August Picture Book Play- A Review and So Much More

By Kimberly M. Hutmacher

 

It's that time. Many of you have children preparing to enter school for the first time. Most children have at least a few fears when it comes to starting school, and who could blame them? Most of us fear what we don't know. My review this month centers around getting to know school before actually having to go it alone. Hopefully, after reading my picks for the month and engaging in the suggested activities, your child's tears and bellies full of butterflies will be replaced with anticipation and joy! These are also great suggestions for teachers easing a new class into the first few weeks of a new school year.

Featured Book

Written by Lauren Thompson
Simon and Schuster Books For Young Readers 2003
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
32 Pages
$12.95

Thump, boom, bump a drum
Blinky, cuddly, curly dolls
Squiggle, scribble, dot crayons

These are just a few examples of things Mouse gets to see on his first day of school. Simple and sparse, yet childlike engaging text by Lauren Thompson and colorful, yet soft and comforting illustrations by Buket Erdogan make this book a must-have for any child preparing to enter school for the first time.

Playtime

1. This is the perfect time for you and your child to take a fieldtrip to the school your child will be attending. Many schools have planned dates for incoming students to tour the school and observe in the classroom. The school my child attends refers to this day as Kinderpeek. This gives your child the opportunity to experience school with the security of knowing that you're right there with him. When we attended Kinderpeek, my daughter clung to my side for all of five minutes, before she was off visiting centers and playing with the other children.

2. After you've made the fieldtrip, try some dramatic play at home. Set up a room full of centers similar to what you saw at school. Try to recall the schedule- circle time, centers, bathroom break, snack time, etc. Take turns playing the parts of the teacher and the student with your child. To give it more of a classroom feel, invite a few friends over to join in on the fun!

More reading for back-to-school fun.

By Steven L. Layne
and Deborah Dover Layne
Sleeping Bear Press
ISBN: 1585361593

T is for Teachers: A School Alphabet
By Steven L. Layne and Deborah Dover Layne

T is for Teachers,
forever sowing seeds.
Their hope and prayer will always be
that every child succeeds.

What are the origins of the alphabet? Who began the first kindergarten in the United States? What's the difference between a quiz and a test? Who is the first person to arrive at most schools each morning?

Children new to school will get a glimpse of some of what they'll learn about and some of the very special grown-ups that they will encounter. Steven and Deborah Layne draw from their experiences as longtime teachers to create a great tell-all about the wonderful world of school and all it has to offer. And like all good teachers, they end this book with a short quiz to see how well their audience was paying attention!

 

Picture Book Play- A Review and So Much More

December

November

October

September

August

July

Poetry Play
For Preschoolers
Merchandise

Mouse pads and more.

Perfect For
A Picnic