MSU Extension Child & Family Development

More, More, More

By Vera B. Williams

Bright and beautiful pictures, along with simple words, show three families loving and playing together.

BEFORE READING:

• Show the children the front of the book. Ask them to guess what the book is about.

• Ask them how many babies are on the cover.

• Ask them what color they see.

• Gently hold their fingers and trace the letters in the title. Be sure to tell them what the letters are if they don’t know.

While Reading:

• Stop at any time if there is something you or the children would like to talk about.

• Ask them questions so that they can connect what is happening in the book to things they already know about. Try some of these ideas:

  • What does your family call you? Who do you play with?
  • Where is your belly button? Where are your toes?

AFTER READING:

• Spend some time talking about the story. Ask the children things like:
  •  What were the names of the babies in the story?
  • What did each of the babies say during play time?
  • What happened to Little Bird? What did Little Guy do?

Read this book several times to the children. Hearing the same story again and again helps them learn new words and understand the ideas the hear better. Each day, pick a different activity to do with the children after reading.

MATH AND SCIENCE

Play the “how many” game with the children. Ask them how many toes they have, and then help them count them. Then, ask them to help you count the number of fingers or toes you have.

READING READINESS

Trace the letters of a child’s name on his or her back to help them go to sleep. Using your finger, lightly “write” each letter of their name as you say it quietly to them.

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT

Dance to your favorite music together. Turn on the radio and make up silly moves to songs. Teach them your favorite dance move and let them teach you.

ART

Let the children paint with pudding. Using their favorite pudding, place a small amount on a clean table or highchair tray. Encourage them to finger paint with the pudding, as well as lick their fingers.

THINKING SKILLS

Gather different objects with different textures. Try things such as a smooth spoon, a crinkly napkin, a furry stuffed animal. Let the children touch each object as you use words to de- scribe how it feels.

MOTOR SKILLS

Build a fort together and hide out inside. Using a blanket or sheet, drape it over furniture to construct a tent. Read a book underneath, tell stories or sing songs as you play under the fort.

PRETEND PLAY

Pretend to play dress up or if you have a dramatic play area that has clothing in it have the children dress up. Have the children dress up in t-shirts or old dresses. Let them wear different shoes and hats. Allow them to pick out clothes for you to wear as well.