Friday's Fun: Fun With Books!

Don't just read your child's books to her. Have fun with them!

We love Michael Rosen's We're Going on a Bear Hunt. The book is a fun read on it's own, but paired with rhythm and hand motions it's a sure-fire hit.

Watch as Michael Rosen demonstrates:

 

Here are some more ways to get the most out of your toddler's books:

• Act them out
• Use big hand motions
• Find puppets or stuffed animals to retell the story
• Personalize the characters with various voices
• Pause throughout to allow your child to guess what comes next

For more fun ideas to incorporate into several other beloved children's books, check out Story Stretchers for Infants, Toddlers, and 2s

Beyond "Our Father"

We all want our children to develop a loving relationship with the Lord. And they will, provided we offer them plenty of opportunities to explore and practice living a faith-based life. One of the most meaningful ways we, as parents, can provide an atmosphere of devotion is to model our own relationship with Him through prayer.

Traditional prayers such as The Lord's Prayer are important, but a strong bond between our little ones and our Lord can be better established by incorporating prayer into our daily goings on.

For example, with your baby's first diaper change of the morning say a simple prayer like,

Dear Lord, thank you for this day, and thank you for Mommy and Daddy and Brother and Sister. Amen.

Or, when your toddler starts testing your reaction to her teeth on your skin:

Dear Lord, I'm sorry for hurting Mommy. Please help me to make better choices. Amen.

Here are some sweet and fun prayers that your child can learn:

Thank you God for a world so sweet,

Thank you God for the food we eat,

Thank you God for the birds that sing,

Thank you God for everything!

And (to the Happy Birthday tune)

Thank you, thank you dear God,

Thank you, thank you dear God,

Thank you for families and friends,

Thank you, thank you dear God!

Finally, to really liven things up, try some of these dinner prayers:

Superman Prayer (to the tune of Superman)

Thank you God - for giving us food!
Thank you God - for giving us food!
For the food that we eat
For the friends that we meet
Thank you God - for giving us food ! Amen!

Jaws Prayer (said with hands on top of your head like a shark fin and in the same manner as the Jaws theme, starting slow then speeding up)

God is
Great and
God is
Good and
(faster)
So we
Thank Him
For Our
Food and
AMEN! (clothes hands together like a big mouth)

Here are some books with more prayer ideas:

Baby's First Book of Prayers

Prayers for Children (Little Golden Book) 

Thank You for This Food: Action Prayers, Blessings and Songs for Mealtime

My First Book of Prayers

 

Follow these links for more great ideas for prayers:

• CBN
• Meals
• Bedtime
• Variety

Recommended Toddler Reading: I Aint Gonna Paint No More

A mischievous child vows never to paint again when his mother discovers he has painted all over the walls. Unfortunately, after having a bath this budding artist quickly succumbs to his desire to doodle. He makes his way to the top of the closet where the paints were deposited and begins painting all over himself.

The story is told to the tune of "Ain't Gonna Rain No More," but what really makes this book exciting is David Catrow's humorous illustrations. The child's enthusiasm is contagious and the book will surely elicit smiles from whomever gets to read this delightful story!

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! (Ala Notable Children's Books. Younger Readers (Awards))

Written by Karen Beaumont.