Author: Deb Avery | Published on 1 February 2023

 

Question: How can we develop both language skills and creativity in young learners?

Answer: By encouraging imaginative play in the classroom.

 

Use familiar materials and activities to encourage learners to play imaginatively.

  • Songs

     Ask learners to make up their own versions of familiar songs.

  • Movement

    Use TPR (Total Physical Response) to add movement to songs, and to learn new words. 

  • Puppets

     Encourage learners to use puppets for conversation. 

  • Storybooks

     Get learners to identify with characters and think of new endings to stories.

  • Using realia in new ways

     Use common classroom items in different ways. 

Encourage imagination by asking yourself if there’s another way to do things. What materials or activities can you use to increase imaginative play?

Glossary

Realia:  objects from real life used in classroom instruction by educators to improve students' understanding of other cultures

TPR: Total Physical Response