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What are Hello and Hi?
Hello and Hi are simple words we use when we meet someone. We say these words to start a talk. Children can say "Hello" or "Hi" to friends and family. "Hi" is short and friendly. "Hello" is a little more polite but both are good. You can use them at the door, in the classroom or on the playground.
How to say them well
Teach children to smile and look at the person when they say Hello or Hi. A smile makes the greeting warm. Use a clear voice so others can hear. Show children how to add a name: "Hello, Priya!" or simply "Hi!" Practice saying the words with different tones — cheerful for friends and respectful for elders.
Activities for practice
Play simple games where one child enters a circle and says Hello to each child. Use puppet plays: the puppet says "Hi" and the children reply. Repeat often so the words become natural. Encourage children to use Hello or Hi when they meet classmates, teachers and family members. This small habit builds good manners and helps children feel confident when speaking in English.
Greetings for different times of day
We use different greetings at different times. Say "Good morning" in the morning, when you first meet people after waking or arriving at school. Use "Good afternoon" after lunch and before evening, for polite greetings in the middle of the day. "Good night" is used in the evening when people are leaving to sleep; it is not a hello but a farewell for bedtime. Teaching these helps children learn to notice time and be polite.
Why these matter
Saying the right greeting at the right time shows respect and helps adults see that a child is well-mannered. At school, children greet the teacher with "Good morning" on arrival. At home, they say "Good night" before sleeping. When visitors come after noon, "Good afternoon" is the right polite greeting. Practise the words in role-play to build confidence.
How to practise
Make a daily routine: each morning ask children to greet the class with "Good morning." Play a matching game with picture cards showing morning, afternoon and night and ask which greeting fits. Encourage children to say the full phrase: "Good morning, Ma'am" or "Good night, Papa." Repetition and gentle correction will help them use these greetings naturally and at the correct time.
How to leave politely
When we go away, we say "Goodbye" or "Bye." These words tell the other person that we are leaving. We can also say "See you" when we will meet again or "See you tomorrow" if we plan to meet the next day. Saying goodbye politely makes others feel respected and ends a talk in a friendly way.
Using different goodbye words
"Goodbye" is a standard farewell used with adults and teachers. "Bye" is shorter and often used with friends. "See you" is friendly and shows you expect to meet again. Teach children to wave, smile and speak clearly when they say goodbye. A warm goodbye helps keep friendships strong.
Practice and real life
Make role-plays for school leaving: the bell rings and children say "Goodbye, teacher" and walk out. In playtime scenes, children can say "Bye" to a friend going home. Practice saying "See you tomorrow" to build anticipation of meeting again. Encourage polite tone and eye contact so goodbyes feel sincere and kind.
Polite words for asking and thanking
"Please" is a word we use when we ask for something. It makes the request kind and shows respect. "Thank you" is used when someone gives us something or helps us. Saying these words shows good manners and makes people feel happy to help.
How to use them
Teach children to put "please" at the start or end of a request: "Please give me the pencil" or "Give me the pencil, please." Teach that after someone gives help or a gift, we say "Thank you." Practice short exchanges: someone asks with please, the other gives the item and the first says thank you. Also show the reply to thanks: "You are welcome," which is polite and kind.
Games and habits
Use everyday moments to practice: snack time, sharing toys or asking for help. Make a thank-you wall where children paste a small heart each time they use the word. Play a puppet show where a puppet is shy and learns to say please and thank you. Reinforce that polite words are small but make a big difference when making friends and showing respect to teachers and elders.
Words to correct mistakes and get attention
We say "Sorry" when we make a mistake or hurt someone by accident. Saying sorry shows we care and that we want to make things right. "Excuse me" is used to get someone's attention politely or to ask to pass by. Both words help keep behaviour kind and respectful.
When to use sorry
Teach children to say "Sorry" if they bump into a friend, spill water, or say something wrong. A sincere "Sorry" often helps calm the other person. We can also add "It was not on purpose" or offer to help fix the mistake, for example: "Sorry, I will clean it."
When to use excuse me
Show children to say "Excuse me" when they want to ask a question in class, to pass between people, or when they need attention from a teacher. Use a polite tone and gentle voice. Practice role plays where one child needs to move between desks and says "Excuse me." Repeat the exercises until the children feel comfortable using these phrases in real life.
Checking how someone feels
We ask "How are you?" to know if someone is well. It is a friendly question we use when meeting people. For young children, teach simple answers like "I am fine," "I am good," "I am happy" or "I am sad." Add "thank you" for politeness: "I am fine, thank you."
Teaching feelings words
Use picture cards showing happy, sad, tired or sleepy faces. Show each card and ask the class: "How are you?" Children can point and say the correct short sentence. Teach children to listen and respond with a smile if the person is happy or to show care if someone says they are sad: "I am sorry. Get well soon."
Practice dialogues
Make pairs and let children practise short exchanges: A: "How are you?" B: "I am fine, thank you." Then swap roles. Also practise classroom situations: the teacher asks and one child answers for the class. Encourage clear speaking and gentle voice. Using these phrases often will help children develop social habits and show kindness to others.
Talking about names
We ask "What is your name?" to learn someone's name. The reply is "My name is ..." Teach children to say their name clearly and to listen when others say their names. Say a full friendly sentence while introducing: "Hello, my name is Riya." This helps when meeting new classmates or visitors.
Practice introductions
Use simple classroom activities where children sit in a circle and one by one say their name. Use name cards or stickers so each child sees and remembers names. Teach the polite follow-up phrase: "Nice to meet you." Practice both asking and answering so children feel confident. Also point out that when someone asks another's name, we should look and listen carefully.
Why learning names matters
Knowing and using names helps children make friends and work in groups. It also teaches listening, memory and respectful behaviour. Encourage children to practice at home with family: they can introduce themselves to a new visitor: "Hello, my name is..." With practice, children will use these phrases naturally and politely in school and outside.
Putting greetings together
This topic helps children join the words they have learned into short talks. Use small dialogues such as meeting a friend, introducing yourself to a teacher, or saying sorry if you bump someone. Keep dialogues short and clear so children can remember the order and the polite words.
Classroom activities
Use puppets or role-play in pairs. One puppet can be a teacher and the other a student. Practice dialogues like: A: "Good morning, teacher." B: "Good morning, child." Or: A: "Excuse me, may I come in?" B: "Yes, please come in." Use repetition and fun voices to make practice joyful. Also use picture cards with scenes (playground, classroom, home) and ask children to choose the correct greeting for each picture.
Building habit
Do a daily morning routine where children greet each other and the teacher. Sing short greeting songs or choral responses to make phrases stick. Encourage children to use polite words at home and in school. Regular practice helps these small dialogues become natural and helps children communicate confidently in simple English.