Mar

15

Books and Music for Preschoolers

Posted by jesstrump

March 15, 2007 |

reading.jpgWe had a great MOPS meeting this month about the importance of music and literacy to children, especially the younger ones.  We had a  preschool teacher and a librarian both talk about not only the benefits of both books and music with kids but they also shared great ideas on how to get your kids involved in both at home.

The preschool teacher was a hoot.  She burned a cd and had all the MOPS moms stand up and follow her in the hand motions and dances.  I was sitting in the back of the room running sound and it was hysterical watching all these young moms, some big and pregnant, twirling in circles and playing air guitar.  It was silly but inspiring.  I have to admit when I got home I threw the cd in the cd player, called my girls in the room and started doing the dance routines.  They both sat on the couch and stared at me like I had lost my mind.  I don’t even think they cracked a smile.  I really think they were worried about my mental health.  But everyday since then my 5 year old has put the cd in and led her sister in all the dance moves.  She had remembered every single one from watching me that night.  And what little kid doesn’t like to dance?  What a great way to learn rhythm and just exercise!

The librarian was wonderful and brought along a whole bunch of kids books to demonstrate what kids really like, fun ways to get them involved in the reading, and the benefits of reading to your children everyday.  Here are 5 easy steps she shared with us for reading to your children:

  1. Pick the best time.  A time when you and your child are in a good mood. (Good luck with that one!)
  2. Show your child the book.  Point to the pictures and talk naturally and cheerfully.
  3. Talk and have fun.  Remember to touch and love your child the whole time.
  4. Watch what your child does.  Let your child play with the book if he/she wants to and stop for awhile if she/he gets upset.
  5. Share a book with your child every day.  Even just a few minutes a day is important.

Sometimes I get frustrated when my kids interrupt me while I am reading to them by asking all kinds of silly questions about different things on the page but apparently that is how they learn.  Let them ask questions, turn pages, find letters, etc.  They will be much more willing to let you read to them again the next time.  We have storytime at our local libraries and I’m sure most libraries offer it.  My kids get to go every week and hear new stories and pick out new books.  They have their own library bags with their names on them that they wear on their shoulders proudly until of course they stuff them full and I end up with both of them.  :)

Here are some great resources that you can try.  Have fun!

Websites for preschool music:

Books for preschoolers:

  • If You’re Happy and You Know It-Jane Cabrera
  • Wiggle-Doreen Cronin
  • Dog’s Colorful Day-Emma Dodd
  • Where is the Green Sheep?-Mem Fox
  • My Book Box-Will Hillenbrand
  • I Like it When-Mary Murphy
  • Lulu’s Busy Day-Caroline Uff

Comments

2 Comments so far

  1. Indiana Farm Girl on March 22, 2007 7:19 pm

    This is such a great post! My girls LOVE to sing and dance, which we try to do a couple of times a week…it is a hoot…I try to do my excercises in a dance-y sort of way and they follow right along. Now the book thing, I have to brag on my hubby. He started reading the bedtime story with our oldest while I would put the little one to sleep and I was amazed one evening when I sat in…he was awesome…he was going over every learnable thing on those pages and she was soaking it in…from “Go Dog Go” she learned about pulleys, conductors, spy glasses and the horizon. She can repeat almost every page word for word. Their latest is “One fish, two fish….” and she has some very tricky rymes memorized!! I have a teaching degree in early childhood education and I am sad to say he put me to shame. I was just reading the story and answering her questions but he has taken it to a whole other level!!!!

  2. Jessie on March 23, 2007 7:22 am

    That is so great! I’ll have to check out those books for my kids…..and give them to my husband!! :)

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