafHashima

Maple Leaf Learning seems Canadian, only because it’s got a red maple leaf on the main character’s drawing. The show features “Marty and friends.” Marty is a Moose puppet who sings educational songs behind animated backgrounds.

4) Machines for Kids

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUiPah8pHDSBxlPoLhkoh2w/

This channel is very simple, and apparently, very low-budget too. It hasn’t been updated in over a year. But we can see why toddlers would love watching it. It’s just plain footage of boats, diggers, trucks, tractors and the like. With background music, of course! If your child is obsessed with machinery on construction sites, then this will keep them occupied. This channel is actually another offshoot of Blipi’s work too. But it doesn’t feature interactions with a host.

5) Katie Cutie Kids TV

https://www.youtube.com/user/katiecutiekidsTV

Katie Cute is a female, ‘real life’ host singing nursery rhymes with animated background graphics and child-friendly costumes. The woman’s character doesn’t come off so much as a host talking to the audience, but more as the person making faces to go along with background music and lyrics. It’s soft and simple content, and great for wee ones.

6) Patty Shukla Kids TV – Children’s songs

https://www.youtube.com/user/pattyshukla

Mrs. Patty talks and sings enthusiastically to her audience of early learners. She also sells music downloads and apps to go with her videos. Often, other kids appear alongside Patty in her videos, joining in on the fun as she leads them through actions to songs.

7) CBC Kids

https://www.youtube.com/user/kidscbc/

Just like the CBC you grew up with as a Canadian kid, this is that, but on YouTube. You can get the more ‘mainstream’ TV characters on video here, including Sesame Street.

8) Toddler Fun Learning

https://www.youtube.com/user/Toddlerfunlearning/

On this channel you’ll find toddler-appropriate learning lessons that both talk slow, and show graphics slowly, for little ones to absorb at their level. It’s a mish-mash of animated characters talking to kids, plus ‘real life’ footage of animals or cars. While it’s not all songs, they do have some videos that include singing.

9) Mother Goose Club & Mother Goose Club Baby

https://www.youtube.com/user/MotherGooseClub/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuJ9YP_Hikt4IqITa6ZlxzQ/

This kid’s channel features characters like Humpty Dumpty teaching preschool-aged kids about planets in song, or Bo Beep singing about animal sounds. Other times, you’ll see ‘real life’ humans (including kids) in costumes on animated backgrounds. This is a mostly a singing channel, and doesn’t do much talking. It has a ‘baby’ list of videos on another channel, which seem more appropriate for younger toddlers.

10) Super Simple TV – Kids Shows & Cartoons

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdIWg_E1ckuONPTsdvevYgg

This children’s channel on YouTube features series of ‘episode-style’ cartoons. They are mostly animated, though some use puppetry. They teach preschoolers the alphabet, or they simply entertain with stories and characters who solve problems or make discoveries. The pace is also slow enough for young ones, which is helpful for their comprehension level.

11) Caitie’s Classroom

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxG6Tbopv4XcHfem65bgFeg/

This is an offshoot of Super Simple TV and their other channel, Super Simple Songs. Caitie – another ‘real life,’ adult host, sings classic early childhood songs to children. Sometimes puppets appear, and have conversations with Caitie before they decide to start a sing-a-long. Catie’s songs have repetitive words to help preschoolers learn words. There is also a series of talk-only videos on this channel that, for example, explain how to do simple, educational crafts for young children. Or, Caitie may do a science experiment, or go out on a trip, such as to get a haircut. Catie is a little bit like Blippi, but a lot more toned down, and calmer in her mannerisms.

12) Funny Lion

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz_lLo1Av6KHZy-OZmzLIaQ/

This is an imaginative, story-telling channel that uses toys and people’s voices to enact stories. It’s extremely simple, and doesn’t contain the many animations or effects you’ll see on other series. That said, it does the job of keeping toddlers and preschoolers entertained with horse sounds or “Silly toy wolves playing” (to give one video title example). For adults who have a hard time playing make-believe with kids and their toys, this channel will teach you how!

