Mommy Book

I just checked this book out at the library today, but so far I'm loving it.  It's called The Toddler's Busy Book, written by Trish Kuffner.

She provides some really great information about toddlers in the intrdocution section.  She writes that toddlers learn great in a one on one situation with their caregivers because the caregiver knows what the children like to learn about and can cater to their needs.  She writes that the little things we do with out toddlers really make a big difference in their learning.  Glad I'm making a difference with Little Man when we play peak-a-boo for the millionth time!

She also has some great suggestions for keeping a busy toddler entertained:  Keeping a "baker's box" for them to play with in the kitchen, a "rainy day" box, and a "job jar" are some of the great ideas she shares.

I'm really excited to read the rest of this book and get tons of ideas!  This book is definitely worth checking out from the library or purchasing.  I'm going to take good notes (I'm a super dork who does that kind of thing) but I may end up purchasing it, too. 

Do you have any favorite books centered around toddler activities?  I'd love to hear them in the comments below!

Daddy's Home!

Hi All!
The book we're reading this week is Daddy's Home! by Rosanne Parry.  We got this book as a gift from The Hub's parents.  Little Man loves it!

It's a cute little story about a boy who is excited to see his daddy when he comes home for work.  The excitement and joy the boy in the book feels when he sees his daddy is definitely how excited and happy Little Man is to see The Hubs.  It's soo exciting to see Little Man's face light up with The Hubs comes home!  Last night Little Man didn't want to go to bed because he was soo happy to see The Hubs!  When I put him on his changing table he was squirming all around because he wanted to play with daddy. 

The book is also cute because it outlines the day's events:  Mom gets a phone call from dad that he's on his way home, the boy washes up, daddy helps the boy take a bath, they read a story together, etc.  Little Man dosen't usually have a hard time going to sleep (thankfully) but if he does when he gets older, this book will be great because it outlines the evening routine of getting ready for bed.

We didn't get any pictures of Little Man reading this book today :(  The first time we read it he sat very patiently in my lap and we looked at the pictures and read the book.  After that he decided to throw a little tantrum for no other reason than because he is quickly (gasp!) approaching two years old.  hehe  I hope we don't see too much "terrible two" behavior!  

I love you Through and Through

Since we celebrated Valentines Day, I remembered about a neat book we have called I Love You Through And Through.

It's a cute little book featuring a boy and his teddy bear. The book illisturates different emotions experienced by everyone and lets them know that you love them even if they're mad, or sad, or happy, or silly.

 


As we read the book I make sure to point out the expressions or the actions of the little boy in the book.  I think it will help Little Man associate feelings with words.  We also point out where the little boy's ears, eyes and nose are.

It's a cute little book that is defiantly worth checking out. 

Bookworm Wednesday: First 100 Words

If Little Man had to pick just one book as his favorite, I think he'd pick First 100 Words (Bright Baby)

He's been entertained by this book since he was an itty baby.  He'd love to sit there and stare at the pictures because they are all brightly colored and pretty big.  

Little Man pointing to the flower.

Now that he's a little older he often brings this book for me to read to him.  There is not much reading or story line to be honest.  Just pictures with the words typed underneath.  But, he sits in my lap while I point to the pictures and make sound effects for his entertainment.  

Now: apparently I didn't realize this because, well, I just didn't really think of it, but there are at least two different ways to learn new words.  A lot of what I was doing was pointing to the picture and asking "what's that?"  Little Man knows a few of them: dog, shoes, baba, etc.  But was I was completely forgetting (a-duh)  to ask him a question and let him find the picture.  So the other day I was sitting with him and said "Little Man, where is the duck?" And he pointed to the duck....."where's the leaf?" he pointed to the leaf.  I asked him a ton of questions and he knew pretty much all of them. I was it total shock.  I realized I needed to ask different questions other than "what's that?" becasue I realized that although he didn't know how to say all of the words, he certainly knows what they are!  

So I called The Hubs and told him our son is a little genius and he was like "oh, that's cool".  But when he came home from work and picked up the book and stared asking Little Man where all the things were on the page, he was totally shocked and impressed!  

So anyways...back to the review of this book:  I feel like it really works.  I'm sure there are a lot of books out there the can help teach your child, but this one really works for us.  

As you may be able to tell by the pictures.....Little Man loved this book.....to pieces!  It's literally broken in half and has the cover picture torn off the front.  If I can't fix it, we'll definitely be purchasing this book again!  

Does your little one have a favorite book you feel has helped him learn new words?


(Note: The link in this post is my referral link.  I was not compensated to review this product.  I posted about this book because we honestly love it.)

Bookworm Wednesday !

Welcome to the first official Bookworm Wednesday post!  This is a neat little book Little Man got from my mom.  

The Book:  It's Time to Sleep, My Love

By:  Nancy Tillman

Why we like it:  It's a beautifully illustrated book with sweet, calming words.  It makes me feel calm and cozy just thinking about it.  The pictures are very interested to look at:  they have lots of "talking points" (Do you see the girl?  She's going nih-night on the panda), it also has a some repeat artwork (like the moon) that shows up on a lot of the pages - makes it great to ask "where's the moon?"  Little Man learned how to say "moon" by me reading this book to him.  Yay for Little Man!  

It did take me a few times reading this to learn the "style" of this book.  It's reads more like an "adult" poem than the typical children's book.  If that makes sense.   

It is a great book that Little Man and I both enjoy.  

Happy Reading.

(Note: The link in this post is my referral link.  I was not compensated to review this product.  I posted about this book because we honestly love it.)

Bubbles, Bubbles

Book:  Sesame Beginnings Bubbles, Bubbles board book (Sesame beginnings)
By:  Sesame Street

Why we like it:  Because Little Man learned how to say "bubble" and we get to go outside and play with bubbles when we read it!  wooohoo!  Another awesome thing about this book:  It was $1.00 at Target!  Can't beat that.  We found it in the dollar bins at the front of the store, but if you have a hard time finding it there, you can purchase it though Amazon (although it is more expensive).

Little Man is a huge fan of books.  This is one he brings to me often.  The book talks about bubbles on noses, and toes, rhymes, and adds a little "one-two-three!" to the mix.  Add some real bubbles  and we're talkin' some major fun!  This would be a fun activity outside or in the bathtub.  Little Man will also pick this book up and read it to himself, too. 

Little Man reading his book.  He looks serious - but he's having fun!

(Note: The link in this post is my referral link.  I was not compensated to review this product.  I posted about this book because we honestly love it.)