Supporting Children with English as an Additional Language gives educators ideas and ways to use the creative arts to support the communication and language development of children learning English as an additional language (EAL) in early years settings.
The book aims to help educators and students to feel more confident in their knowledge and ability to support children who are new to English. It’s packed with activities that focus on the creative arts and encourages educators to develop children’s language and communication skills as they play.
The creative activities are presented in a very accessible format that educators can dip into and return to as an ongoing resource throughout the early years.
The activities cover:
- Singing – which encourages children, as their language emerges, to join in with repeated refrains and familiar words
- Listening and Music – which helps children to distinguish between sounds, communicate non-verbally, and boost their confidence
- Visual Art – which enables all children to express themselves creatively
- Movement and Drama Games (using props and puppets) – to help children to develop beyond language barriers
This book references Australia’s National Quality Framework (ACECQA, 2017).
About the Authors:
Bridie Raban was the Foundation Mooroolbeek Professor of Early Childhood Studies at the University of Melbourne. She is currently an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education and in 2021, she was awarded an Honorary University Fellowship by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU). Her past research has focused on language and literacy development, teacher change and development, curriculum and assessment for the early childhood years and quality provision. She was the first Professor of Early Childhood Education in Victoria and the second in Australia, and before this she was Professor of Primary Education (Early Years) at the University of Warwick and President of the UK Reading Association.
Judith Harries is a writer, editor and teacher, living and working in Northampton, UK. She contributes to several early years magazines, including Practical Pre-School and Early Years Educator. She is currently studying for an MA in Music Psychology in Education.
