This book is a fantastic opportunity for animal sounds, with most animals easily recognizable for littles (and a couple of "tricksy" ones thrown in). Older kids enjoyed it just as much as the littles, suggesting other animals that might make those noises (yes, buddy, I guess a werewolf DOES growl...) Fun stuff!
Making animal sounds is an important step in language development, since they are simple for littles to repeat. The process of associating sounds with pictures (“meow” = cat) is foundational for literacy. Older kids can use their imagination and classification skills to suggest other animals that might make the sound. And everyone can get in on the fun of naming animals that aren’t in the book, then making those sounds, too!
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It's My Bird-Day!
by Mo Willems
Party hat, check. Hot dog cake, check. It’s our favorite Pigeon’s bird-day! But, wait. What do you mean he has to SHARE it with the Duckling?!
"Oh, I liked that book!" With counting and transportation, what’s not to like? From 1 to 10, with planes, trains, and automobiles, and different colors to identify, littles have lots to see and absorb. Meanwhile, older preschoolers will enjoy guessing what vehicle is coming next, and they'll find that it’s not as easy as they might think!
"Rain brings sun and sun brings rain. Then it turns around again.” Rainy days are great for soup and cozy inside activities. Sunny days are great for ice cream and outdoor adventures. But what happens when rain (or sun) goes on too long?
Dragons love tacos. They love chicken tacos, beef tacos, great big tacos, teeny tiny tacos... Unfortunately, where there are tacos, there is also salsa. And if a dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa . . . oh, boy. You're in red-hot trouble.
Make tacos! I’ve said before, and I’ll say again (and again, and again...): Cooking together is a fantastic early-lit activity. Reading the recipe; making a shopping list; finding the items – all are obvious literacy skills. Measuring = math skills. Following the recipe’s steps = sequencing skills. Mixing, stirring, cutting (as your child’s skills allow) = fine-motor skills, hand-eye and bilateral coordination.
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Gardening
Quiet in the Garden
by Aliki
Get ready to look and listen. Get ready for fun in the quiet garden. Sitting quietly in his garden, a little boy observes the eating habits of birds, bugs, butterflies, and other small animals.
Have your child identify the animals and colors in the book. Then, plan a visit to the Buxton Park Children’s Garden to look and listen for colors and animals and sounds that are like the ones in the boy’s garden in the book. Ask questions and talk with your child: what do you see that is the same? What do you see that is different? Where might the animals be hiding, if you don’t see them?
Your child can earn prizes for reading this summer...and you can, too! Pick up your reading logs at our Summer Bash on May 28, or anytime after, and start earning rewards. Read with or to your child for 20 minutes or more every day, and it counts on both of your logs!
