First English words for children: colours, numbers, animals, and the body

Children's first English words should be things they can see and touch every day: colours, numbers, animals, and their own bodies. These words are easy to repeat through play and quickly turn into short sentences.

Colours

red, blue, yellow, green, orange, purple, pink, black, white, brown. Turn them into sentences: “My bag is blue.”, “I like red.”, “The apple is green.”

Numbers 1–10

one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Count together while climbing stairs, picking up toys, or setting the table: “One plate, two plates…”

Animals

cat, dog, bird, fish, cow, horse, sheep, duck, lion, elephant. Play an animal-sounds game: “What does a cow say? Moo!” Children with a pet can introduce it: “This is my cat. Her name is Pamuk. She is white.”

Body parts

head, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, hands, arms, legs, feet. Play with commands like “Touch your nose!”; the child hears the word and shows it by touching.

A tip

Add only a few words each day and review earlier words through play. Hearing a word in different situations is what makes it stick.

To keep going, see English games for children by age (3–7) and Family members in English and introducing your family.

Frequently asked questions

How many new words should my child learn a day? A few are enough. Reviewing earlier words through play matters more than adding new ones.

Should I teach words with pictures or real objects? Use real objects and movement when you can; pictures and cards are useful for review.