IELTS Speaking Lesson about Childhood
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Introduction
Childhood in IELTS Speaking is a tricky topic. In this lesson, you will learn how to talk about your childhood, your toys and life when you were a child.
Table of Contents
IELTS vocabulary: Childhood
To begin, remember that ‘child’ has an irregular plural form
child (singular) – children (plural)Â Â
When we talk about age, we can say,
A child of three
A three-year-old child
(Notice ‘year’ is in the singular, as it is an adjective here)
ADJECTIVES collocations to use with CHILDÂ Â
The following are all good thingsÂ
- well-behaved
- obedient
- gifted
- Talented
- patient
The following are all negative things
- difficult
- naughty
- wayward
- stubborn
- mischievous
- hyperactiveÂ
Childhood (n.) –Â Â Â
Adjective collocations to use with CHILDHOODÂ Â
The following are all good things
- happy
- cheerful
- carefree
- blissfulÂ
The following are all negative things
- lonely
- deprived
- gloomy
- sorrowfulÂ
Childish (adj.) = immature  Â
Noun collocations to use with CHILDISHÂ Â
behavior, attitude    Â
An only child = having no brothers or sisters  Â
In early childhood
Childhood memories/experienceÂ
Child-like enthusiasm / simplicity / delight
(having the qualities like children have, especially innocence)
To respond with child-like simplicity
Child restraint = a seat belt in a car to control/protect a child
Child seat/ car seat = seat for a child in a carÂ
World-wide problems children face:
- The sexual exploitation of children
- Child labor
- Street children (=children forced to beg on the street)
IELTS phrases: Childhood
MORE EXPRESSIONS:Â Â
A. The following all have the same meaning  Â
- I grew up in Manchester Â
- I was brought up in __________Â
- I was raised in __________Â
- I was born and bred in __________ Â
If talking about the country, we can also say,
My motherland is ___________Â Â
B. When talking about family and places, we can use,Â
I grew up in ________
- my birthplace         Â
- a nuclear family
- abroad          Â
- a bustling cityÂ
- a stunning country-sideÂ
- a well-educated family    Â
- a lush green valley  Â
C. Phrases to talk about rememberingÂ
- I remember my childhood wellÂ
- I remember when I was a child, I used to….Â
- I recall _____Â
- I have a clear/ vivid memory of______Â
- I have fond memories of my childhood, especially ________Â
- I vividly remember ___________Â
- I often reminisce about my childhood
NOTE:
- The smell of the sea always reminds me of my childhood holidaysÂ
- Reminisce about (v.)
- Reminiscence (n.)Â
- Memory (n.)
Remember, when studying vocabulary, always try to
- learn phrases, not just words
- learn in context
- practice saying out the words
- make notes so you can revise later
IELTS Speaking: Childhood activities
Things you did as a child​
We usually played made-up games / pretend games Â
We would play on the swings and roundabout in the park.Â
We often played hide and seek Â
If my memory serves me right, I used to play in the streets back then! Â
As far as I can remember, we played football on most days. Â
We often played chess  Â
I ‘played house’ with my friends  Â
We used to while away the hours playing games  Â
To while away the hours  = to pass the time idly / in a slow and relaxed way.  Â
Past habits Â
I used to go to the park with my friends Â
We would often sit there for hours, chatting away.  Â
It wasn’t uncommon for us to play football in the park and then hang out until tea time.  Â
I often played outdoor activities with my friends Â
We got up to all sorts of things, like chasing mice, playing in the mud, and things like that.  Â
To get up to  = to be involved in (often surprising things) Â
Examples of childhood games and toys:Â
- Catch
- Tig
- Tag   Â
- Blindfold game   Â
- See-saw
- toy cars                       Â
- mini-kitchen set                             Â
- stacking toys                     Â
- geometrical shapes                             Â
- lego                             Â
- action figures                             Â
- jigsaws( puzzles)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- mini-microscope                            Â
- soft-toys                             Â
- crayons                             Â
- Play doh                              Â
- board games                            Â
- ludoÂ
- building blocksÂ
Children and toys
When I was bored I played a board game (both words pronounced the same) Â
I wouldn’t let go of my favourite doll / plush toy Â
I was obsessed with my train set  Â
I loved my chess set Â
I was tethered to my iPad (=connected) Â
I would go everywhere with my bike Â
My bike was everything to me Â
My sister loved her Barbie doll and my brother loved his action figure  Â
I was addicted to my PlayStation / video games / my Rubik’s cube  Â
I was a big fan of playing cards Â
What I loved more than anything else was to play with my crayons and draw pictures  Â
I could spend hours doing jigsaws  Â
My favorite toy was a remote-controlled racing car Â
How life was different for children in the past​
Kids are certainly not safer nowadays due to… Â
…the increased crime rate Â
…more kidnapping  Â
…an increase in cyberbullying  Â
…excessive traffic leading to more kids getting knocked over  Â
…high pressure which leads to mental health problems Â
Children are less willing/reluctant / to have dinner with their families   Â
Children are not so enthusiastic about having dinner with their families There is less communication within families because everyone is tethered to their mobile phone, leading to fewer family meals  Â
Parents have less time for their children, and so children have less time for their parents! Â
Kids have fewer meals with their parents because there are fewer set routines nowadays, so it is hard to have a fixed time for dinner when the whole family can sit down together. Â
More women are in the workforce, so it is not uncommon for both parents of a nuclear family to be working, leaving many children alone and feeling more lonely than before. Â
Kids spend so much time on their computers and may not be aware of how little time they are spending with their friends. Â
Children are more aware of nutrition but are not necessarily eating more healthily   Â
Children can get lots of information about health, but they are still attracted by fast food because it is marketed so well to children Â
More Free Lessons
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