A friend called just last week and asked for reading advice for her friend whose son is struggling in reading. I modified a presentation I developed a year ago for our kindergarten parents titled “Teachers & Parents: Working Together to Promote Independent Readers” and thought that someone out there might find it useful. As with all other links, you can access it by clicking on the title. Please let me know if you’d like anything clarified.
Archive for Kid’s Education
books for baby
“There are so many books out there! How do I wade through the choices?” I was asked that all the time as an elementary school reading specialist… For babies, first check out your local library. Look for books that have big brightly colored illustrations with few words on a page. As babies get older and more interactive, they love lift-the-flap books. Books that rhyme are also wonderful so that little ones memorize them and quickly learn how books work. Don’t feel that your toddler isn’t really reading because he has the book memorized. He is learning so much from just holding the book in his hands, attaching text to illustrations, and turning the pages, so encourage repeated readings. Next, buy books at yard sales, consignment shops, and stores like TJ Maxx. Finally, if you’re fortunate enough to add books to your baby registry or have a wish list, apply the same principles as mentioned above. Below are just a few of my favorites.
Baby
- I Love Colors by Margaret Miller
- God Made You Nose to Toes by Leslie Parrott
- Peas and Thank You by Mike Nawrocki
- The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
- I’m Thankful for Each Day by P.K. Hallinan
- Ten Apples Up on Top by Dr. Seuss
- Brown Bear Brown Bear by Eric Carle
- Peek-a-Moo by Marie Torres Cimarusti & Stephanie Petersen
- Where is Baby’s Belly Button? By Karen Katz
- Bath Books by DK Publishing
- The Eentsy-Weentsy Spider: Fingerplays and Action Rhymes by Joanna Cole*
Toddler
- Just in Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado
- Eating the Alphabet: Fruits & Vegetables from A to Z by Lois Ehlert
- One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
- Mrs. Wishy-Washy by Joy Cowley
- Where’s God When I’m Scared? By Cindy Kenney
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
- Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw
- Alphabet Art: With A-Z Animal Art & Fingerplays by Judy Press*
- Science Play: Beginning Discoveries for 2 to 6 year olds by Jill Frankel Hauser*
- Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs by Alan Katz*
- My ABC Bible Verses: Hiding God’s Word in Little Hearts by Susan Hunt*
* these are activity books that help develop language, not read alouds
