Painting with Pudding

This post doesn't have so much to do with reading, but I had an idea I just had to share. I would like to say that teachers are by nature, very 'creative' when it comes to re-purposing items. We have to be! It isn't a class we take in college- but, I guess maybe it should be...
Yesterday we were painting with pudding, and I had a great idea: silicone (cooking/baking) brushes make MUCH better paint brushes!! They have big handles so they are easy to manipulate for little hands, and they are soooo much easier to wash!

At first G wasn't too sure about touching the pudding...but once I put the brush out there she was MUCH more willing.
(Or just more willing to eat it!)
                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                              
    
    
                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                

..but then she really started to have fun!

...and really started to make a mess!




Painting with pudding is great for Toddlers. Once I put the 'pudding paint' on the paper she put her finger in it, and the finger went straight to the mouth. I realize that this means later I will have to teach her that paint is not typically to be eaten, but hopefully by then I will be able to reason with her (which is one thing I cannot do right now!)


So, try finger painting with pudding! And, use silicone brushes! They will make your life easier!

Jan Brett

In my previous post I mentioned my favorite children's book author/illustrator Jan Brett. One of the reasons I love her so much is that she has an amazing website FULL of resources. She has even posted videos of how she illustrates and creates her books. My students loved to watch these videos! Not only is she very talented, she just seems like a genuinely nice person!

So, check out Jan Brett's website!

Books for your little love bug!

 Well, it seems as though we are going to be snowed in again today! We have been busy making Valentines for family members which has left Miss G with bright pink fingers. So much for washable ink!
I wanted to share a couple of my favorite Valentine's Day books. There are tons-but for the sake of having somewhere to start and not becoming totally engrossed with blogging when I should be momming, I am going to share just a few!

The Valentine Bears
(Ages 4-8) This book is a classic! So classic in fact that it was one of my husband's favorites when he was younger. This book is a great read-aloud. (And, the illustrator- Jan Brett- is one of my favorite children's book author/illustrators of all time!)



How Do I Love You?
(Ages 4-8) This book has rhyming text, which G seems to prefer. This was the book I bought her for her first Valentine's day last year. This book is a great read-aloud and I really enjoy the illustrations.This book is simple enough for young children to be able to memorize and 'read' on their own.



I Love You Through and Through
(Ages 4-8) This book is very similar to How Do I Love You?, but the main character is a little boy. This book is written with rhyming text as well, which makes it a great read-aloud and predictable for little listeners.





Fancy Nancy Heart to Heart
(Ages 4-8) I absolutely love anything Fancy Nancy! Usually I am not a fan of books that also have stickers or other extraneous (that's another word for 'extra') things- but Fancy Nancy is too fabulous to pass up! This is one in a series of books about an adorable, authentic little girl. They are all great read-alouds with 'fancy' words and bright illustrations.




Valentine's Day Is...
(Ages 4-8) Gail Gibbons writes mostly non-fiction books on a variety of topics. This one in particular goes into the history of Valentine's Day. It is a bit wordy for a read-aloud with young children, but is engaging for school-aged kids. When I need a non-fiction book that is written in story form  Gail Gibbons is my go-to author.




Where is Baby's Valentine?
(Baby-Preschool) Karen Katz writes great books for infants and toddlers. Most of her books are interactive- this one is a lift the flap book. The illustrations are interesting for little ones, but not over-stimulating. If you have a toddler, build a library of Karen Katz books!


How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?
(Ages 4-8) Miss G absolutely loves the 'How do Dinosaurs...' books! They are written with rhyming text and Mark Teague's illustrations are simple and engaging- even for little ones. These books also usually teach a lesson on good manners, too. Bonus!!




**Have you noticed that most of these books are recommended ages 4-8? That is pretty much the standard for all paperback picture books. Most paperbacks are appropriate for read-alouds, just check the amount of text on each page. If there is too much, it won't hold your young child's interest. (Looking at the font size is a good, quick indicator!)

