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Story School
Story School - Week 1
Welcome to the first week of Story School!
We're so glad you and your child are here to join us for Story School. When you have a chance, be sure to introduce yourself and your child on our Family Learning Space.
Each week, we will focus our learning around specific early literacy and language skills as well as social emotional skills that prepare your child to thrive in school and beyond. We'll have a big message and big question to discuss together. Reflect on the message and question, and then follow the steps below throughout the week.
Our message this week is You have what it takes. Parents and families are their children’s first, most essential teachers. With every interaction, every cuddle, every “I love you,” you are stimulating connections in your child’s brain. This week, we’ll learn how these loving, back-and-forth language interactions support your child’s brain and language development, and help them build a positive sense of self. Our question for the week is How do you show your child you love them every day?
Our message this week
You have
what it takes.
Our question this week
How do you show your child you love them every day?
Step 1: Watch the Story Lesson
Step 2: Join our Live Learning Group
Check your email for the exact time and date, as well as a link, for your group's online Story Hour.
Step 3: Homework from the
Make Way for Books App
This week, we’re learning about the amazing gifts parents give their children. Our homework assignment is about one of the very first gifts parents give to their child— their name. A child’s name is an important part of their identity. Parents, share with your child the story of how you chose their name.
Continue sharing the gifts of stories with your child with the Make Way for Books App. Here are our suggestions for the week. It’s best to follow your child’s interest, so explore, mix and match, and most of all, have fun learning!
If you don't have the app yet, download it now to access Read Now books and more activities!
Read Now on the app!
Books on the go!
Age: Preschool
Do
Keep a bag of books in the car or put some books in the stroller for your child to look at not only while you are driving or walking, but also to take in to the places you go. You can check them out of your nearest library branch and bring some favorites from home. If you’re waiting for an appointment or just hanging out at a coffee shop, you will have something engaging and entertaining for both you and your child. Actual books read together have more benefit to children because of your child’s interaction with the actual pages and because of their interaction with you! Talk and read together. Note what you see in the pictures. Make predictions about what will happen next. Talk about your favorite parts.
If you find yourself without your bag of books and have your smart phone, you can also access the Read Now books on the Make Way for Books app. Again, the most important thing when looking at these books with your child is YOU! Your child will benefit far more when you talk and read together rather than just handing the phone to your child.
What your child is learning
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To focus despite interruptions or distractions
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To enjoy talking about ideas with a trusted adult
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To show growing awareness of holding a book correctly and following print left to right
Make a hot dog book
Age: Preschool
Do
Hot dog books are a quick, easy way to make a book for your child with only one piece of paper! Check out the video above on how to make it. You can also follow these instructions:
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Fold the paper in half the long way, like a hot dog.
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Open the paper and fold it in half the short way, like a hamburger.
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Take one layer of paper, flip the edge back to meet the fold, and crease.
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Then the paper over and repeat Step 3.
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The paper should look like a W when seen from the end.
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Cut or tear the center of the W peak along the center fold. You'll be cutting through 2 layers of paper and stopping at the cross fold.
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With your wrists above your fingers, hold the 2 halves of the hot dog from the top.
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Turn your wrists to the sides. You will have an open book with 4 sections.
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Bring 3 of the sections together. Fold the last section on top of the other 3 so you have a flat book.
What your child is learning
Creating books with your child sparks their interest in reading, writing and books. This is a skill called print motivation, which is essential for all future learners. You can strengthen your child's storytelling and writing skills by letting them write and illustrate their own story. You can also allow your child to illustrate the book and have them tell you a story, then write the words for them in the book.
Book Nook
Age: Toddler
Do
Use a box, a basket, a tub or a set of shelves to create an area for your child’s books. It can be located in the living room, kitchen, or in your child’s room. Have your toddler help you set up the area, decorate the box or basket, and put out the age-appropriate books you have chosen.
For younger toddlers, you may want to only include cardboard, cloth and plastic books until they are able to handle picture books (with thin paper pages) without tearing. A variety of books about lots of things will excite your child’s interest. Books with bright and colorful drawings, photographs of animals, people, vehicles and scenes from nature, and simple, fun stories will be best for this age. Encourage them to look at and enjoy the books throughout the day.
Toddlers love to look at books with you. They can be an active participant, turning the pages, pointing and naming objects, animals and people in the pictures and repeating words and phrases along with you as you read. When you help them hold the book, look at the pages from front to back, study the pictures and get to the end, you are building their book-handling skills. With their growing independence and the availability of a box, basket or shelf of books, toddlers can also look at books by themselves. Enjoying books provides a wonderful foundation for learning to read the words on the page when they are five or six.
What your child is learning
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Confidence in their own abilities
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To begin to take initiative
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Involvement with books and interest in stories
Book Magic
Age: Preschool
Do
Sing this fun song about the magic of books (set to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”) with your child! Invite your child to make the movements just like Fernando does in the video. You might want to consider starting any reading time with your child with this song as an introduction that sets the tone for what you will be doing together!
Here are the words:
Books are magic and books are fun,
Books should be loved by everyone!
Books give our brains a great big start,
Books make us happy and books make us smart!
Books are magic for you and me,
Books are important to our family!
Don’t feel shy about singing with your toddler! Music is a great way to expand children’s vocabulary and to build a bond with your child. Laugh and giggle together! You can use the melody from Book Magic (Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star) to make up other songs with your child. Try singing one about brushing your teeth, taking a bath, cleaning up the toys, or getting ready for bed! The Book Magic song signals it’s time to settle down and get ready to listen because your family loves books!
What your child is learning
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To modify or regulate their actions in daily routines
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Involvement with books and interest in stories
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To anticipate and follow multiple steps of a routine
Step 4: Keep track of your child's learning
As you complete each activity or read a book together, your child is learning and gaining important early reading skills! Be sure to mark each activity and book "done" to add them to your child's learning journal in the app and keep track of their growth!
First, make sure to add a child in the app's settings page. When you mark a book or activity done, you will see a screen the one on the left that will give you the option to add it to your child's learning journal. Add a note, new vocabulary words, and a picture!
Step 5: Reflect and connect with families
What did you learn this week?
Join us on our Family Learning Space to post your pictures and videos and to connect with other Story School parents and caregivers.
We want to hear from you! Use the our Family Learning Space to share your thoughts, talk about your experiences, and ask questions!