teaching three-year old children

[akocela]

I'd like to start "teaching" English my three-year old daughters, but I have no idea what's the best way to do it

[EFLwithlittleones]

Since they are your daughters I shall presume that you spend lots of time with them. Are you a fluent speaker of English? As well as another language? If so I would suggest that you start by simply talking with your children in English. There shouldn't be a problem if you just simply 'switch' to English. Even if there is a bit of confusion at first. Try and make your use of English natural. If you start formally teaching them by making a big thing of the new language and correcting their errors you'll probably put at least one of the children off. There's plenty of evidence to show that children of this age will do the switching naturally themselves. You could also back up your use of English by filling the house with English things, eg. fingerplays, action games, books, songs and age appropriate videos. If you have any English speaking friends or a local playgroup of some kind where English is spoken, that would make a huge difference. In the end the best people to teach them English are nearly always going to be English speaking children. And for you, the best iway is probably always going to be lots of patience, lots of love and of course lots of English. Have fun!

[akocela]

Thank you for your advice! It's very helpful. Unfortunatelly I can't send my children to the kindergarten where English is spoken, because there isn't any, as I live in a small town. Do you know any games for children of that age? Greetings.

[Lorikeet]

I'm not an ESL teacher of children, but I "taught" my kids when they were young. Young kids have a lot of fun trying anything new, and copying their parents. I think reading books is a wonderful way to get them interested. Also, you could teach them the letters using an ABC jigsaw puzzle, blocks, etc. In our house I must have had at least 6 different things that had letters on them. My kids enjoyed playing with them. After my kids knew the letters, we used to play word games. (P-a-t is "Pat", b-a-t is "bat" etc. ) As long as they are interested, it's fun to play. I bet you could eventually put English names on items in your house if you wanted too. There are a lot of songs for kids you might find interesting. I think there may be some on the web. Mostly, have fun.

[akocela]

Thanks a lot. I think that teaching the alphabet and the letters the way you explained is a good idea. Besides, I've found some interesting songs for children. I'm also looking in the web for some games suitable for my kids, who are very lively. Best wishes.