Finding GREAT books for YOUNG children

There are SOOO many children’s books out there.  Some are beautiful, some are based on familiar characters, some have sequenced stories, some are very open ended.  What makes a book GREAT for a toddler, or a preschooler?   The main goal is to find books that:

·        Engage the child’s interest

·        Promote interaction between the book, the reader, and the child

·        Promote confidence in the child as a “reader” (WAY before they can read)

·        Offer ways to develop the pre-reading and reading skills a child needs

·        Develop, in the child, a LOVE of BOOKS, and what they can offer

 

Before buying a lot of books for your child, consider these “qualities” as you look through your own library, and as you make regular trips to the city library.  You’ll get a much better idea of books that you will want to check out for a few weeks versus books that you will want to ADD to their own library. 

 

 

Look for books with large, colorful illustrations.  Young children thrive on getting the story through the pictures, so look for illustrations that are clearly representing the characters and what is happening in the story.  There are some books in which the story is evident even without words.  These are wonderful, as the story can be told in so many different ways.  Even with text, it is not always required to read the words exactly.   And really good books have the illustrations depict even MORE of a story than the words identify.  Asking the child about more of the story based on the picture is a great way for children to add to the story line.  It is also wonderful to find illustrations that include a small character that is located on each page in different places, such as the cricket and spider in the Little Critter series.  This series of books EXCEL in having the pictures tell MORE of a story than the words.

 

For Toddlers, look for sturdy books in which each page can have its own focus – that it can be, but does not need to be read in any particular order.  A character may be doing a variety of things centered on a theme.  Toddlers like to turn the pages themselves and will stop on a page that captures their attention.  That is the time to focus on whatever is on that page.  Have them point to one of the pictures that is prominent on the page, and try to connect it with something they are familiar with in their own life.  If it is an animal, talk about what it is, what it sounds like, and refer to an animal they might know.  If it is a character doing an activity – talk about the activity and when it might happen in their own life.  This type of interaction helps them feel confident in their ability to “use” books, and helps them see what are in books relates to things outside of books.

 

Choose topics that relate to real life, esp. for children 2 years or younger, even if it is funny animal characters that are doing human things.  Imaginary creatures and activities, like magic, are abstract and more difficult to keep straight in their heads as to what is real and what is not real.  Concrete activities that reflect more of what is real in their life, and in the world around them helps develop a more full sense of who they are and where they live.  Although this age child likes pretend play – mostly it is about real life things.  Encourage a concrete understanding of this world before delving into fiction and non-reality.  Once a child is “around” 3 years old, their imagination takes off, and then it is fine to begin introducing a few books with more imaginary topics, as long as there is good discussion about the difference between what is real or not, and that there is a good balance of books which are presented.

 

When considering the words, choose books that encourage fun expressive reading.  Read the book aloud to listen to the sounds.  Reading aloud with an expressive voice more actively engages a child’s interest, and promotes good language skills.  Although not all of the following things will be found in a single book, these are things to look for:

• It is fun to read phrases that rhyme.  This helps develop phoneme awareness in children, which is an important pre-reading skill.  Dr. Suess books were designed specifically with this purpose.  “One Shoe, Two Shoes, Red Shoes, Blue Shoes”.  After a few readings, the child may be able to fill in the second part of the rhyme. 
• When the words promote a strong rhythm it helps the child feel the cadence of speech, and a feel for how phrasing can aid in the understanding of the meaning of words.  Encourage the child to keep a steady beat while you are reading by clapping. 
• Find books with interesting characters that encourage fun vocal changes – high female voices, slow tedious and low voices, voices of all sorts?  I especially enjoyed reading the Winnie the Pooh books to my children because of the fun unique voices and accents of each of the characters (Tigger & Eeyore are my favorite voices!).  Listening to various voices helps children feel more comfortable around new people they meet who speak differently. 
• Especially enjoyable are repetitive phrases featured regularly or at the end of each page. Children LOVE being the “reader” of this type of repetitive phrase, especially if you can encourage some type of activity with it, like clapping, or “chugging” the arms, etc.  MANY of the Kindermusik books features this types of phrase.  One of the Kindermusik favorites is “Choo-choo, Choo-choo! Dinah, Dinah, Dinah Dinah.  Shoo! Shoo! Shoo! Shoo! Shine-a, Shine-a, shine-a .” from the book, “Shiny Dinah” in the Our Time AWAY WE GO semester.  For each part the children “pull the whistle”, clap their hands, swish their hands, the rub their hands in circles to shine the train.
• Books that have a PART that can be sung can really capture a child’s attention, and can connect in a more emotional way.  One of my favorites is “Love you Forever” by Robert Munsch.  (Although it took me a long time to read that all the way through without crying.) 
• Repetitiveness can also be a springboard for sequencing.  Stories that reuse phrases, continuing to add another phrase on top of each other, such as “The Green Grass Grew All Around”,  “with the branch on the tree, and the tree in the hole, and the hole in the ground… “ help build neural connections toward spatial relationships and sequential ordering.  PLUS, they’re FUN !  My son’s favorite is an old book called “Drummer Hoff” = “And Drummer Hoff FIRED it OFF!”

