There are so many books out there for babies and toddlers! Some are just pictures, some have words, and others are interactive. So, how can we use them with our babies and toddlers?

I watched several children from 9 months to 3 years old participate in a little play time with books and songs. One of the books was Going On A Bear Hunt. The children who could stand tried to follow the motions (a fun interaction), while the younger children were on a lap with adults guiding their motions. The children didn’t seem familiar with the story or some of the items used in the song (“I’ve got my binoculars”). When we named ears and nose, I wondered if they could name those body parts. Had they paid attention to their own body parts in a mirror to understand the words? It doesn’t take long for a little one to lose focus. Their attention spans are naturally short. I didn’t feel the book or song was above their level but I wondered how we could make the activity more interactive to increase their enjoyment and their attention.

Reading and singing to and with our babies and toddlers is so very important. Any way we can incorporate literacy into our little ones’ day is a great day for them and for us. It’s relaxing. It’s educational. Most importantly, it is full of love. I began to ponder what things children have that we can incorporate into our literacy activities. Children have stuffed toys, like bears, lions, monkeys, etc. Not only could a child see ears, eyes, and a nose, but they could touch to feel the fuzzy ears, the slick nose, and look into the shiny eyes. Before the book/song children can explore different animals and their facial features.

Even young children can learn about habitats. On warm days, a little hike outside to wade through a mud puddle and slosh through squishy mud is always fun. A field of tall grass and wildflowers is a great place to swish and twirl and take pictures. Take a small pair of binoculars from the dollar store to spot things on the hike. Can you find a hollow tree or a small cave under a big rock? All these things play into a small child’s understanding of books. On days when we can’t go outside, I often put down construction paper water (blue), mud (brown) and grass (green). Under a chair or behind a door makes a great cave. It takes just a few minutes of prep time but it can be so worth it when the child brings us the book and asks to play it again. Or when we see a child take a book and make up their own song and storyline for another child.

Gail Cartee is off to the kingdom of stuffed animals. I wonder if she can find a stuffed fish.

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