1. Don't worry if the child does not talk for some months.  Involve them in all activities, continue to talk and use smiles, gestures and eye contact. Give opportunities for speaking but no pressure.

2.Help the child understand simple classroom phrases such as 'can I have...?'. 'wash your hands', 'sit on the carpet', 'put on an apron'.

3. Involve the child in a variety of hands-on activities with other children so they can learn the new language in context.

4. Use visual aids to support stories, songs and talk. For example, pictures, objects, photographs and puppets.

5. Use every activity as basis for your communication with the child in meaningful contexts.

6. Talk through what you are doing so the child can hear plenty of structured language in context with visual support.

7. Keep language direct, simple and consisten. Try to avoid idioms and sayings, for example, 'it's raining cats and dogs'.

8. Make sure resources show positive images of the child's home culture, for example, books, dolls, toys, games, role play. Use dual language texts and signs.

9. Provide taped stories and songs in English and in the home language if possible.

10. Help all the children to learn a few simple words in the home languages represented in your setting. For example, hello, thank you, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. If possible, ask parents and carers to help with this.

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