Ever feel pressured to not just let your child learn through play? Society puts a lot of pressure on parents to teach their children in formal and easy to measure ways.
But children learn the most when it is part of their everyday experience or related closely to something they are interested in even if you can't show your neighbor a completed worksheet. There is no need to separate learning from play or your day to day routines- it is all learning for a young child. So prepare your child for school the best way possible- lots of play, lots of talking, and lots of reading!
When books are fun and interactive, they are a great way to help teach your child basic concepts, such as opposites. Both of my books, Art Parts: A Child’s’ Introduction the Elements of Art and Orchids, explore opposites as they relate to art and plants. However, because two books are never enough here are a few more recommendations.
Corina Fletcher wrote two wonderful ones: Up Down Across and Small Smaller Smallest. These wonderful board books pull open to reveal hidden examples of each of the concepts. Beautifully illustrated with bright images, these books will enthrall any child.
Animal Opposites by Nicola Killan looks at opposites through animals. This lift the flap book keeps children engaged and guessing at what is under the flap.
Explore more types of opposites with Opposites by Xavier Deneux. Another sweet board book, but it has some unusual opposites in it.
Finally, read Exactly the Opposite and Is it Smaller? Is it Larger? by Tana Hoban. Using gorgeous photography to illustrate each of concepts that connect with children’s experiences, these books encourage children to find the opposites and things of different sizes in their world.
After reading these books, find opposites and the other concepts that are all around you. Look for opposites beyond big and little, and add vocabulary. For example, look for wide and narrow, bright and dark, plenty and not enough.
Make your own opposites book by letting your child draw or take pictures of opposites. Have your child dictate the text for the book. Now that is a wonderful treasure to show off your child's learning to your neighbor or Grandma!
As always, I hope you enjoy these recommendations. Feel free to share with credit to Words Reflected and Kim Bogren Owen on Facebook, your website, or in your newsletter. Please add your recommendations for additional books about concepts in the comments.
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