About the Online English Teachers

Helping Children Learn Through Stories, Play, and Creativity

Supporting children’s language and literacy development doesn’t have to mean endless worksheets, expensive programmes or hours spent planning activities.

At theOET (the Online English Teachers), we help parents support children aged 3–8 as they build vocabulary, communication, early reading and writing skills through stories, games, crafts and hands-on play.

From a favourite picture book to a printable game or creative activity, our resources make it easier to support children’s learning in ways that are fun, flexible and easy to fit into everyday life.

Less time planning. More time learning, playing and creating together.

Hi, I’m Catherine

Teacher, online educator, home-educating mum and founder of theOET.

A photo of Catherine Wilkinson, the owner of theOET, with coloured circles in the background of red, yellow, and blue.

For over a decade, I’ve worked with children of different ages and abilities, and since 2017, I’ve taught thousands of online English lessons, helping children develop their vocabulary, communication and reading skills.

But some of the most valuable things I’ve learnt about children’s development have happened outside the classroom.

As a home-educating mum of two, I’ve seen how a simple story can spark conversations, introduce new words and inspire a whole afternoon of imaginative play.

I’ve also experienced the less exciting side of planning activities: spending hours searching for resources, preparing materials and trying to find something that’s both educational and enjoyable.

That’s why I created theOET.

I wanted to combine my teaching experience with my love of stories, play and creativity to help other families support children’s language and literacy development without having to plan everything from scratch.

Whether you’re home educating, supporting learning alongside school or simply looking for fun activities, I’m here to make finding and preparing educational resources a little easier.

How We Help Children Learn

Children develop language and literacy skills in many different ways, not just through formal lessons.

At theOET, we bring together three approaches that encourage children to explore, communicate and practise new skills.

📚 Stories That Inspire Learning

Stories introduce new vocabulary, develop listening and comprehension skills, and encourage conversations.

We use picture books, traditional tales and storytelling to inspire activities that extend learning beyond the book.

🎲 Play That Builds Skills

Games, scavenger hunts, sensory activities and hands-on exploration give children opportunities to practise vocabulary, recognise letters and sounds, and develop communication skills while having fun.

🎨 Creativity That Encourages Expression

Drawing, crafts and imaginative play encourage children to share ideas, tell stories and express themselves.

These activities also offer opportunities to develop fine motor control and early writing skills.

What Makes theOET Different

✏️ Focused on Language and Literacy

Rather than trying to cover every subject, our resources focus on helping children develop foundational vocabulary, communication, early reading and writing skills.

⏰ Less Planning for Busy Parents

Find ready-to-use printables, themed activity plans and creative ideas without spending hours searching for resources or deciding what to do next.

🌈 Flexible for Different Learners

Children develop at different rates and have different interests. Our activities can be adapted to suit a range of abilities, learning needs and stages of development.

💛 Affordable and Accessible

We believe supporting children’s learning shouldn’t cost a fortune. That’s why we offer free resources alongside affordable activity packs and our Playful Learning Library membership.

Find Your Perfect Starting Point

Whether you need one activity for today or a whole week of learning planned for you, there’s something to help you get started.

🖨️ Free Resource Library

Discover free activities for children aged 3–8.

Explore a growing collection of printable games, vocabulary activities, crafts and themed resources.

Perfect for trying something new without spending a penny.

ACCESS THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY

📚 Playful Learning Library

Themed learning weeks, planned for you.

Spend less time searching for activities and more time learning and playing together.

Explore ready-made 7-Day Plans, hundreds of printable activities, book recommendations, crafts and hands-on play ideas, all in one convenient library.

Choose a theme. Download your activities. Start playing.

EXPLORE THE PLAYFUL LEARNING LIBRARY

🎨 Printable Activity Shop

Find the perfect activity for today.

Browse individual printable games, early literacy activities, vocabulary resources, crafts and seasonal activity packs.

BROWSE OUR SHOP

🌿 Learning Ideas & Inspiration

Discover new ways to learn through stories and play.

Explore children’s book recommendations, creative activities and practical ideas for supporting language and literacy development at home.

VISIT THE BLOG

Our Mission

To make language and literacy learning affordable, accessible and enjoyable for children and families through stories, play and creativity.

We believe every child deserves opportunities to develop communication skills and confidence in early reading and writing, whatever their family’s budget or learning needs.