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?