How to Expand Literacy and Reading Picture Books
When You are Quarantined at Home
One of the mainstays of teaching children is reading aloud books. Why? Children are drawn to stories. They love hearing the words, and for good reason. Their brains are giant sponges, soaking up everything they hear. Children can’t get enough when it comes to hearing a book read aloud. Good books also create a loving bond between a child and the reader aloud.
When parents and teachers are armed with the knowledge that the number of words a child hears is directly attributed to his/her success in school in all academic areas, they should be reading aloud to children multiple times a day. This is the single most important thing you can do for your child.
Libraries are closed. Reading online isn’t quite the same thing. After six weeks of no school and being stuck inside, the books you have at home may feel old and dull to your child. But there are ways to bring your books to life in a different way. A new way. An exciting way.
- Use props to play a story or favorite book. Beanie Babies or Legos can be characters. Blocks can become houses. Does your child love Big Red Barn? There are probably all the animal characters in your house, in some way. Are you brave enough to use real eggs as props?
- Act out the book. An impromptu play performance is fun. Children love play-acting. Set the stage, find anything for a costume, and let your child tell and act out the book.
- Recreate the cover of a favorite book, by posing for a photo. Let your child’s creativity soar. Can s/he pull together items from home to be like the cover of a favorite book?
Think about the many different ways children learn. Some are visual and want to see the pictures. Some are auditory and want to hear the words. Some children need to have objects, plan and build. If we can use what we have at home to make books come alive in a different way for all learners, we are deepening reading aloud. We are giving children a great gift.
This video of The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle
shows all the teachers doing different variations of the book.
The Aqua Room teachers picked their favorite books and used objects at home to create their favorite book covers. Can you guess what books they are?
If you have young children or grandchildren, this is really fun to do. It adds to the pleasure of picture books and reading aloud. It makes those books come alive, once again. So, pull out those old books, and recreate the cover. This idea has been done with major pieces of art, dressing up and posing. Now, children can delight in doing the same thing – with books.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Reading is the most important thing in the whole world!! (well almost!!)
I would have to agree!
Love this. I often use props to make a story come alive!
Thank you, Ritu. This is the first time we’ve dressed up to be the cover of a book. I hope the children do this at home.
They’d have such fun!
I know! They need something fresh and new to make their books come alive and be read again.
There are so many fun things you can do with kids! All great ideas. Love you and all the caps!!
Thank you, Darlene! I hope the children do this at home. It was fun to stage “Caps For Sale”
I’ve shared it with friends with kids at home. I wonder if it would work for my dog!!
Haha! 😀
Really well done, Jennie, all three of you. Such creativity and ingenuity. When you all go back to school, there will be so much to talk about regarding ‘lockdown’. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Pete. I hope all of these moments and activities will still be on their minds in September. Best to you.
what a great way to foster a love of reading!
Thank you, Jim!
This made me smile, Jennie. You guys are great adults.
Smiling is a good thing! We may be adults, but we’re children at heart. 🙂
🙂
What a wonderful way to spark their imagination!
Thank you, Pam!
😊
Ha ha ha. This post made me laugh. What fun. The grandson is over this weekend while his mom works (a risk but we’re out of options). We’ll have to do some book-acting today and take pictures. Great ideas, Jennie.
I’m so glad you liked this, Diana. That will be so much fun to do with your grandson! Post the photos, and see who can guess the book.
Marvelous Jennie! You guys are so creative.😁
Thank you, Kim!
I may never think of you apart from that firefly again!
Haha! 😂
You make a very expressive firefly, Jennie!
Or an odd one. 😅 The bloopers were as good as the video.
😀
The magical thing about props is that some of the kids who are shy suddenly become performers when given these tools. I’ve seen that trick work time and time again with children.
Yes! And that is why we teachers need to have many different kinds available for children. Props are tools.
Awesome! Sharing… ❤
Thank you, Bette! ❤️
My pleasure, Jennie! Have a marvelous week! ❤
Best to you, Bette. ❤️
Caps for Sale was one of my favourites when I was younger. Love the props 🙂
Mine, too! I’m so glad you enjoyed the props.
Haha, Jennie, you teachers are awesome. I love your acting out. A great idea for sure.
Thanks so much, Robbie.
Brilliant Jennie. And I’d vote for you to get the Academy Award for best performance. ❤
Haha! My coworkers tell me I could win an academy award. You should see me go into action if Gloria gets hurt or if a book gets ripped. 😀
Oye! I can imagine! Lol 🙂 🙂
😀
Loved reading this, Jennie. No little ones but love the idea.
Thank you, Marlene! 🙂
I liked that book in Despicable Me with the three kittens. It had three finger puppets!
😀
Great advice, Jennie! Thank you so much! Hope you are well and stay save with yours. Best wishes, enjoy the weekend. Michael
Thank you, Michael. We are well. I hope you and yours are, too.
Yes, here its all ok too. Lets hope this pandemic will end on higher temperature.
I’m glad all is well with you. Yes, let’s hope the pandemic will be under control very soon.
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Thank you!