 

When choosing a book with a story line, choose stories that make sense and are meaningful to your child.   Young children respond only to books that tell stories that feel “real”, feel complete, and feel satisfying.  Strongly consider what your child is interested in, and what they know already.  Try to choose books that give them a little more information or understanding about their object(s) of interest, or character(s) they find fascinating.  Ask all sorts of open ended questions to spark conversations that will help them explore the ideas presented in the book, helping them connect with ideas they know and “discover” new bits of information.  Children learn best by discovering for themselves rather than being told.

 

To me, great books for young children fit into three categories:

a.     Activity books – Books that encourage people to make noise and move, and act out what is occurring on the pages and in the story.  These books encourage personal involvement in reading materials.  They strengthen language articulation skills, as well as give opportunities for large and small motor development.  These may also be alphabet books which help them make the sounds of the alphabet and relate these sounds to what they know.  This could include tracing the letters with their fingers, and exploring other objects with those sounds.  Activity books are a springboard for more action!

b.     Bedtime books – Books that have a lulling rhythm as you read them aloud.  Their story is comforting and without a crisis or scary moment.  These books reassure loving feelings and safety, and welcome the night as a peaceful companion.

c.     Story books – Books that encourage discussion, conversations about the characters and what they are doing.  These books build vocabulary and understanding.  They might have a crisis, or problem that will be resolved somehow, hopefully in a way that sparks children to discuss and solve their own problems, or at least understand others that experience them.

 

A Great book is made so much better by a good interactive reader. 

• Allow the child to hold the book and turn the pages.  It’s OK if they do not go in order, or if they turn the page before you finish reading.  Later on, you may try this “trick” I started with my daughter as she got to the right developmental stage (she was 2 years old, but it may vary with your child).  I would say “BEEP” when I finished reading the words on the page, so she would know it was time to turn the page.  This also set her up to use the audio books that we could get from the library.
• Ask questions that identify or spark interest. 
• Read expressively, using your voice to enliven, or soothe, or build intensity for a story line. 
• Offer the child the opportunity to “tell” the story , or parts of the story, based solely on the pictures, or by what they can remember. 
• After a few readings, start a sentence, then encourage the child finish the thought.  Show enthusiasm for their version, and do NOT correct them if they say the words differently.    

 

These are ways to engage the child and build their confidence in books as a source of enjoyment, and in their ability to be a significant part of the reading process.

Review the current research on the benefits of Music and Literature on a child’s development.

Books are an important part of each Kindermusik program, as there are at least one or two children’s literature books that are included in the home materials.  Each of these books meet several of the above criteria for being a GREAT book.  The Creative Team at Kindermusik International recognizes the benefits of good books for young children, and therefore integrate their books with the themes of the curriculum. 

 

There is even a WONDERFUL summary of research they have developed that will help parents understand how music benefits a child’s development of the reading process.  PLEASE check out the following links at www.kindermusik.com/benefits .  It talks about the critical aspects of developing the skills of Active Listening, building vocabulary, developing phonological awareness, Print Awareness, and promoting Comprehension.

 

There are resources available for each age group; Our Time (1 ½ – 3 ½ years)  and  Imagine That (3-5 years), so that the materials is specifically focused on what to expect from, and what is developing in a child at each of these ages, and has some great ideas for what you can do at home based on current research in this field.  It is well worth your time to read it.  It easily explains the research, and if you are interested further, the actual research documents are also available for your curious mind.

 

In this blog, “Music Connections Recommends…” , I suggest many books that I believe fit the above criteria.  Some are Kindermusik books (or Do-Re-Me & You – which are developed by Kindermusik International), but MOST are other books I have found along the way – through teaching, and especially through experiences with my two children.  They are usually presented based on a particular theme.  Please feel free to add your comments to these postings with list with books you have found to be GREAT, so that we can all find GREAT books that will OPEN up the world to our children.

