Disclosure: This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.
Some children can't wait for the first day of school to begin, while other young children have a more difficult time making the transition from summer to "back to school". Today I'm sharing some simple books with a school theme that are especially appropriate for very young children (infants, twos, and threes). The simplicity of these texts, along with their vibrant pictures, allows for a great opportunity to discuss what your child might expect in school - whether it's his first time in a new school or are a returning student.
Books About School: Top Picks for Young Children
All of these books can help young children understand the ins and outs of the school day routine. What is also so great is that they are easy to read with very young children who might be in a day care setting, but are interesting enough for preschool students who might be returning to school after a summer break.
Click on the picture or link to find out more information on Amazon.
My First Day of Nursery Schoolby Becky Edwards and illustrated by Anthony Flintoft
Bloomsbury USA (2004)
by Robert Neubecker
Hyperion Book reprinted (2011)
We Love School by Marilyn Janovitz
NorthSouth Books (2007)
by Lucy Cousins
Candlewick (2010)
Let's Go to Schoolby Fisher Price (TM); Doris Tomaselli
Reader's Digest (2009)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Tips for reading these books to your child:-----------------------------------------------------------------
- Point out how your child's school will be similar to or different from the classroom's in these books.
- Talk about how the characters are feeling in the books. Relate these feelings to how your child is feeling about going to school.
- Use the books to help you describe to your child the types of activities that she will do in school.
- Identify behaviors in the books that are expected of children who are in school.
- Observe any friendships between characters in these books, and talk about making new friends.
By reading these books with your child and using these read aloud tips before you snap that "FIRST DAY OF" picture, you are giving them a head start on being ready to learn. I hope these books are a wonderful beginning to your child's school year!
What books do you read before school begins?
Reading to an active little toddler requires a certain skill set. Today my post is for parents who feel like it's impossible to get their child to sit down to read for even a second.
If your toddler is anything like mine, he's climbing on the tables and chairs, throwing balls (or sometimes less gentle objects like blocks), and coloring in places he's not supposed to. One second he wants up. The next second he wants down....and what he definitely doesn't want is to sit still.
So reading a story together? That takes actual effort! On my part, and his.
What can you do when your toddler is more interested in climbing the coffee table and throwing books, than reading them on your lap?
Here are my best tips for reading with that busy toddler that I have found to work well. Follow these suggestions and I bet you'll begin to connect in ways that make reading more enjoyable for the both of you.
- Do an activity or craft before you read together to spark interest in the story. Make connections from your activity while you are reading for additional learning and repetition of concepts.
- Make reading aloud a more fun experience. Your child doesn't want to sit still? Then don't! Act out the story, use puppets, sing the words, or play games while you read. The bonus of this technique is that your toddler will be motivated to read again.
- Let your child take the lead. Allow him to select a book that is interesting to him. If he seems more interested in the pictures than listening to the story, take a picture walk through the book instead of reading the words.
- Take advantage of meal times when your child is likely to be strapped in his high chair. Sneak in a story before, during, or after his meal. Reading while eating is better than flipping on that TV!
- Read before bed when your toddler is likely to be “played out”. There is evidence to show that bedtime routines that include stories aid in language development.
- Did your little one “read” a book all by himself? Initiate reading on his own? Recognize a job well done. Give your child praise when appropriate which will help him associate accomplishment with the act of reading.
- Select books that connect to something going on in your life at the time. For example, if you are taking a vacation to the beach, read books about the ocean or sea animals. If the story is relevant, he'll more likely be interested in it.
- Get rid of the idea of what a read aloud "should" look like. It's wonderful if your child sits in your lap while you read like you see in all of your Pinterest pins. Life isn't always ideal though. Read aloud while your child is playing. Even if it seems like he's not listening, he might be more than you think. He might even surprise you and wander over into your lap as you read, creating that picture perfect moment.
- Read the same story over and over. If your toddler has a favorite book that he actually CAN sit still to listen to 100 times in a row - that's OK! Children learn through repetition. In this post, I share ways to keep the learning going, even when it's the 100th read through!
There will be good days, there will be bad days but aim for 20 minutes EACH DAY.
You will be so delighted you put forth the effort!
David Domke is Professor of Communication and Head of Journalism at the University of Washington. Kevin Coe is a doctoral candidate in Speech Communication at the University of Illinois. They are authors of the The God Strategy: How Religion Became a Political Weapon in America. To learn more about the book check out their handy website here. In the article below Domke and Coe reflect on Mitt Romney’s “Faith in America” speech.
