When teaching English to Young Learners or kindergarten-aged children, the right resources – used at the right time – can have a big impact on their learning.
Those resources don’t need to be expensive, perfectly crafted, or bought from a toy shop. In fact, some of the most effective resources are the ones the children help make themselves. For example, they can create their own name cards for the What’s Your Name? rhyme or craft little fish to use when singing Ten Little Fish. Children love making and then using their own creations – it gives them a sense of pride and ownership.
So, how do you choose the right resources for Young Learners? Which ones work best, and which will you find yourself reaching for lesson after lesson? Here are 10 tips:
1. Make resources appealing
Resources should be visually appealing and motivating. Before using one, ask yourself: If someone used this to teach me, would I feel excited and eager to join in?
For example: if you’re using a bucket in a game, wrap it in colourful paper, add ribbons, or choose one in a bright colour. Children will be much keener to participate with something eye-catching than with a plain grey bucket. Similarly, decorate a cardboard box rather than leaving it dull, and replace ordinary counters with shiny stones. Often, the simplest, cheapest ideas work best – you just need to think creatively.
2. Use resources that reflect the children’s interests
This isn’t always easy, but when you can tie resources to what the children are already interested in, the payoff is huge.
If your class is fascinated by dinosaurs, for example, introduce a dinosaur-themed story, or create a collaborative dinosaur craft project.
3. Puppets – a fantastic resource!
Puppets are a wonderful classroom tool. They’re fun and engaging, and they can take the pressure off shy children who might otherwise stay quiet.
If you feel a little nervous yourself, a puppet can help by shifting the children’s attention away from you. Children often feel more comfortable speaking “to” a puppet than directly to you.
For example, have the puppet ask: “Can you help me count?” Or pretend it’s shy and will only say hello if everyone is quiet – this is a clever way to keep noise levels down.
You don’t need to buy one, either: make your own with a sock and some stuck on eyes, or a paper bag and a marker, or even draw a face on your finger with a little tissue hair.
4. Use realia whenever possible
Whenever you can, use real objects. If you’re teaching the names of fruits, bring in real fruit to touch and smell – or invite children to bring a piece from home (with parental permission if they’ll be eating it).
5. Avoid formal worksheets
Worksheets can feel intimidating, like a test. And just because a child fills one in correctly doesn’t mean they truly understand the material.
Instead, keep worksheets informal – use them as a light support for your main activity, and assess children continuously and informally to get a fuller picture of their progress.
If you’re in a teaching context where parents expect neat, completed worksheets, try to explain that worksheets alone don’t show everything the child has learned. If you do have to use them, use them sparingly alongside other assessments.
Looking for ready-made Young Learner lesson plans? Have a look at our Resource Packs:
6. Create a home–school link
Encourage children to bring something from home – such as a favourite toy animal when learning animal names. This makes them more comfortable and gives even shy children something to talk about.
To avoid lost or broken toys, ask parents to label everything clearly, and keep items safely in a box until it’s time to show them.
7. Keep and record your resources
Get into the habit of keeping a record of which resources you used and how well they worked. Store them neatly so they’re ready next time.
There’s nothing more frustrating than spending time making something, only to find it damaged or misplaced when you need it again. Even songs, rhymes, and game instructions deserve to be filed away properly.
Over time, you’ll build up a go-to library of reliable, creative resources – making your planning faster and easier.
8. Share resources with other teachers
Swap ideas and materials with your colleagues. They might suggest a new way to use a resource you’ve been struggling with, and you can offer your own tips in return.
This kind of sharing benefits everyone – and your students too.
9. Make tidying up fun
Turn tidy-up time into a game. Set a timer and challenge the children to finish before it runs out, or count aloud to a set number while they put things away.
Children will naturally join in the counting, adding a little more English practice to the lesson – and they’ll see tidying as part of the fun, not just a chore.
10. The most important resource of all – You!
And finally, the most important resource in your classroom is you.
If you bring enthusiasm and energy to your lessons, the children will feel it too. Don’t be afraid to sing, act, dance, and have fun with them – your positivity is infectious, and you’ll see the results in their smiles, confidence, and progress.
