Exploring Books
When you share books and stories with infants, toddlers, and two-year-olds, you’re supporting their development in many different ways. First, reading is an excellent way to strengthen language skills and vocabulary, giving children the opportunity to learn new words to describe objects, animals, feelings, colors, shapes, and experiences. As they grow, they’ll begin to mimic the animal sounds and repetitive phrases commonly found in children’s stories. Exploring books also helps infants to develop their fine motor skills. A baby may grasp the book, feel its texture, shake it, toss it, or chew on it. In addition, reading involves pleasant interaction between the young child and an adult or older child, reinforcing its appeal.
Books are an essential part of any education program. The area of your classroom dedicated to reading should be cozy and inviting. A child-size rocking chair, cushions, pillows, and other inviting furnishings are excellent choices for the space. Books shouldn’t be limited to this area only, however. Looking at books should be encouraged in any area of the classroom.
Paragraph 1: An introduction that previews for the reader what you’ll be writing about.
Explain how you located and selected your five books and include your statement as the last sentence of this paragraph. A thesis statement tells the reader what the purpose of the essay is and provides insight into what the body of the essay will discuss. This paragraph must be at least three to five sentences.
Paragraph 2:
A summary, in your own words, of the book selected for young infants (birth–9 months old. This summary should provide the reader with a clear understanding of the book’s characters, setting, plot, and theme. In other words, what’s the book about? Be specific. This paragraph must be at least three to five sentences.
Paragraph 3:
Describe one reason why the book would be appealing to young infants. What would young infants like about this book? Why would this book be enjoyable to them, and why would they prefer this book be read to them repeatedly? Next, identify one reason why parents would select this book for their young infant. From a parent’s perspective, why is this book appealing? Why would parents prefer this book? Finally in this paragraph, explain one reason why caregivers would pick out this book to read to young infants. From the caregiver’s perspective, why would they select or prefer this book over other books available to young infants? Why would they find it necessary or important to share this book with young infants? Your responses in this paragraph should be fully developed and should include specific details and examples as needed to support your opinions. This paragraph must be at least three to five sentences.
Paragraph 4:
A summary, in your own words, of the book selected for mobile infants (10–17 months old). This summary should provide the reader with a clear understanding of the book’s characters, setting, plot, and theme. In other words, what’s the book about? Be specific. This paragraph must be at least three to five sentences.
Paragraph 5:
Describe one reason why the book would be appealing to mobile infants. What would mobile infants like about this book? Why would this book be enjoyable to them, and why would they prefer this book be read to them repeatedly? Next, identify one reason why parents would select this book for their mobile infant. From a parent’s perspective, why is this book appealing? Why would parents prefer this book? Finally in this paragraph, explain one reason why caregivers would pick out this book to read to mobile infants. From the caregiver’s perspective, why would they select or prefer this book over other books available to mobile infants? Why would they find it necessary or important to share this book with mobile infants? Your responses in this paragraph should be fully developed and should include specific details and examples as needed to support your opinions. This paragraph must be at least three to five sentences.
Paragraph 6:
A summary, in your own words, of the book selected for toddlers (18–23 months old). This summary should provide the reader with a clear understanding of the book’s characters, setting, plot, and theme. In other words, what’s the book about? Be specific. This paragraph must be at least three to five sentences.
Paragraph 7:
Describe one reason why the book would be appealing to toddlers. What would toddlers like about this book? Why would this book be enjoyable to them, and why would they prefer this book be read to them repeatedly? Next, identify one reason why parents would select this book for their toddler. From a parent’s perspective, why is this book appealing? Why would parents prefer this book? Finally in this paragraph, explain one reason why caregivers would pick out this book to read to toddlers. From the caregiver’s perspective, why would they select or prefer this book over other books available to toddlers? Why would they find it necessary or important to share this book with toddlers? Your responses in this paragraph should be fully developed and should include specific details and examples as needed to support your opinions. This paragraph must be at least three to five sentences.
Paragraph 8:
A summary, in your own words, of the book selected for two-year-olds. This summary should provide the reader with a clear understanding of the book’s characters, setting, plot, and theme. In other words, what’s the book about? Be specific. This paragraph must be at least three to five sentences.
Paragraph 9:
Describe one reason why the book would be appealing to 2-year-olds. What would 2-year-olds like about this book? Why would this book be enjoyable to them, and why would they prefer this book be read to them repeatedly? Next, identify one reason why parents would select this book for their 2-year- old. From a parent’s perspective, why is this book appealing? Why would parents prefer this book? Finally in this paragraph, explain one reason why caregivers would pick out this book to read to 2-year-olds. From the caregiver’s perspective, why would they select or prefer this book over other books available to 2-year-olds? Why would they find it necessary or important to share this book with 2-year-olds? Your responses in this paragraph should be fully developed and should include specific details and examples as needed to support your opinions. This paragraph must be at least three to five sentences.
Paragraph 10:
A summary, in your own words, of the book selected for two-year-olds. This summary should provide the reader with a clear understanding of the book’s characters, setting, plot, and theme. In other words, what’s the book about? Be specific. This paragraph must be at least three to five sentences.
Paragraph 11:
Describe one reason why the book would be appealing to 2-year-olds. What would 2-year-olds like about this book? Why would this book be enjoyable to them, and why would they prefer this book be read to them repeatedly? Next, identify one reason why parents would select this book for their 2-year-old. From a parent’s perspective, why is this book appealing? Why would parents prefer this book? Finally in this paragraph, explain one reason why caregivers would pick out this book to read to 2-year-olds. From the caregiver’s perspective, why would they select or prefer this book over other books available to 2-year-olds? Why would they find it necessary or important to share this book with 2-year-olds? Your responses in this paragraph should be fully developed and should include specific details and examples as needed to support your opinions. This paragraph must be at least three to five sentences.
Paragraph 12:
A conclusion that tells the reader what you’ve learned from this assignment. What has this project taught you about choosing books for infants, toddlers, and 2-year-olds? How will you be able to apply this information in your own personal or professional life? This paragraph must be at least three to five sentences