Mitt Romney’s much-discussed speech about “Faith in America” made one thing crystal clear: he believes liberty is a gift from God. (more…)
Share This
Lotta Anderson featured in Blueprint
First of all Bradley's reaction to my living room "reveal" was very good, I think he said "holy smokes!" and loved it. The place is feeling much homier these days with just a bit of sorting, cleaning and lots and lots of painting.
The second thing that I wanted to tell you is that I picked up the September/October Blueprint and found an article about Lotta Anderson (of Lotta Jansdotter). I'm a big fan, as I'm sure many of you are as well so I thought you might like to know. I scooped up a copy and am so inspired by the stylish and artistic decor in her home and her work space in particular. The pendant lamp in her living room is exactly what I had in mind for our living room:
Lotta's living room featured in Blueprint
Now I just have to find it. If anyone knows somewhere in Toronto that stocks them please let me know!
Thirdly, I was surprised yesterday to find some clothes at Gap Body made with Liberty fabric! They also had some headbands and hair elastics with flowers also from Liberty fabric. I bought a nightie made with the gorgeous (poorly photographed) pattern above.
And finally our bathroom is not ready for a "reveal" but is dramatically improved so I'll give you some glimpses. First of all, here are some snaps of the "before". There was a bulky melamine cabinet over the toilet, bright yellow walls and matching shower curtain, with peeling paint revealing a Pepto-Bismol pink layer of paint underneath. There was a caramel colour shelf along one wall, and we put up a plain mirror temporarily. There is also an old washing machine and very old clawfoot tub. I love the clawfoot tub but it will need a bit of work - more on that in a later post.
First of all we replace the box flourescent fixture with a simple round flushmount. Then we painted the walls cil's "wedding white" which I think is the perfect white, not too creamy/yellow and not too cool/stark. Very similar (I can't tell the difference from the chip) to Benjamin Moore's "swiss coffee". We removed the extra shelving on the walls throughout and lots of odd hooks that were stuck on the walls to hold clothes drying lines, etc. The shower curtain and red rug are from IKEA. We also installed a nice new chrome towel bar and toilet roll holder.
After a surprising amount of effort we finally found a medicine cabinet we liked, this one is from Home Sense. I'd like to add a glass handle to it later, but it has a nickle one now that is perfectly fine.
And finally, the nice plain wall over the toilet (that's right I'm showing you a picture of our toilet). We may add artwork here later but for now it's nice to have an uncluttered wall. The cabinet that was there seemed to kind of be looming if you know what I mean. For storage there's a linen closet in the hallway - a new luxury for us! So I can pretend I'm a minimalist...
Still to do: window curtains, new plumbing for the tub (it leaks and has old wonky brass piping), including a new tub faucet (the old one is chrome laminate and a bit peely) a new showerhead, and a new pedestal sink/faucet to replace a melamine vanity. Also we'd like to do new flooring and install a new washer/dryer (there isn't really another place in the house to put them.) Finally if possible I love the look of beadboard wainscotting and light sconces - but we'll have to see how we do with the budget!
I found the most fun and creative gal who has a talent with food and I just have to share it with you here, here and here. Wishing you a happy 4th of July! God Bless America and pray for the safety of our troops until they can return home.
Originally uploaded by !a.k.a.Maggie!
Good on you for going for it! You've made a lot already and they're all very beautiful
I also plan to try to a christmas craft table this year which reminds me that I need to contact the women who organizes it.
I like the barkcloth fabric you chose for the messenger bag.
Did you order the iron in labels? If so, from whom did you order. Thanks
I live in the toronto area and wondered what craft sales you were planning on selling at?
The bag with the village on it is really cute!
here's a tip for sniping that someone taught me....
have 2 windows open. one of them just to keep refreshing the item. the other one, you have your bid already typed in and ready to click confirm. be sure you are on that very last confirm window. then just keep hitting refresh until the last 2 seconds. then quickly click ok. the only problem with this strategy is you have to know your absolute limit. because you won't have a second chance to enter another amount. just remember, you have to be in that second confirmation window when you have your amount in, not the first. hope that helps! :)
I like the scenic fabric. Hope you do well on your plan with the Christmas table.
wow u've been sewing up a storm! All the stuff looks great.
I'm making zippered pouches this year for Christmas gifts and your beautiful ones are so inspiring! Love those fabrics. And that circus bag is fabulous.
your pleated bags are wonderful! good luck with your craft sale.
I'm with Margaret! Where are you going to be? A local church? One of a Kind? Signatures? Wherever you sell I'm sure it will be a huge success. Please make sure to let us know so we can come support you!!
GORGEOUS BAGS!!! I love the barkcloth ones. I totally want that first messenger bag. Good luck with the sale!
I love these bags, I love your determination to make this business happen, and if I lived nearby I would come to your table and buy things from you....