5 Signs Your Child Is Ready for English Classes

 Many parents ask me when their child can start learning English — and honestly, it’s almost never “too early” 👶. Young children absorb language naturally, especially when they hear songs 🎵, join in little routines ✋, or watch older siblings model what they already know ⭐. Younger brothers and sisters often pick up surprising amounts simply because they listen, observe, and enjoy being included. Small instructions like “Clap! ✋”, “Turn around 🔄” or “Give me five! ✋” can become fun habits that gently introduce English into everyday life. The more often it happens, the better it works, and over time these small moments build a positive routine that makes English a natural part of the day 📆.

Here are five clear signs that show your child is ready for English in a playful, age-appropriate way:

1. Your child imitates English words or songs 🎵
Repeating “hello”, counting along with a rhyme, or humming a tune shows curiosity — a natural starting point for language learning.

2. They ask questions about words ❓
Questions like “How do you say that in English?” show growing awareness and interest.

3. They follow short instructions easily ✋
Children who respond well to simple tasks (“Stand up”, “Touch your nose”) usually enjoy the routines used in early English lessons.

4. They enjoy music, movement, and stories 📚
If your child loves songs, dancing, pretend play, or story time, they will thrive in classes that combine all of these elements.

5. They can focus for short, engaging activities ⏱️
A concentration span of 10–15 minutes is ideal for playful beginner lessons.

When children regularly encounter English in playful ways 🎵✋📚 — whether through songs, short instructions, or games — it becomes a familiar and enjoyable habit. Positive feedback 🏆 and small successes ⭐ reinforce their confidence and motivation, and children delight in showing what they can already do. Incorporating English into daily routines and play moments not only helps younger children absorb language naturally but also allows older siblings to shine as role models, creating a shared learning environment at home 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦.

For parents looking for guidance, my courses offer a warm and playful introduction to English 🎵📚. Each session is designed to build routines, encourage curiosity, and provide repeated, enjoyable exposure to songs, movements, and interactive games — making English a joyful and integral part of early learning.

🎉 16 Creative Bingo Variations for Your ESL Classroom

 Make vocabulary practice active, fun, and full of student talk-time!

Bingo is incredibly versatile and can bring real variety into your lessons. It works with any level, any topic, and any age group — and on top of that, kids and adults absolutely love it. Because this little game is such a powerful teaching tool, it deserves its very own blog post!
Here are 16 creative ways to play Bingo with any vocabulary set, whether you’re working on season words, clothes, animals, food, school items, or simple verbs.

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1. Classic Picture Bingo

The well-known version: you call the word, students listen and mark it. Perfect as a warm-up or end-of-lesson activity.

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2. Action Bingo

Turn vocabulary into small movements: pretend to jump, drink, fly, shiver, clap.
Children act it out first — then find the matching picture on their Bingo card.

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3. Story Bingo

Create a short story using all the vocabulary items.
Every time a word appears, students mark the picture on their card.
Ideal for connecting vocabulary with meaningful context.

Find the free printable on my homepage!

=> Idea for a story: 

“First, I put on my hat, my scarf and my gloves. Then I went outside.

I saw snowflakes falling and lots of snow on the ground. I built a snowman and saw some penguins and a polar bear nearby! Is that even possible? 

I grabbed my sled and went to sled down the hill. Wheee! Later, I tried to ski too. Some reindeer were watching me play. 

After playing in the snow, I went inside. I lit a candle and sat by the fireplace. It was warm. I drank some hot chocolate. 

It was a perfect snowy day!”

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4. Challenge Bingo (for older kids)

Use more detailed or abstract vocabulary.
Call:

• definitions (“You wear this when it’s cold.”),

• spelling (“S-T-O-N-E”),

• or What’s Missing? (show pictures → remove one).

• Go outside and make them move.

Great for grades 3 and up.

Find the free printable on my homepage! 

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5. Mixed Skills Bingo

Every round is different — definition, sound, riddle, movement, sentence.

They have to give the definition of their pictures - or give them the definition. 

Fantastic for mixed-ability groups and active lessons.

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6. Whisper Bingo

You whisper the word to one student → it travels around the circle → the last student says it aloud.
If it’s on their card, everyone marks it.
Quiet, funny, and excellent for listening. They love whisper games! Make it more fun by saying the words really strange!

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7. Picture Hunt Bingo

Hide small picture cards around the classroom.
Students search for pictures they also have on their Bingo sheet.
Great for movement and for younger children.

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8. Sound Bingo

Make a sound or use a sound cue (e.g., bell, wind, water, animal noise).
Children guess the picture and mark it.
Works wonderfully with any topic that has recognisable sounds.