So, it is virtually impossible for me to stop there- but I am going to have to. I could go on and on!! I hope you enjoy these ideas for your little valentine. Consider buying a book (preferably from a small independent bookstore) for your child this year to show how much you love them!!!

Books that make you go hmmm...

Hello everyone!  I hope that you will help me to make this blog a true community by participating and commenting!

Last week a group of moms got together to discuss some relevant topics, enjoy some time out, and I can't forget... some much-needed caffeine!

During our meeting time I noticed that a few of the moms mentioned books they were reading (that related to parenting) that they have really enjoyed. I thought this would be perfect information to share with each other. If you are visual (like me) it helps to have a list of books that you can refer to rather than try to remember titles. Besides, we all have enough to remember!

So, post your favorite titles here...and add a description if you would like!

What do parents want to know?

I need your help to make this blog the best it can be! I want to know more about the information that parents want and/or need to know about reading with their children. What do you want to know more about? Is there anything specific you would like more information on? I would appreciate your feeback as I would like this blog to be as interactive as possible. I am considering setting up a survey- let me know if you would be interested in participating.

This blog will also begin to be more purposeful as I hope to make it work hand-in-hand with a mom's group I would like to start. This would help to make the blog more interactive. I hope to officially start the group for moms after the holidays...so let me know if you are interested in participating. I would like for us to get together, talk about reading with our kids, and also just spend some doing some fun stuff around the area. I should say that I have been inspired to create this blog and the mom's group (which eventually will have a snazzy name) when brainstorming ideas for a leadership project for one of my classes at Butler. So, while I am 'required' to do both of these things (in some sense) I am also really wanting to empower parents in whatever way I can.

So, I have some exciting plans in the works. Until then, let me know your feedback and don't forget to pass information about this blog on to people you know who might be interested.

Thanks!!!

Read for the Record

Today is Jumpstart's Read for the Record! This organization sets aside this special day each year to promote literacy and reading aloud with kids.

Want to be a part of it? It's easy! Just read Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar today with your child and help set a record with thousands of others reading the same book on the same day! Last year's record was 700,000 people!!
This is one of my (and Miss G's) favorite books! Check out the website and be a part of something big!

Happy Reading!

Tips for reading aloud to your children

Children are never too young (or old for that matter) to be read to. Reading aloud to your children helps them to develop the language and literacy skills that they will use throughout life. Reading aloud is more than just reading the book. Make it an experience! Here are some tips to help you 'jazz up' your reading time-

• Read with expression. Don't be afraid to sound silly, it's for the kids after all!
• Talk with your child about the book. Point out the illustrations, talk about what the character looks like, etc. You don't have to do it on EVERY page, but share some of the things you see and think when reading the story.
• Young children are learning the difference between the text and the illustrations. Run your finger under the words as you read them. (This will also help them learn to track the print from left to right...an important pre-reading skill!)
• Take your time. Your little one may have a lot of questions, or a lot to say about the book. Remember that it is more about the reading experience than just sticking to the words on the page.
• For older children, act out the book. Ask them to be a part of the reading by guessing what is next, describing the illustrations, reading part of the text, or finding words in the story. Make it a conversation.
• Read a variety of books. Mix it up by reading old favorites and new ones. You can really read anything, because language is all around us. Some 'unconventional' ideas: magazines, menus, cereal boxes, catalogs, newspapers. Help your child realize that print is everywhere!
• Be flexible. Children need time to get used to and appreciate reading aloud together, especially if it is a new routine. If they don't like the book you are reading, or aren't attending to it, switch it up and try a new one.
• Don't force them to sit and listen. Make reading a positive experience. Try it again at another time, try another book, or another day. Maybe your child would prefer to sit on the floor and read together, or would rather be cuddled with you in a chair. Give them ownership of the experience by asking their opinion. This way it is really something you do together.

Spark a love of books by reading aloud to your children. Making time to read together will give you memories that can truly be treasured for years to come.