There are many more preschool-friendly videos on YouTube!

We’ve listed 12 YouTube channels for toddlers and preschoolers, which can be your go-to source for ‘safe’ and age-appropriate videos. But certainly, we weren’t able to cover them all. Keep your eye out for good content and then subscribe, so you can get that channel’s updates.

Sometimes, parents are concerned about what their kids might click on when they’re not overseeing them, or the ads that appear on videos. For that, YouTube has come up with an answer that solves most of these issues: YouTube Kids. It’s an app-only place to set up videos that your kids can watch. You can even block the content you don’t want your kids to see, or report inappropriate content.

Since YouTube is free-for-all, where anyone can watch, and anyone can upload, it won’t always be fool-proof. For ad-free content, you’ll probably want to stick to Netflix or the new YouTube Premium paid services.

See more on our blog:

  • 13 apps to help young kids learn
  • 6 Screen time alternatives to keep little kids occupied while you do your thing
  • Should young children be using electronics and media?
  • 3 Top benefits of downtime for kids and why they need it

Learning, Play, and Your 1- to 2-Year-Old (for Parents)

Kids transition from babies to toddlers during the second year of life. Shaky first steps give way to confident walking and climbing. Your toddler will be on the move, so be sure to childproof your home to prevent household accidents.

What Is My Toddler Learning?
Language Skills

Kids this age make big gains in understanding language and figuring out how to communicate. By 15 months, most say their first words and point to ask for something or to get help. They can follow directions when given with both words and a gesture. By 18 months, they follow 1-step directions without gestures.

During year two, vocabulary increases slowly over the first 6 months and then expands quickly during the second 6 months. Vocabulary grows from 1 or 2 words to about 50 words. Toddlers will use more gestures, like blowing kisses and shaking the head “yes.”

Toddlers understand much more than they can express. This can be frustrating for your child and may lead to tantrums.

Fine Motor Skills

Hand–eye coordination and fine motor skills continue to improve. With better control over fingers and hands, toddlers learn to scribble and try to use switches, buttons, and knobs. Choose busy boxes and other age-appropriate toys for them to explore.

Play

As a baby, your child "played" with toys by shaking, banging, or throwing them. Your toddler now tries to use things the right way, so is more likely to stack blocks, listen or talk into a toy phone, or push a toy car.

Toddlers enjoy having other kids around. They often copy other children while playing. But don't expect them to "play" cooperatively with each other or to be thrilled about sharing toys. Have plenty of toys for everyone and be prepared to step in when they don't want to share. Older siblings can be role models when it comes to teaching, sharing, and taking turns.

How Can I Help My Toddler Play and Learn?

Once toddlers learn to walk, there's no turning back. Yours will want to keep moving and build on this newfound skill. Provide lots of chances to be active and practice running, jumping, and climbing in safe surroundings.

Toddlers love to copy you doing chores. Provide age-appropriate toys that will encourage this, such as a toy vacuum to use while you're cleaning or pots, pans, and spoons to play with while you're cooking. Other toys that toddlers enjoy include:

  • brightly colored balls
  • blocks, stacking, and nesting toys
  • fat crayons or markers
  • age-appropriate animal or people figures and dolls
  • toy cars and trains
  • shape sorters, peg boards
  • simple puzzles
  • push, pull, and riding toys

Reading continues to be important. Your toddler can follow along with a story and point to objects in the pictures as you name them. Encourage toddlers to name things they recognize.

Chat about the books you read together and the things you did that day. Ask questions and encourage your toddler to reply by waiting for a response, then expand on those replies.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Toddlers develop at different rates, and there is a wide range of normal development.

Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your toddler's development.

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD

Date reviewed: May 2022

Educational games for 2-year-olds with parents at home

A game for a 2-year-old kid is not just fun. Through this type of activity, the child learns the world. He learns, remembers information, gets acquainted with new things. The task of parents at this stage is to choose games for harmonious physical and intellectual development.