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9. Memory Bingo

Show 5–8 flashcards for a few seconds → hide them.
Only then give them thier bingo cards. Students mark down any they remember. Which ones do they have on their card?
A calm concentration game.

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10. Riddle Bingo

Instead of naming the word, give a small riddle:

• “I can fly.”

• “I’m cold and fall from the sky.”

• “You can eat me.”
  Students solve it before marking.

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11. Partner Bingo

Students work in pairs. Give them stripes of words or pictures of the set of vocabulary. 
One describes the picture (“You wear this on your feet”), the other listens and marks it.
Boosts speaking and descriptive language.

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12. Build-a-Sentence Bingo

Call a short sentence that includes the vocabulary word:

• “I can see a penguin.”

• “She is drinking juice.”
  Students identify the picture inside the sentence.
  Great for grammar integration.

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13. Speed Round Bingo

Show a flashcard for exactly one second.
Students must react quickly and locate it on their card.
High energy and great fun.

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14. Reverse Bingo

Students call the words — and you mark them on a teacher Bingo card.
When you get Bingo first, they go wild. Works every time.

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15. Freeze Bingo

Play music → students move around → stop music → call a word.
They freeze like statues and mark it.
Perfect for movement breaks.

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16. Drawing Bingo

Give empty Bingo boxes.
Call the word → students draw it.
First to complete a row wins.
Highly creative and fantastic for deeper vocabulary retention.

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Final Thoughts

These Bingo variations work with any topic, any grade, and any group size. Whether you’re teaching numbers, weather, food, animals, clothing, or classroom objects, Bingo can transform simple vocabulary practice into an interactive, joyful lesson.

Time Travel in the Classroom! 🌟 Fun English Lessons Through History

What if your students could actually travel through time? 

Time travel in the classroom brings history to life while giving your students an unforgettable way to practice English! From Ancient Egypt to the Renaissance and beyond, young learners get to explore, interact, and learn vocabulary in context.

Younger Learners: Building the Time Machine 🕰️
For younger students, you can create a simple “time machine” in the classroom. Use a big cardboard box or a decorated corner with a “Start” button. There’s room to explore different historical settings. For example:

• Medieval times with Galileo as a guide.

• Vocabulary routines built into the journey: students see objects or characters and learn the words.

The goal isn’t just to teach history – it’s to help children retain English words naturally. Fun activities like pointing, labeling, and interacting with characters make vocabulary stick.

My time machine - every student creats his/ her own!

Older Learners: Back to the Renaissance 🎨
Older students can also travel back in time, e.g., the Renaissance. They can:

• Explore historical figures and settings.

• Learn and review vocabulary in context.

• Engage in group games: walking around, repeating words mentally, matching words to objects or actions, and competing in teams.

You can add layers of challenge by:

• Creating short stories set in each era.

• Letting students test each other on vocabulary.

• Including reflection or discussion rounds: “What would you have done if you were in this time?”

• Knowledge test are great, too. Some easy questions, but also harder ones to spike their interest.

Why It Works

• Students actively move and speak while learning.

• Vocabulary is learned in context, not in isolation.

• Time travel sparks curiosity and imagination – two keys for long-term retention.

My Real English Warm-Up Routine: 6 Fun & Quick Ideas for Preschool & Primary Kids

Start your English lesson with energy, smiles, and movement! These 4 mini warm-ups are tried-and-tested in my classroom, using Leopold, Bubblegum, stickers, songs, and playful routines. They’re simple, engaging, and perfect for preschoolers and primary students.

1️⃣ Hello Jingle 🎵

Duration: ~1 minute

Every day begins with our Hello Song. Children sing along, wave, clap, and stamp their feet. This instantly creates a fun atmosphere and grabs attention.

Why it works: Music + movement = engagement from the first second!

Here is the song: "Hello, Hello Jingle!"

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2️⃣ Sticker Check-In 🟡

Duration: 1–2 minutes

Children choose a sticker ("Which sticker do you want?" and then "Which colour do you want?") to place on their personal chart. They share a word or short sentence about their homework:

• “My favourite animal is a snake!”

• “I drew a lion!”

Why it works: Encourages speaking, sharing, and builds routine while using familiar materials.

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3️⃣ Leopold’s Camera 📸

Duration: 1–2 minutes

Introduce Leopold! Say:
“Leopold wants you to see his world today — here are body parts on Bubblegum!”

Why it works: Adds playfulness, imagination, and interactive engagement.

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4️⃣ Quick Vocab 🗣️

Duration: ~1 minute

Recap yesterday’s or recently learned words in a fun way:

• Say words while children clap, point, or act them out: sun ☀️, run 🏃, clap 👏

Why it works: Reinforces vocabulary quickly and physically. For more ideas check out my other blog entry about fun ways to use flashcards!

