2.
1
1.C CHILD DEVELOPMENT
YLLs Needs
Children’s characteristics are influenced by
their developmental needs. Young
learners have 3 principle needs that should
be met to stimulate learning:
Physical needs
Social/Emotional needs
Cognitive/Intellectual needs
2.1
1.C CHILD DEVELOPMENT
YLLs Needs
It is essential for the teacher to
understand the implications of the
characteristics and needs of young
learners. These factors will help the
teacher make decisions about:
how the teacher builds a lesson
how to make sure that the young
learners are fully involved in the
learning process
how to go about getting the learners
to achieve lesson objectives
how learners will respond.
2.1
1.C CHILD DEVELOPMENT
YLLs Needs
What are
children’s physical
needs?
Young learners by nature are very
active. Jean Piaget theorized the need
for kinesthetic activity allowing for
children to construct knowledge by
actively interacting with the physical
environment. He further points out that
children learn through their own
individual actions and exploration.
2.1
1.C CHILD DEVELOPMENT
YLLs Needs
The implications for learning are that
children benefit most by knowledge
presented through games, even
though they are not necessarily
aware that they are learning. They
respond to language according to
what it does and what they can do
with it.
2.1
1.C CHILD DEVELOPMENT
YLLs Needs
Learners eagerly explore language to understand it through physical activities.
The choice of activities for presenting and practicing language to young EFL
learners should provide them with bodily-kinesthetic activities:
Total Physical Response (TPR)
Playing games
Singing action songs
Responding by movement
Making things (handicrafts)
Doing project works
Participating in hands on activities
Doing Experiments
2.1
1.C CHILD DEVELOPMENT
YLLs Needs
What are
children’s
social/emotional
needs?
Young learners also need to interact with
others and receive positive reinforcement.
Young learners construct knowledge through
other people. Lev Vygotsky theorizes that
development and learning take place in a
social context.
YLLs apply what they have learned by
exploring language through social
interaction. In order for this to be successful,
they need emotional encouragement through
praise and reinforcement to carry out that
interaction.
2.1
1.C CHILD DEVELOPMENT
YLLs Needs
The implications for L2
learning are that children
need ample exposure to
the target language and
opportunities to
experiment with and
practice it. They also
need praise and positive
reinforcement.
2.1
1.C CHILD DEVELOPMENT
YLLs Needs
The following activities for young language learners
engage them with the target language through social
interaction:
Exposure to graded and authentic
language (audio, video, visitor).
Role plays
Question and answer sessions
Collaboration activities
Project and group work
Participate in daily routine where the learner
has to interact with others.
2.1
1.C CHILD DEVELOPMENT
YLLs Needs
Interaction should also promote emotional,
well being:
Allow the learner to be part of the class
routine by giving them roles and/or
responsibilities. This will expose them to
familiar language and give them a sense
of self-worth.
Encourage and praising learners often.
Guide learners to take new steps.
Encourage learners to work with others.
Help learners feel safe and comfortable
in their environment.
2.1
1.C CHILD DEVELOPMENT
YLLs Needs
Encourage learners to express their
emotions.
Choose age appropriate activities.
Motivate learners through activities that
interest them.
2.1
1.C CHILD DEVELOPMENT
YLLs Needs
What are
children’s
cognitivel needs?
Cognitive development is the learner’s ability
to process the sensory information
collected. These abilities include:
Analyze
Evaluate
Retain information
Recall experiences
Make comparisons
Determine action
Language is important in a child’s cognitive
development. Jerome Bruner claims that
language is the most important tool in
cognitive growth.
2.1
1.C CHILD DEVELOPMENT
YLLs Needs
To encourage the learner’s cognitive
development, language should:
provide opportunities to develop
numeracy skills
provide opportunities to develop
literacy skills
develop the ability to think abstractly
provide opportunities to use language
creatively
2.1
1.C CHILD DEVELOPMENT
YLLs Needs
Some tasks that develop cognitive thinking
skills are:
Making comparisons
Categorizing
Focusing attention
Memorizing
Exploring space, time and numbers
Making associations
Analyzing cause and effect
Solving problems
Creative thinking
2.1
1.C CHILD DEVELOPMENT
YLLs Needs
How are YLs and
adult learners
different?
From what we’ve explored about young
learners, it is evident that YLs learn in very
different ways from older/adult learners.
Some distinctive differences are listed
below:
Young learners are more enthusiastic
and lively.
They want to please the teacher rather
than their peer group
They take risks even when they don’t
know the possible outcome
2.1
1.C CHILD DEVELOPMENT
YLLs Needs
However, they will lose interest more
quickly.
They aren’t able to motivate
themselves if they are not interested
in a task.
They cannot use language to talk
about language.
Their lack of inhibition allows them to
advance at a quicker pace.
2.1
1.C CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Key Terms & Concepts
The key terms and concepts you should know for this lesson are:
capacity for play and fun
capacity for indirect learning
tendency to respond to meaning and the situation rather than to
language
need to feel relaxed/safe
learning from social interaction (with peers and teacher)
using chunks
using limited language at their disposal creatively
some children may already be able or be beginning to understand
abstracts, generalize and systematize
characteristics which vary between children:
learning styles, previous learning experience, L1 background,
motivation, personality, attention spans (depending on
activity and topic)
BEFORE YOU CONTINUE TO THE NEXT LESSON:
• Review the terms and concepts as needed
• Complete the quizzes and check your answers.