Article content:

  • Outdoor games
  • Educational games
  • Educational games
  • Tips for parents
  • Terminals

Outdoor games

The best place for active games is the street, but what to do in bad weather? It is not at all necessary to leave a two-year-old without movement. You can organize games in a city apartment. Take advantage of our advice. And the child will be happy, and the furniture in the house will not suffer.

2 years is the optimal age for outdoor games. The child already coordinates the body well, easily orients in space. He controls actions, likes to imitate adults and learns to be independent. The task of parents is to be an example for the baby and show all the movements.

✅ Who walks how

The game will help strengthen the body, and also give a good mood to both the child and adults. There are no hard rules. Just name different animals and try to draw them. Copy the walk and sounds. And let the two-year-old repeat after you. Or make it a little more difficult. Let the child try to guess the animals that you show.

✅ Hide-and-seek with a toy

Ordinary hide-and-seek is difficult to organize in an apartment, especially if there is not enough space. But the 2-year-old kid will definitely like the option with a toy. Take a plush animal or doll. Explain to the child that his task is to find a toy. Hide it first in a conspicuous place, then complicate the task. Be active. Clap your hands, count loudly while the baby is waiting with your eyes closed, comment on his actions, rejoice at the found toy together.

✅ Who is the first

What to do with a child whose energy is over the edge? If the walk is canceled, you can organize active entertainment at home. A great idea is to arrange mini-competitions. Come up with tasks: run to the opposite wall, jump to the closet, crawl to the door on all fours. The victory will be doubly pleasant if you prepare small prizes in advance.

Educational games

Active games are not the only way to entertain a two year old. There are many interesting quiet activities. Master them, and you will learn how to spend time at home with benefit.

Develop motor skills

✅Repeat after me

The easiest option for kids. You can play for up to two years, and as you develop, complicate the tasks. The essence of the game is to show the child various physical actions so that he can repeat. Squat, bend over, raise your hands, clap your hands. Combine two or even three actions at once. This is useful for both coordination and memory.

✅ Bead sorting

The development of fine motor skills is necessary to stimulate speech, so do not neglect finger exercises. Offer your child a fishing line and three types of beads of different sizes. Let him string small ones first, then medium ones, and then large ones. Remember safety. Do not leave the baby unattended when he plays with small parts.

✅ Creativity

Playing with plasticine, modeling dough, kinetic sand helps to develop motor skills. Guide the child. Show him how to make shapes correctly. Don't be upset if it doesn't work the first time. Praise for effort.

Developing logic

✅ Mother - baby

Prepare cards with animals and birds, divided according to the principle "mother and her baby". For example: a cat is a kitten. Let the child collect pairs. Do not forget to comment on the actions during the game. Talk about animals, describe them, demonstrate the sounds they make. So you not only develop logic, but also introduce the child to the outside world.

✅ Guess the object

Take a few things that are familiar to a two-year-old. It can be toys or fruits. Pack them in opaque bags. The task of the child is to determine by touch what is inside. If you can't guess, give hints. For example:

  • edible or not;
  • what it is used for;
    • What color is
  • .

It is easier to develop logical thinking with toys. Parents of two-year-old children should definitely buy mosaics, cubes, large puzzles, plastic construction sets. Collect the figures according to the schemes, repeat the drawings from the pictures with the children. Restrain yourself if the kid is wrong. You can gently guide him in the right direction, but you should not correct him.

Develop speech

✅ Rhymes

At the age of two, children already begin to actively talk. Passive vocabulary is also expanding. This must be used. Long poems are not yet subject to the baby, and short and sonorous rhymes are remembered well. Read the lines to the baby, repeat aloud with him, accompany with active gestures.

For example:

  • The kids came running - ra-ra;
  • A leg up, a step bolder - lei-lei.

If you can't remember the line, have the child repeat the last syllable. The louder and clearer the sound, the better.

