After reading a book with your child, they will create a book of all the things they want to get better at or learn how to do.
Learning Area(s): Reading and Writing; Social and Emotional
MATERIALS
- several sheets of paper stapled together into a book
- markers, crayons, pencils, etc.
- book with the theme of perseverance (for example, The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires or I Can Do Hard Things: Affirmations for Kids by Gabi Garcia)
LET'S PLAY
Before you begin reading the book, ask your child to look at the front cover of the book, and ask, “What do you see on the front cover of the book?” Allow time for them to describe what they see in the illustration. Then say, “Let’s read the title of the book together: The Most Magnificent Thing.” Provide a brief summary of the book by saying: “When something is magnificent, it’s amazing! This story is about a child who works hard to build a magnificent thing. But each time she makes something, she doesn’t like the way it turns out. While we read, I want you to think about a time you tried to do something by yourself that you had to keep trying at.”
As you read the book with your child, help them make connections to the text. For example,
- “The girl is making a plan before she starts her project. Why is she making a plan? What kinds of things do we make plans for?”
- “The girl feels frustrated, or upset, because she can’t make the magnificent thing! Tell me about a time you felt frustrated because you couldn’t do something. What were you trying to do? What did you do to feel better?”
- “Did you ever have to keep trying at something that was hard until you finally could do it? Tell me about that.” Share your own example, too.
When you finish reading, say, “This book taught us to keep trying, even when something is hard. If it’s not going how you want, it’s okay to feel mad or frustrated. You can take a break and come back to it later. Now you will make a book of all the things you want to learn how to do or get better at!” Show the stapled book that you prepared. Ask your child what they want the title to be and help them write it if needed. Then encourage them to draw a picture of something they want to learn how to do and write a sentence on each page of the book. When they finish their book, either on the same day or on another day, have them read it to another family member and celebrate their goals!
TIPS
- If you can’t find a copy of this book, you can look for a read-aloud video online.
- Some goals can be future or aspirational goals, like what they want to be when they grow up. Talk about what they need to know how to do so that they can do that job. Also encourage your child to think of some fun, realistic things that they want to learn how to do by themselves, like read a short chapter book, ride a bike, or tie their shoes.