 

Or if you have other ideas on what makes a book GREAT for young children, please add your comments.  I would LOVE to hear them.

 

READING is MAGICAL. 

Read it, feel it, live it, and love it. 

Then, your child will too.

Children’s Music and Games for Valentines Day

Valentine’s Pencils are an excellent alternative gift for this special holiday.  If your child got some, perhaps, instead of sharpening them, you might want to be creative, and make them into instruments.  Last year, my students enjoyed this challenge, and I posted a slide show of their creative works of art and music:  Homemade Instruments Made from Pencils.

I’ve posted a fun Animal Valentine video, as well as two other fun videos on my other blog:  Kids Love Animals.  Share the love and the learning.

It doesn’t take long online to find some excellent Valentine’s Game and Activities for children, but my daughter’s favorite is on The Kidzpage .  It has puzzles, and coloring pages to print, and fun online games.

SONGS FOR TEACHING is an excellent site that has the lyrics to wonderful songs for children, and it has a page full of Valentines Songs.  You can even listen to someone singing it, and if you like it, you can download it for a small fee.

Kindermusik families may remember some of their favorite songs from their Home CDs that are perfect for this day of family love.  Many of these are folk songs, so you may know them as well.  I am trying to include enough of the songs to help you remember how to sing it.

Skinnamarink a-dink-a-dink, Skinnamarink a-do, I LOVE YOU!   – Village: Dream Pillow

Love Somebody – Yes, I do… (3 times while pretending to look around for someone to love, then)… I Love Somebody and it’s YOU, YOU, YOU!

You are My Sunshine, my only sunshine.  You make me happy when skies are grey.  You’ll never know dear, how much I love you.  Please don’t take my sunshine away.

Mama loves, and Daddy Loves, and Everybody Loves a little Baby.    – Village: Dream Pillow

I love my Family, my family, my family, my family, take a look and you will see…  They’re OK with me.   on Family Time:  Our Kind of Day

Tell Me Why the stars do shine,  Tell me why the ivy twines,  Tell Me Why the skies are blue, And I will tell you just why I love you.      on Village:  Do-Si-Do

Shady Grove, my little love, Shady Grove I know, Shady Grove, my little love, bound for the Shady Grove.     on Village:  Cock-a-Doodle Moo

Cuddle Up A Little Closer Baby Mine, Cuddle up and be my little Valentine

Let Me Call You Sweet Heart, I’m in love with you.

Wiggle (4 x), Giggle (4 x)… Little Sack of Sugar, gonna eat you up   on Family Time: Our Kind of Day

Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland   - on Village: Dream Pillow

Find out more about Kindermusik at www.kindermusik.com !

Enjoy singing and playing with your family this Valentine’s Day !!!  LOVE, Ms. Debbie

mama merit badges

I met up with Amy Bowers, one of my Kindermusik moms, at the Mega Monday for Moms Event at the museum today, and realized that she has developed a wonderfully creative way for mom’s to get the recognition we deserve, the mama merit badges. 

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These small merit badges depict scenes from which we mothers glean some of our most challenging moments, and rise to the occasion to deal with them the best we can. 

Check out her website:  www.mamameritbadges.com

In the “about” area, you’ll find out that these are simply offered, so that mothers can note and reward themselves for the times that parenthood has taken them beyond normal boundaries.

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The beauty is that each mom decides when they have earned each badge, and that it will be forever connected to a specific story about their children. whether you organized the most fabulous and extravagent birthday party ever, or dealt well and made it through some horrific event like poop explosions in the middle of a photography session. 

I love her comments on the FAQs page:

Why did you create these?

The simple answer is because I wanted them and they did not exist. Life as a parent has stretched me so far beyond my boundaries and comfort levels that I could literally feel my self changing and growing. After my many adventures with my brood I would actually say, “I need a merit badge for this!” (Do go on to read the rest in this area.)

AND it is simply fun to read the stories of what prompted some moms to award themselves specific badges in “merit badge tales”.  Amy is also planning to have some get togethers with local folks to share stories of how they earned their merit badges!

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This is a mom who always seems so calm, cool, and collected, and her children are very sweet and well mannered.  She’s always reading the best books on creative parenting.   This is an enlightening aspect of her personality, and helps me realize that no matter where we are in our motherhood process, that we are amazing, and can be recognized by ourselves, or by others.  I actually think it will be fun to give them as gifts.  