✅ Yes or no

In this game you will be asking questions. Warn the child in advance that you can make mistakes so that he obviously does not agree with you, but listens carefully. Ask:

  • Are chamomile and cornflower flowers?
  • Are oak and birch trees?
  • fox and hare are birds?
  • Is a car and a bus transport?

Have the child answer what the objects really are if you make a mistake. Such a game is useful for the development of not only speech, but also hearing, attention, logical thinking.

✅ Articulation exercises

At two years old, many sounds are still unclear. This is not a problem now, but it may be difficult in the future. Game exercises will help to cope with sound pronunciation. You can start with simple actions - blow out a candle, blow on water, blow into liquid through a straw. Then you can connect other exercises for the articulatory apparatus.

  1. Watch. We move the outstretched tongue from side to side.
  2. Hide and Seek. Pull out the tongue and hide it back.
  3. Delicious jam. We lick our lips as if we are trying to reach the drops of sweetness.
  4. Horse. We click, imitating the sound of hooves.
  5. Fence. We show closed teeth as wide as possible.

To make the exercises feel like a game, do all the activities together with your child. Compete who does better.

Read also: speech development in children by age

Developing attention

✅ What is missing

All you need is your favorite children's toys. Take 4-5 pieces and lay them out on the table. Let the child look carefully, and then turn away. You remove one item. The task of the baby is to understand what has disappeared. You can complicate the game by adding a number of items, or do not remove the toys, but simply swap them or put new ones.

✅ Thimbles

Feel like a magician. Take three glasses, turn them over, and hide a candy under one. Move the glasses across the table. Let the baby follow where you hid the treat. Guessed the first time - deserved a sweet prize.

✅Clap

This simple game develops attention, reaction speed, coordination and hearing. Discuss the rules ahead of time. Come up with a code word. As soon as it sounds, the child should clap his hands loudly. Make sure he remembers it, and then start listing other words. Name any until you get to the right one.

Read also: how to develop a child's attention

Educational games

Two years is the age when you can connect learning elements to play activities. The child is already ready for basic knowledge. If you take the time to learn now, in the future it will be easier for the baby to cope with large amounts of information.

Learning Numbers

✅ Animal Treats

Use the plush toys you probably have in abundance. Place the animals at a makeshift table by counting them. Call the numbers loudly, clearly, slowly. So it will be easier for the baby to repeat and remember. Next, put a plate in front of each toy. Treat the animals with sweets, not forgetting to count.

✅ One - many

Need balls. Put them in the basket and ask the child how many there are. At two years old, children already operate with the concept of "a lot." Then distribute the balls one by one to the toys. Take it for yourself, give it to the baby. Ask how many items you currently have in your hands. Return the balls to the basket and ask how many there are. No balls? No problem. Count apples, tangerines, sweets.

✅ Butterflies

It is easier to memorize numbers if there is a good example in front of your eyes. Prepare five cardboard daisies and the same number of butterflies. Place the flowers in front of you and count them with your child. Plant a butterfly on each daisy and count the insects. Come up with different combinations. Plant two or three butterflies per flower. Speak out loud as the numbers change.

Learning colors

✅Ball game

Take colorful balls. Show them one at a time to your child and name the color. Let the two-year-old repeat after you. Sort the balls into groups together. Find other objects of the studied colors in the room. Do not rush to learn the whole spectrum at once. Start with 2-3 shades - the most juicy and brightest.

✅ Find a pair

For this game you need to prepare in advance. Cut out several houses of different colors from colored cardboard. Separately make roofs for them. Lay out the details and invite the child to assemble entire buildings by shades. Another option is to assemble the houses yourself, but with errors. Let the kid correct the inaccuracies.

✅ Hens and Eggs

Cut out chickens in different colors from cardboard. From paper of the same shades, make circles - eggs. The child will match the shades. Start with 3-4 colors. Wait until they are mastered and expand the palette. The more colors, the more difficult and interesting.

