[jenniferp]

I started new classes a few weeks ago with 6 & 7 year olds. My main idea was just to try and get them to feel comfortable around me and not stress them with talking too much English but also to see what they did know and could say.
Mesmark is right in that introductions at that age aren't part of regular conversation, my classes had all been taught the formulaic response to "How are you?" - "I'm fine thankyou and you?" so I played a silly mingle game where we all walked about introducing ourselves and shaking hands. They actually found this quite amusing and it helped to stop that first effort at speaking being too awkward.
You could take a beanbag or soft toy and try out the "My name is --------" activity, passing or throwing the toy to another student getting them to use the language.
I would also take lots of flashcards and objects to try and get them to open up. With one class (not this teaching year) for the first few weeks I found myself being accompanied by soft toys as the kids were so young and petrified of me that it helped to have something cute and cuddly to play with and build a bridge with them.
Good luck. It's going to be really fun!