September 01, 2009
NB: If you can't see the Toddler Ideas header above, set your email provider to allow images from clever-toddler-activities.com
Which Toddler Books Are Best?
Toddler Ideas is the insightful ezine delivered to your inbox every month from clever-toddler-activities.com
September 2009 Issue 04
Featuring:
- Opening Thoughts – Announcing the New Section of Clever Toddler Activities
- Q&A with Claire - Which are the Best Books for an Active Toddler?
- Cute Corner – An Awesome Three-Year-Old Performance
- Tip of the Month - The Repetition is Worth Enduring
- Featured Page – Want to Give your Little One a Head Start in Life?
Opening Thoughts
Announcing the New Section of Clever Toddler ActivitiesSince schools are back in session, I thought it'd be a good time to share my knowledge of toddler books. Through my years of nursery (day care) work I've had the privilege of observing the reactions of hundreds of toddlers to even more books. I noticed a definite trend of the popularity of certain types of story lines and book features. So you can find handy tips and toddler book reviews at our Toddler Stories section.
The Toddler Ideas topic of the month is toddler books in celebration of this new addition.
Q&A With Claire
If you have a question about toddlers, we'd love to help! Just use our handy contact form.Which are the Best Books for an Active Toddler?
Question:
I was wondering what I could do to capture my son's interest in books again. He loved being read to as a baby but now Kyle's 14 months and has figured out how to run, he rarely wants to stop and listen to a story. I tried to entice him with new books that have more going on but they're longer so we haven't finished any of those stories yet. Got any tips?
Thanks,
Emma
Answer:
Hi Emma,
I've also found that all many toddlers want to do is run about and keep busy, especially in the first few months of learning how to walk and run! And that's exactly what their bodies need to help strengthen their rapidly growing muscles.
The smaller muscles in Kyle's hands also need exercise though. I've observed very active toddlers are especially into books that encourage them to get physically involved.
A while back I thought nursery rhyme books with pictures of actions would be perfect for the busy tots I cared for. Well, they certainly loved the actions but I wonder if any of them noticed the book, as I had to put it down to show the actions. But they're handy if you don't know the lyrics or actions off by heart.
Do you own any 'lift the flap' books? I've found them to be winners with all the one-year-olds I've come across! Many toddlers also enjoy books with textured patches to feel. I've observed that many one-year-olds seem to find clear, uncluttered pictures more pleasing. If you're wondering which stories are popular with little tots, check out my reviews on stories for one-year-olds.
It might suit Kyle's growing independence to have a few books laid flat on a low shelf with spaces in between the books. That way he can easily see the section and grab one as he dashes past. An added bonus is it's kinder on their book too.
If that's not enough you could try enthusiastically reading one of Kyle's books to yourself in his presence. Hopefully he'll want to get in on the act too! If he doesn't seem bothered though, I wouldn't worry about it as he has plenty of time to get his fill of books in.
As toddlers learn best when they are truly interested, I just accept that one or two pages of a book at a time is all that some toddlers need. Maybe 'non-fiction' toddler books with textured panels or flaps would suit Kyle? I've also written educational toddler book reviews, which you might interested in.
I hope you find these ideas useful. Feel free to ask us any more questions as they arise. Take care and have fun.
Warmest regards,
Claire
Cute Corner
An Awesome Three-Year-Old PerformanceSome of you may have seen this clip of an adorable little Japanese girl playing a xylophone. Unlike most child genius performances, she is genuinely happy to play this complicated tune and has the cutest expressions. It's a fun way to spend a minute. :-)
Tip of the Month
The Repetition is Worth EnduringSometimes it's easy to forget how much knowledge a toddler actually absorbs in a single day. The repetition that toddlers ask for so regularly makes the sheer mass of information more palatable. As we still find in complicated movies or books, the more times we watch or read them, the more we get out of them.
Repetition also helps toddlers feel secure as they know what's going to happen next. This empowerment also aids their memory and lays the foundation for the independence they're striving for. So hang in there, it's worth the boredom!
Featured Page
Want to Give your Little One a Head Start in Life?Everything on Clever Toddler Activities is geared to promote your toddler's development, though our Toddler Education section has many fun activities that specifically supports language and introduces maths and science. Stay tuned by subscribing to our RSS feed (that creates a button to the site on your browser). Enjoyable pre-school phonic activities as well as many more acctivities and tips will be added soon!
What do you think?
If you liked this ezine please do a friend and me a big favour and tell them about Toddler Ideas. If a friend DID forward this to you and if you like what you read, click here to subscribe. When you subscribe, you'll receive a FREE download of 'On the Spot' Toddler Activities that be done anywhere with whatever is around you.I would be happy to answer any questions you have about toddlers. I'd also love to read a cute/funny story about young children, a parenting tip, a great toddler activity or a comment you have about Toddler Ideas at our Contact Form.