In addition, I would recommend that we have a Kindermusik, or even musical patch, as I know of several mothers who deserve such a patch, including Amy, who has each of her three children in their respective age appropriate classes.  Congratulations Amy, on being a great mom, and for coming up with a wonderfully creative way to recognize and celebrate our amazing mom moments.

Locomotor Motion Sign Language

Here we go a-walking down the street,

down the street,

down the street

Here we go a-walking down the street,

La – la – la – la – la 

Locomotor motion is how a body moves through space.  

Walk -         Both hands flat, palms to floor, alternating up / down

Stop –          Rt. Hand flat, slap perpendicular into Lt flat palm  

Look –         Rt. Hand first two fingers point to eyes, then turn out  

Listen –      Rt. Hand thumb & first finger in L shape, put to Rt ear

Tip Toe -   Both pointer fingers pointing down, alternate up & down

Jump –        Rt hand first two fingers jumping in palm of Lt. hand

Dance –      Rt hand first 2 fingers swishing across palm of Lt. hand

Tune In to this cool e-newletter from Kindermusik International

   Tune In is BACK ! 

This fun, fact filled little e-newsletter does just what I think it should.  Each newsletter typically covers one developmental / musical topic, then gives parents Great ideas on how to play with your children, in each specific age group, to bring this issue to a fun-filled fruition.  They are now offering a lot more – specials sales on clearance items they have overstocked, music, instruments, etc., as well as a few free music downloads if you do that sort of thing.  

 It’s just the kind of newsletter I would put together if I had a creative team of child and music education professionals working with me.  Oh, I do – I work with Kindermusik.  I love it!  It is similar to the Sharing Sheet inserts that come with my regular newsletter that I mail out to my customers, only better pictures and in color.  Just check it out and see for yourself!

 

You can just get onto the Kindermusik website under Parents and find Tune IN, or just click on this link to get you right there:  http://www.kindermusik.com/TuneIn/pastIssues.asp . You can see the current issue right there, OR, On the right side of the site, you can subscribe (no charge), and it is just one email a month.  And your email information is SAFE – it goes nowhere else.

Free, Fun, and packed with research based ideas for playful parenting with a purpose.  Enjoy!

Loving Guidance and I Love You Rituals

  Recently, I have searched out the parenting books by Becky Bailey, and I think they are marvalous.  Her ideas for fostering a positive family life are the best I’ve seen and heard.  I was familiar with her teacher training materials, Conscious Discipline, and wanted to see what she had for parents, and I am pleased with the focus of her teachings.

  Her book, Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline, is subtitled The 7 Basic Skills for Turning Conflict into Cooperation.  In her book, she helps parents take common sense steps to making a harmonious happy home in which all family members show their love for each other through I Love You Rituals, and are able to work through issues of conflict in a cooperative way.  From my little “Debbie nutshell”, I see that she promotes strong  parents through training in self-control, positive discipline, and assertiveness.  She suggests specific ways to do each of these things, and offers ways for parents to practice these skills.  She promotes strong children through mutual respect, encouraging environments and positive decision making.  There’s a lot of great APPLICABLE ideas in this book, and I cannot begin to summarize them all.  I am enjoying reading it, and learning from her ideas.

  In our Village semester, Rhythm of My Day, we focus on Daily Routines, and how RITUALS make the ordinary just a little extra special, and connecting with your child in unique ways.  Well, Becky Bailey, has really HIT the spot with her book, I Love You Rituals.  She describes how easy and how powerful these little moments can be.  And even has specifically designed fun songs and activities where parents can start, and how they can be used in so many ways.  She even goes so far as to pair up with Mar Harman (from the Florida based - Music with Mar) to create musical CDs with her revised Nursury Rhymes, like Three Nice Mice, and Jack Be Noodle.  In her book, she explains how to do specific finger plays along with these rhymes with your child to teach positive interactions and create loving bonds.

You can find out more on Becky’s website, www.beckybailey.com – where you can find some FREE advise, as well as order her books, or “sets”.  You will find that a great deal of her materials and training are for teachers.  But it is easy to find the Parents section.

These materials are not new.  If you already know Becky’s stuff, please add your comments and tell me what you think of her approach.

Build, Bake, Sing & Scrub

The themes for both “Milk & Cookies” (Our Time) and “Our Kind of Day” (Family Time) focus on daily routines around the home.  Several of the DRMY kits fit into this category.  You can see pictures and find out more at www.drmy.com . 

