Contest winner & comment:
Larry H. (cakeblast)
cakeblast.comThe best parenting book I have ever read is “To Train Up A Child” By Michael and Debi Pearl.
Larry H. (cakeblast)´s last blog ..Funny Foto Friday XXl My ComLuv Profile
We were walking and talking. As we got home I was happy to show the book but really couldn’t give up my dog eared copy. I was wondering if we could make a virtual parenting play list……..what books have you read that you feel every parent should read?
Since this is a blog about play books that are play related would be great but parenting books in general are fine.
Contest
What parenting book is your Top 3 must read list? It touched you in someway and you talk about it all the time or would recommend it?
Leave the book title ( and author if you know it) in the comments. If you can share a little bit about the book that would be great but optional.
For an additional entry
Tweet: @playactivities My must read parenting book ” add your title”
Contest is open to Canada, US and Europe. Is there an Amazon in Australia? Void where prohibited.
Contest is open today, Monday 15 February and closes Midnight Sunday 21st February 2010 MST.
Winner is chosen by random.org.
Winner is contacted via email left in the comments. It’s automatically captured once you enter it once in the second box. ( name, email, comment)
Winner must reply with postal address within 48hrs otherwise a new winner will be chosen.
Looking forward to your entries……………………..
(Disclosure: I will be buying and sending the book. )
Raising Playful Tots is an Internet radio or Podcast available 24hrs a day . Host: Melitsa Avila of Play Activities. Download each episode yourself visit each show notes to do this or have iTunes do this automatically for you.
Week 7th Feb 2010: There are no mistakes in Art! Help! You want to try Art but oh not really…. MaryLea of pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com shares her inspirational art ideas for the little ones and shares some practical ways to try Art suitable for all levels and stages. Listen to the show .
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This is a guest post by Tonya Wright. If you want to guest post on this blog, check out the guidelines here.
10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Book for Your Preschooler
Unless you are looking for a specific book, walking into the local bookstore or neighborhood library can be overwhelming if you have no idea where to begin! Preschoolers are vastly different from the toddlers they once were. Younger children are quite happy with books that have simplistic illustrations and minimal text. Somewhere around the age of three, and sometimes around the age of two-and-a-half, children began to crave more sophisticated literacy experiences. Here are a few questions to ask yourself as you are wandering aimlessly amid rows and rows of books!
1. Are the illustrations appropriate, engaging, and relevant? Young children are understandably drawn to pictures before text, so choose books that have photographs or illustrations that depict emotion and/or activity. See if the illustrations reflect and enhance the text. Also, ensure that the illustrations are appropriate and reflect the values you want to instill. For example, some of the Curious George books, depict smoking. That is not to say that you have to avoid Curious George books, (I happen to like the little guy) but whenever you select a book, you should be informed about what you are purchasing.
2. Are the text and the illustrations bias-free? Look for books that fairly depict children of all races, ethnic backgrounds, and abilities. Select books that do not perpetuate gender stereotypes. For example, in books about community helpers are the women depicted to be teachers and nurses while the men are depicted as fireMEN and policeMEN?
3. Is the text appropriate for my child’s developmental level? You want to choose books that have words that preschoolers can understand, but you also want to provide children with opportunities to learn new words as well. Preschoolers also like text that is predictable, rhythmic, and easy to memorize. And don’t be afraid to choose books that have NO WORDS! Wordless books offer great opportunities to create new stories over and over again!
4. Does the story inspire the imagination? Young children enjoy pretending; imaginary play is an important part of cognitive growth and development. Choose books that encourage children to think or imagine beyond the pages of the book.
5. Do you as the adult find the book interesting? As adults we often unconsciously pass on our own fears, likes, and dislikes onto children. Sometimes it is ok to choose books that YOU enjoyed as a child. Passing on your excitement and love for reading is a good thing!
6. Will your child be interested in the subject? Preschoolers enjoy books that describe experiences to which they can relate or ideas that they can imagine. Books about going to school, visiting relatives, or taking trips are relatable subjects for many young children. If your child has a particular interest, such as cars or horses, choose books on that subject. In addition, use books to expose your child to new subjects that they might not otherwise experience!
7. Does the book encourage interaction? Although not every book will be interactive, it’s a good idea to choose some that are. Books that encourage your child to follow directions, search for a hidden object, open/close flaps, or perform other actions help children to understand that reading is not a passive activity!
8. What is the purpose of the book? Select a variety of books that serve a variety of purposes. Some books are humorous, others are meant to teach a concept or moral lesson. Other books are written to give children information about various subjects and other books help.
9. Is this a non-fiction book, and if so, is it accurate? Preschoolers have a funny little obsession with they word WHY! Young children are natural scientists who have an innate desire to learn about the world around them. Encourage this trait by selecting books that will expand children’s knowledge about their world. When choosing non-fiction books such as biographies or informational books, do your best to ensure that you are selecting books that are easily understandable and accurate.
10. Will my child want to read this book more than once? Think of choosing a book as an investment. When you invest in a new car or a new couch, you plan on using those items over and over again. Think of a book the same way! When your preschooler asks to read his favorite book for the 100th time, realize that children learn with repeated exposure. So choose books that you and your child will want to read over and over.
Tonya Wright has over twenty years of experience in the field of early childhood education. She has taught preschool, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten. She has professional interests in Reggio Emilia, the project approach and the RIE approach and has a deep passion for early learning with a special interest in language and literacy. Tonya’s undergraduate work is in Early Childhood Education and Psychology and received her Masters Degree in Educational Technology. Tonya has been published in various national, state, and local teacher magazines and newsletters. She is a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Recently Tonya began her Room to Grow blog and she also writes for Literacy Connections.
One of those things I heard and now utter myself. In order to use your imagination you have to have one. So how do you get an imagination? One way we like to start is with books.
Just letting your kids browse is a great thing to do. Whenever you can, especially rainy days or snow days when you’re feeling like curling up with a book anyway. Wrap everyone up and head to the local bookshop or library.
One thing I love is to receive books for the kids from other people. Other people choose the best books. We all have our own likes and ones we gravitate towards, favourite authors and publishers. Other people give us a gift as we bring these new books into the family.
Having thumbed through it myself I thought it would be fun not to say much about it but give it to the two older children.
You choose is a series of pictures on the page. You choose what you need from each page to make up your story. You can live in the country and the city, farm or lighthouse. The point is…………..You Choose. Each page is full of huge range of objects and places. We have silly stories as well as serious ones. For the child that is not reading this is a lovely way they can make up a story based on the mechanics they already know from listening to stories. Those learning to read here is a fun way of ‘reading’ a story without the pressure. We have great opportunities for read aloud storytelling sessions using voices and everything.
Mixed up Fairy tales is an excellent flip through book. We have a treasury book of fairy tales that we go through. They love to hear the same stories over and over. The mixed up fairy tales gives them a chance to play with the stories by randomly flipping the flaps and mix and matching the story. The biggest fun so far is trying to give a new title to the story.
Reading is a pleasure when it is fun. If you enjoy a book you’re likely to try another. There are plenty of funny books that appeal to the little ones. We like these two because we get to play around with stories. Something we don’t usually do. It feels special to mix them up and make something up that is totally mine. They have the scaffold of the familiar tale or the objects and places they see but what they produce is totally theirs……….they get to use their imagination.
I see that teddy, the LO, the dog and anyone within range is ordered to sit down while the MO or the BG read them a story. To see little boys reading, laughing and trying another version over and over again is always worth seeing.
What books do you recommend that are short on words but encourage you to make up stories from what you see?
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books, (I happen to like the little guy) but whenever you select a book, you should be informed about what you are purchasing.
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