Tips for parents

Every child is different and develops at their own pace. Some will like these games even in a year or a year and a half, others will be interested a little later. Keep track of achievements, but do not compare the baby with other children.

Listen to the recommendations of psychologists and teachers on early development:

  1. Focus on the response of the child. Do not insist on continuing the game if the baby is already tired. Do not start training if he is not ready, naughty, wants to spend time differently.
  2. Remember the time. A two-year-old child holds attention for an average of 15 minutes. Then interest disappears, so it is better to change the type of activity.
  3. Do not exercise your baby during illness. Change plans if you feel unwell, wait until you get better. Do not worry. You will be able to make up for everything.
  4. Show your imagination. Ready-made templates and game scenarios are convenient. But it is not a fact that the proposed options, without exception, will please your child. Do not be afraid to deviate from the rules, come up with your own "chips". No one knows your baby and his preferences better than you.

Conclusions

Sometimes organizing outdoor or educational games for a child at home is more difficult than it seems. But lack of time or teaching skills should not be a problem. The Baby Club specialists will come to the rescue. Our network of kindergartens and centers is designed for the harmonious all-round development of children from 8 months. Here, each child is perceived as he is, revealing his individuality through classes.

At what age is a child ready to start learning English?

Contents:

  • 1. Theory №1. The child should start learning English as early as possible
  • 2. Theory №2. The child should be taught English no earlier than 7 years old
  • 3. Where to teach English to a child
  • 4. How to teach your child English at home

Every child is different, so it is difficult to name a universal age to start learning English. In the article, we considered two options for teaching children and asked the opinions of experts - teachers of our school.

Theory №1. A child should start learning English as early as possible

Adherents of this theory say that children from birth to 5-6 years of age can easily learn any language. To learn their native language, they do not need a school, so they can also easily learn English.

Positive aspects of this approach:

  1. The child learns the language unconsciously

    Parents believe that babies learn English as a native language: they listen passively and then reproduce words and phrases in speech. By the age of 7, any child speaks Russian well, despite the fact that he does not understand what the subject, noun, present tense are. The conclusion follows that it is also possible to learn English - naturally and without rules.

  2. The child is not afraid to speak

    Children are not afraid to make mistakes. Toddlers do not have a language barrier, because they are spontaneous and less clamped than adults. They speak without paying attention to their pronunciation or errors in speech. Adults correct them, and gradually the child gets used to speaking correctly.

  3. Children have a good memory

    There is a theory that by the age of 5 everyone has an above average ability in languages. Children repeat everything they hear and quickly memorize new words. Every adult has had such an embarrassment: you say an abusive word in front of a child, and he instantly remembers it and begins to use it in his speech.

  4. It is easier for a child to develop a good pronunciation

    It is also believed that it is easier for a child to learn to pronounce English sounds, since he quickly remembers the correct pronunciation and more easily catches combinations of sounds.

Disadvantages of this approach:

  1. Need a language environment

    The success of the approach is possible if a suitable language environment is created. The child should hear English speech from others every day. This is possible if he lives abroad, one of the parents constantly speaks English or the child has an English-speaking nanny. In the XVIII-XIX centuries. in Russia, representatives of the high society knew French better than Russian. And all because in those days it was customary to invite governesses and tutors from France.

  2. The danger of mechanical learning

    The child still does not know his native language well, he pronounces sentences automatically and does not understand what new words mean and how they fit together. Mechanical memorization of English phrases is not the most effective method of learning a language. Think about it, maybe it's worth waiting until the child grows up and learns English consciously.

  3. It is difficult to create the right mood

    For a preschool child, the right mood is important both at home and in the classroom, but it is not easy to create it. In addition, you will need to find a teacher who knows how to teach through play and instills in the child a love of learning the language.

  4. The risk of spoiling the pronunciation of Russian sounds

    Some speech therapists believe that the study of English sounds can cause poor pronunciation of Russian. They do not recommend learning English until the child has a good pronunciation of the sounds of his native language.