Music Makes My Day  (infant and up)                                                     $32.95The Starter set includes a CD, a card book, two shakers, and a scarf.  This is a great gift for both new parents, all the way up to 1^st birthdays.  The music, collected from around the world, is wonderfully engaging, and the songs highlight many of the activities the baby will see in the book, playing with bubbles, scarves, shakers, or even balls.  It will inspire parents and children to play creatively during daily routines together.  A DVD can also be purchased, $14.95, which features live babies doing the same activities with the corresponding music playing along. 

What Do You Say?  Please and Thank You  (talkers)                              $19.95Teaching manners is so fun when you are dealing with funny animal friends, humorously portrayed in precarious situations in the book.  The songs are catchy and have children singing their way to polite phrases, even when the music is off.  

Pat-A-Cake  (infant and up)                                                                   $25.95This fun cloth activity book turns this Mother Goose rhyme into a multi-sensory experience for babies.  It is excellent quality and a fairly quiet toy – great for stimulating baby during times to be quiet.  The music on the CD includes upbeat dance renditions of familiar songs, ie. Muffin Man, and has new ORIGINAL songs like, “Zoom, Zoom, the Airplane spoon” and “The High Chair Drummer”.   

Noodles from Scratch (2 and UP)                                                           $32.95I LOVE this CD, it is pure Jazz fun, with “Laughter Makes the World Go Round”, and favorites like “Muffin Man” and “Little Sack of Sugar”.  This upbeat music is exactly what I need to keep me and the kids happy and hoppin’ around the kitchen while we prepare and/or clean up after a meal.  The rest is just icing on the cake… the book has a wonderful group of animal making noodles from scratch (the snake is used as the rolling pin), and is so much fun to read and sing.  The set also comes with a deep blue chef’s hat, and apron, with pockets to hold the child size utensils.  You can also purchase the cooking tools, ie. 3 nesting bowls, and a set of measuring spoons and cups, for $14.95.  I love the gripping rubber bottoms on the bottom of the bowls, it seems to help keep the bowl in place with such eager hands.  My nephew loves to don HIS outfit, and use his tools to help me make guacamole for our Tacos, as we dance around the kitchen to the music. 

Bake, Build, Sing, and Scrub ( 2 and up)                                               $14.95This is a simple and inexpensive set.  With only the CD and activity book, I almost overlooked this one… until I heard the CD and found some of the BEST cleaning songs I have ever heard.  The book is filled with fun, easy, and inexpensive ways to incorporate music and fun into your everyday routines… at almost any age. 

TLC – Grow With Me  (4 and up)                                                 $29.95 / $19.95All about gardening, this set is a great gift for a little green thumb in the making.  The little girl in the book receives a gift of a planted seed in a pot, and has to learn how to help the little seed grow into a beautiful plant.  The set comes with a white pot with gell shapes to decorate it with, and includes the dirt and some seeds of their own.  The CD has fun songs about the responsibilities and joys of growing your own plant. 

Night Time and Bathtime favorites will come in separate BLOGs.  Remember, I am the only consultant at this time in

Polk
County, so you need to order, or book your party through me.  And I could sure use some help…

A Year of Fun… Series

Totline Books offers a great series of easy to use idea booklets for parenting young children.  Authored by Theodosia Sideropoulos Spewok (I am not kidding), these booklets offer information and fun ideas for developmental activities based on the age of the child.  Their tag line: Fun seasonal activities, songs, poems, and fingerplays – plus practical advice for parents.

The illustrations by Susan Dahlman really draw your eyes and attention the heart of the activities, and the format is fantastic !  Instead of a book that sits on your shelf, these booklets are designed to hang up on the wall like a calendar, turn a page each month and get inspired to do just the few things on those pages that month.

A Year of Fun… Just for Twos;  Threes;  Fours; and Fives

Each of these booklets are set up by month, from Jan to Dec., and showcase activities that reflect the season and are developmentally appropriate for the corresponding age group.  These are EASY ideas, using items from home in new and different ways to help children learn through their play.

A Year of Fun… Just for Ones’s

This booklet is also set up by month, Jan. – Dec., but the top half focuses on the children from 12 – 18 months, while the bottom half of the page focuses on those 18 – 24 months.  I LOVE the way this divides up these really different developmental stages and gives such practical advice for parenting these ages.

A Year of Fun… Just for Babies

This Booklet meets the needs of the child by organizing the book according to the actual age of the child, from newborn to 11 months old, then gives you a synopsis in the back of “Typical Developmental Behavior of Babies” according to age in months – ALL on ONE page!