Dear Zoo
by Rod Campbell
Young children will love lifting the flaps to discover the animals the zoo has sent – a monkey, a lion and even an elephant! But will they ever manage to send the perfect pet?
Ready, Set, Read!
Let your baby take the lead when you read. Your baby may only sit still for a page or two, turn pages too quickly, or only want to look at one picture and then be done. It is perfectly normal for baby to want to “taste” a book. Follow your baby’s lead to make reading time a positive experience. Make books a part of your daily routine and read before naptime and/or bedtime. Put a book in your diaper bag to read to baby while out and about. This will nurture their love of books and reading from the beginning.
Reading Tips for Curious Crawlers
Your baby loves to hear your voice
Make reading part of your everyday routine
Hold the book so your baby can see the pictures
Talk about and point at the pictures
Count and point to how many people, pets, dots, etc. are on the page
Board books are sturdy and built for babies to handle
Books are a great addition to tummy time
Give baby a clear view of your face and read your own book aloud
Pre-Reading Building Block
Introduce the idea of a letter and build excitement before reading. You will need a small envelope or a folded piece of paper (it can be blank). You can also use a small bag or box to act as a "mailbox." Show the babies the envelop and say: "This is a letter. We're sending mail!" Let your child touch or hold the envelope. Pretend to put the letter in the mailbox and say: "We're sending a letter to the zoo!" Knock on the book cover and say: "Let's see what the zoo sends back."
Let's Play
Reinforce the animals from the book using simple movement and sounds. Name one animal at a time from the book and model a very simple action. For example: elephant - stomp feet, giraffe - stretch arms up, lion - gentle "roar," money - clap hands. Encourage babies to watch, copy, or move in their own way.