Our teachers' opinions on the question "At what age is it better to teach English to a child?"

Teaching experience: 16 years

Englex experience: 10 years old

Julia

A child can start learning English from birth, if the family speaks several languages.

My daughter showed interest in various videos with songs and rhymes in English at the age of 2.5 (naturally, it was I who suggested them to her). She immediately chose certain ones and then simply demanded to turn them on 20-30 times in a row. Just a couple of weeks later, I started singing them. At this age, children absorb new words and pronunciation at an astonishing rate. But the time came when she was tired of her favorite videos in English and there was an interest in cartoons in Russian. When she was 5, I tried to turn on the same videos, she immediately recognized the picture, the motive, and even sang excerpts, but she could no longer fully reproduce, as before. Which confirms the well-known fact: without constant practice, the language is forgotten.

It seems to me that the earlier a child is introduced to a new language (this is the task of parents), the easier it will be to learn it in the future. The desire of the child himself is also important - do not try to impose at an early age what is not interesting to him, otherwise the result will be negative.

As for learning a language as an activity, from the age of 3-4, children can be sent to courses, but always in a group, and not individually (this is my subjective opinion). At the same time, it is worth weighing the pros and cons very well, given the nature of the child, his readiness to learn and communicate with peers and the teacher. The first experience is the most important!

Teaching experience: 11 years

Englex experience: 4 years

Julia

I can not say that I am an expert, but this topic is close to me. My first education is an elementary school teacher, specializing in English.

You can start teaching a language from the cradle, because that's what happens in bilingual families. And the result is magnificent - the child speaks two languages, as if they were native. But this, of course, is an exceptional option.

In teaching my child, I follow the principle of “do no harm”:

  • do not torture the child and do not cause negativity in relation to the language;
  • do not disturb the psyche and the development of speech in the native language.

When my son was one and a half years old and I made sure that he is developed, sociable, cheerful and already speaks phrases in his native language, I added children's poems, cartoons and songs in English to his program.

Up to 6-8 years old I would recommend only counting rhymes, songs, cartoons and games with parents or in language clubs. It is also important to remember that the pronunciation in these audio and video or the teacher must be at the level, otherwise it will be difficult to correct what has been memorized. Naturally, there can be no question of any writing and grammar with such crumbs.

When can one start teaching a language to a child consciously, albeit fun, but systematically? is an individual question. There are children who are more assiduous and less assiduous, someone begins to talk at the age of one, and someone at three is laconic. There are many nuances, and first of all, parents themselves need to assess what their child is now ready for.

It is worth teaching your child English from infancy if:

  1. You live or intend to live in an English-speaking country and your child needs to know the language to communicate with others.
  2. At home, someone constantly speaks English: one of the parents, grandmother, nanny. In this case, the child will realize that he needs English to communicate with a specific person.
  3. You know how to teach your child knowledge in an unobtrusive and interesting way, or you have found a tutor who knows how to do it.

Theory #2. A child should be taught English no earlier than from the age of 7

Adherents of this opinion believe that foreign languages ​​should be taught at a conscious age, and not torment the child with words incomprehensible to him. Supporters of learning from the age of 7 agree that a child up to 5-6 years old easily learns a language that he constantly hears. But if the child is not in an English-speaking country or his parents do not speak English as often as they do Russian, then a foreign language will not be able to be learned on its own.

Positive aspects of this approach:

  1. The child gets used to learning

    At the age of 7 and older, the child goes to school, so he gets used to the routine. Children become more organized and able to learn, do homework, listen to the teacher.

  2. The child speaks his native language well

    School-age children have a wide vocabulary - they do not need to explain the meaning of words, it is enough to provide a translation into Russian.

  3. The child has formed the pronunciation

    By the age of 7, the child has already formed the pronunciation of the sounds of his native language, so he will not confuse them with English sounds. Moreover, at this age a person has good phonemic abilities, so he can quickly learn how to pronounce the sounds of foreign speech correctly.

