ELT METHODOLOGY 2022- 2023

TEACHING VERY YOUNG LEARNERS. CHILD DEVELOPMENT

TASK – Complete the chart below to get an outline of children’s basic development, from three to six years old,
and from six to nine years old. The result will help you understand what you can and cannot expect from
children in these age groups, and think of how you can teach them in ways that are appropriate for their stage
of development.

Put in the right place the different characteristics of children’s development you will find below.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Areas of 3–6 6-9
development
Emotions and Very unstable: can have sudden
behavior tantrums and whims. Begins to cooperate with others.

Feels both insecurity and Has greater control of emotional

omnipotence. ambivalence.

Does not know how to wait, which Is interested in sexual differences.

causes frustration.
Often admires teachers.
Interrupts activities to gain attention.
Intelligence Symbolic thought begins (can
Is more realistic and rational.
substitute drawing for real object).
Becomes more objective.
Thought is subjective and egocentric
Opens up to the outside world.
Confuses fantasy and reality.
Language
Uses tenses correctly.
Can express himself/herself clearly in
L1.
Starts to understand tenses.

Sociability Is egocentric, subjective and

dependent. Initiates relationships with peers.

First contacts with peers are Needs the group for security and
ambivalent (can be aggressive and self-esteem.
friendly to the same person).