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How to Use These Warm-Ups

• Time: Each warm-up lasts 1–2 minutes, perfect for a 5–7 minute total routine.

• Materials: Stickers, small drawings, Leopold toy or image, basic song knowledge — already in your class, minimal extra prep.

• Routine Tip: Start every lesson the same way to build familiarity and engagement.

🎨 Colour Adventure – Learn Colours with Action and Fun!

🎨 Colour Adventure – Learn Colours with Action and Fun!

Are you ready for a Colour Adventure? 🌈 In this playful activity, children explore six bright colours – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple – while moving, singing, and laughing together!

🎵 The Colour Adventure Song invites your little learners to touch, jump, clap, meet, and dance whenever a colour appears. It’s a fantastic way to combine English learning with movement, rhythm, and fun classroom energy.

👣 You can use coloured papers, scarves, or toys – anything that matches the colours!
When the song says “Touch something red!” or “Clap your hands!”, children respond immediately. It’s great for listening skills, vocabulary, and following instructions.

📄 Free printable: Download your Colour Adventure sheet on my homepage – perfect for group activities or quick warm-ups:

👉 Free printable here

👉 More Songs on MisdySongs here

📹 Watch the song video on Pinterest and let your students sing and move along – colourful fun guaranteed! 

✨ Ideal for preschool and early primary ESL lessons – easy to set up, full of joy, and always a classroom hit. 

Learn Vocabulary the Fun Way: A Simple Routine for Students

 Learning new words doesn’t have to be boring! Many students struggle to remember vocabulary because they only repeat words on a page, without truly engaging with them. But there’s a simple routine that makes vocabulary learning interactive, creative, and effective.

Step 1: Say it out loud 📚🗣️

Start by saying each word out loud – first in the target language, then in your mother tongue.
Speaking the words in both languages helps students connect sound and meaning, and makes them easier to remember. Encourage repetition – the more the words are heard and spoken, the stronger the memory.

Step 2: Move while recalling 🔄🧠

Walking around or doing a small activity while repeating the words in your head boosts memory retention. Movement increases focus and makes learning more dynamic. This step turns passive memorization into active learning.

Step 3: Turn words into a story ✏️💡

Ask students to create a short story using the vocabulary. Start with words they remember on their own, then check what’s missing. Storytelling not only reinforces meaning but also encourages creativity and contextual thinking.

Step 4: Test and teach each other 🎓📝

Finally, students can create a small test or quiz for a classmate. Teaching others is one of the most powerful ways to deepen understanding and retention. It turns vocabulary practice into a fun, collaborative classroom activity.

By following this routine, vocabulary learning becomes more than rote memorization. Students actively engage with the words, practice multiple skills at once, and build confidence in using new language. Try it in your next class, and watch your students’ vocabulary grow faster than ever!

🪶Word of the Week: the FEATHER!

🪶 Word of the Week: The Feather

Light, soft, and full of magic – our first Word of the Week is the feather!
Discover creative ideas, fun facts, and playful activities to bring this beautiful word to life.

A feather with 8 fun activities around it.
Join the Feather Week! Each day brings a new surprise for kids to explore, play, and learn. 🌈

Follow the Feather Week on Pinterest 🪶 | Find many activities on my Homepage!

What’s Inside the Feather Week

🪶 Feather Story – Leopold and the Magic Feather
Leopold finds a tiny magic feather that talks and floats through the sky. Together they fly past clouds and rainbows, helping a bird family. A small feather can make big magic!

🎭 Free Printable Mini Play
Turn the story into a mini theater adventure! Simple lines, fun movements, and English learning — perfect for kids to act out in class or at home.

🎲 Games by Misdy
Play, trade, and explore English with feathers!

• Feather Quartets

• Who Has the Feather?

• Feather Hunt

🧪 Experiments
Blow a feather, watch it float on water, or let it spin like a tiny helicopter. Fun, simple science play for little explorers!

🎨 MisdyCraft
Create colorful feather masks — perfect for dressing up, playing, and learning new words like mask, feather, and colours.

💡 Fun Facts

• Feathers keep birds warm.

• Made of keratin – like our hair! 💇‍♀️

• Owls fly silently thanks to feathers. 🌙

• Some feathers shine like rainbows! 🌈

🎶 MisdySong
Let’s make the feather fly! When we reach 100 saves, the Feather Song will unlock on my MisdySongs page.

✨ Surprise Bonus & Comic Unlock
If we reach 100 followers on Pinterest or 100 on my blog here — a new Misdy activity or a comic will appear!