  4. It is easier to motivate children

    At this age, children develop hobbies, so you can offer your child a reward system that will motivate him to learn the language. In addition, it is easy to find advantages in learning English: the ability to watch cartoons in the original, read interesting fairy tales and stories, play online games. Find something that will captivate your child, and you will not have to force him to the next English class.

  5. Variety of courses

    Finding courses for children from 7 years old will be easy: they have learned to concentrate on the subject being studied, they have developed interests. With children under 7 years old, it is a little more difficult: it is not easy to attract and hold the attention of a small child, it is even more difficult to get him to do something consciously. Not every teacher will be able to find the right approach to teaching a child.

  6. It is not difficult for a child to overcome the language barrier

    Children at this age are not afraid to make mistakes, they willingly carry on a dialogue with the teacher, they do not think about the accent.

Disadvantages of this approach:

  1. It is more difficult to captivate a child

    If a child can be captivated to learn English by playing, then with a child older than 7 years this approach may be ineffective. You will have to figure out how to motivate the student to learn English. Keep in mind that long-term goals like getting into a foreign university or getting a well-paid job are weak motivation for a child.

  2. Less time for language learning

    Some students are loaded with large amounts of homework, so there may be very little time left for English. However, a way out of this situation can also be found: enroll the child in courses where learning takes place in a playful way.

Our teachers' opinions on the question "At what age should a child be taught English?"

Teacher experience: 10 years

Englex experience: 3 years

Irina

I think that from the age of 7 you can start teaching a child, since at this age the vocabulary of their native language is quickly enriched in children, they actively communicate with their peers. The child already has a sufficiently large stock of knowledge about the world around him, and therefore there are no difficulties in learning new words of the English language if the child already has an idea about this subject or concept.

Teaching experience: 18 years

Englex experience: 8 years

Julia

My personal conclusion: if there is time and opportunity, then why not send the child to a language studio from an early age. However, do not wait for him to suddenly speak. This is a general development that may take off in the future. If it is worth highlighting priority classes, I would give preference to the development of motor skills, music, aesthetic and physical development, and from the age of 6-7 I would connect the study of languages. I now mean the majority of children who learn a language without daily contact with it and regular immersion in the environment.

I see many examples of early language learning. There are children who come after many years of training from the age of 3, and they do not hold a group lesson with children of their age, with whom we have been working for the second year. It happens that in the process they adapt quite quickly and excel the rest, and it happens that they lag behind or simply remain at the level of the rest of the students.

As you can see, we found more advantages in the second approach, but it should be remembered that this is not a hard and fast rule. Every child is different, so the final decision about the best age to start learning English is up to you.

Where to teach English to your child

So, you have decided to start teaching your child English. What to choose: homeschooling, courses or private lessons?

Homeschooling

Homeschooling with a parent is the best option for a child. If your child is not yet 4-5 years old, try to teach him at home. At the end of the article we will tell you how to do it.

You can teach your child English at home if you know the language yourself at least at an intermediate level and use fun learning methods. The child is just starting to get acquainted with a new language, so it is important that this acquaintance is interesting. You do not know English? You can try this option: you go to courses and begin to transfer your knowledge to the child. In our school, many adults learn the language for exactly this purpose: they want to teach English to children, help with homework, etc.

Teaching English in courses

At the age of 3-4 years, the child can be sent to a special kindergarten or early development center with English lessons, and after 7 years - to children's courses. At this age, it is important for children not only to learn English, but also to communicate with their peers, expand their social circle, and perform interesting tasks in a competitive environment.

The main point that you should consider is the level of knowledge of the children in the group. It is important that all children know English in approximately the same way, otherwise the child may be uncomfortable in the classroom.

When your child reaches an intermediate level of English, you can try to send him to a special language camp. This will be a great encouragement and good motivation to further study English, and it will also allow the child to make friends from different parts of the world.

