Sunday, May 21, 2006

Book props


My latest play activity that is really resonating well with Lowell (and Chloe) is having props to go with the books we read over and over. I recently bought a copy of the beloved "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle. I knew Lowell would like it, because it had counting involved. I also came across this wonderful basket of painted wooden fruit by Melissa & Doug (LOVE their stuff!). The fruit happened to match perfectly with the food in the book. I was pretending to gobble up each fruit as I read the corresponding page and we counted together. It really kept Lowell's attention and later in the day I found him pretending to eat the food himself. This is big for him, since he's usually not one for "make believe" play.
So I gathered another basket, I found as many of the animals to match as I could from another current favorite, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?" I had to use a white sheep, instead of black and our Mister Potato Head is the "teacher" (which Lowell loves to say!). Lowell wasn't as into the stuffed animals as the fruit, but it did keep his attention. I find that when he mimics us reading he just mumbles very quickly and then says a few random words clearly. I wonder if that's how we sound to him. I think that using props also helps me to slow down and have more teaching opportunities throughout the book using the props.

"Five Little Ducks" was next. That was simple to pull together and the kids seemed to enjoy having a tangible animal to look at during the reading of the book. I feel good that since we took away all of Lowell's battery operated "noise making" toys, we are now replacing them with more educational and engaging toys:)

On to the next book......

7 comments:

Ontario Wanderer said...

I must again comment on how lucky Lowell and you are to have each other. I am so very impressed with what you are doing together that it brings tears to my eyes. (I'm not sure what that says about me but I think your efforts to bring your boy to "normal" are heroic!)

Mamaroo said...

Those are great ideas to use the props for the books. I have used similar props for books as well as PECS. The Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear Brown Bear have been favorites in our home too.

Mom to Mr. Handsome said...

What a great idea! Gabe would love that, especially with Brown Bear, Brown Bear. What a wonderful way to introduce pretend play. Bravo mom!

Kristin

Molly said...

What a great idea. I will have to do this for sure.

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a great idea! I love the idea of using props... our speech therapist does similar things with our son, but I am not organized enough to have this kind of thing going on at home. LOL

Anonymous said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea.

Anonymous said...

These are really great sources. My little girl already is learning with this type of early reading that they try to work with her on. She does love it too! She is currently working with all kinds of Therapists coming out to our home through a Resource Center near our home. It is so fabulous.

hugs,
Jeannene
(Love Conquers All)