Individual education

We do not recommend starting individual education for children under 7 years of age. Firstly, it is difficult for a stranger to attract and hold the attention of a baby. Secondly, a child may not be interested in such activities: it is one thing to learn a language with the same kids, and quite another to be alone with a stranger.

Individual learning has significant drawbacks: you will need to take your child to a tutor or invite a teacher to your home, which creates certain inconveniences. However, they can be avoided, because there is an alternative - from the age of 9, children successfully begin to learn English via Skype. If you want your child to try this way of learning, sign them up for a free trial lesson. You will be present at this class and will be able to understand if this way of teaching is suitable for him.

How to teach your child English at home

If you know English at least at an intermediate level and you have a desire to teach your child the language at home, follow our recommendations.

1. Playful approach to learning

It is up to you whether your child will fall in love with the English language or whether each lesson will be perceived as hard labor. Therefore, do not impose anything on the child, find such exercises that he will perform with pleasure. Use a game form of learning, not lessons from textbooks. If you can't get your kid interested in learning a language, try waiting until he grows up.

2. Proper motivation

Define a learning goal appropriate for the child's age. For example, watch cartoons and play games in English, read English fairy tales.

3. Short lessons

It is difficult for a young student to sit through 45-60 minutes of studying English, so break the lesson into small segments of 10-15 minutes. A variety of exercises related to movements will also come to the rescue, for example, you pronounce a word in English, and the child performs the indicated action. Also, change activities: study words for 10 minutes, watch a cartoon for 10 minutes, sing a song for 5 minutes.

4. Illustrative pictures

Use Glen Doman's cards, with objects drawn and signed. Find beautiful images of fruits, vegetables, animals on the Internet, print and sign. Children usually remember words easily by associating them with a picture. In addition, you can use the ready-made online dictionary in pictures on the website anglomaniacy.pl. The child will enjoy the game form of learning.

5. Useful games

Today, even 2-year-olds can easily manage their phones and laptops. They enjoy playing simple games and coloring pages. Such entertainment can be turned into a mini-lesson in English, just go to learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org and invite your child to play one of the mini-games. This will not take much time and will allow you to learn a couple of useful words.

In the article "English Learning Sites for Kids" you will find 9 more resources where your child can learn the language in a playful way.

6. Educational cartoons

Watching cartoons is the best way for a child to develop listening skills. Try to offer your kid an educational cartoon about Gogo. The characters speak slowly and clearly, using simple phrases. With fascinating cartoons, learning English for children will definitely not be boring. In the article “How to Learn English from Cartoons: Tips and Useful Links”, we told you why this learning method is interesting and where to watch cartoons in English for free.

7. Short rhymes

By memorizing English verses, the child will expand vocabulary and develop memory. Simple poems for children in English can be found at kenglish.ru.

8. English songs

It's probably hard to find a kid who doesn't like to sing. Lyrics for children's songs work in the same way as poems: the child has fun, develops memory, and remembers useful words. Many simple songs for kids with lyrics and translation can be found at english5kids.russianblogger.ru. If your child is still small, you can include songs for him to listen to. So the baby will get used to the sound of foreign speech from childhood, and some psychologists believe that in this way the baby can even unconsciously memorize some words.

9. Educational videos

Educational videos for children are bright and interesting video lessons. Today on YouTube you can find dozens of channels with exciting and educational videos. We can recommend KidsTV123 and Busy Beavers.

10. Interesting exercises

Older children can do simple tasks and tests. It is important that the exercises are not too difficult and are presented as a game, then the child will not perceive them as another boring homework. Have him do the exercises at englishexercises.org or easygrammar4kids.

11. Fairy tales and short stories

If you are fluent in English yourself, you can read books to your child, for example, good and fascinating stories about Paddington Bear. And if you want your child to listen to exemplary English pronunciation, you can turn on an audiobook. Free materials for children are available at bookbox.com and storynory.com.

12. A good textbook

To prevent your child from associating the word "textbook" with a boring book, choose materials appropriate for his age and interests.

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