Expectations for this age range:
Your 4-year-old can…
- Choose a book to share.
- Enjoy sharing the same book over and over and over again!
- Repeat phrases with emotion and tone.
- Read page by page in their own words.
- Ask thoughtful questions and begin to wonder why certain things are happening.
- Identify characters’ emotions and book setting.
- Learn new concepts and vocabulary.
- Tie a storyline to personal experiences.
- Understand a core lesson or message from the book.
Teachers and caregivers can…
- Find a quiet, comfortable place for book sharing.
- Use book-sharing as a way to introduce new concepts and encourage hypotheses.
- Expand on new vocabulary and storylines. Repetition is still key.
- Ask thought provoking questions. “Why” something is happening can be introduced.
- Initiate discussion about relevant topics and how the child may see this in real life.
- Encourage children to retell story in their own words.
- Teach a meaningful message or lesson from the book.
- Respond with enthusiasm to your child's questions and comments.
Your 5-year-old can…
- Name the books they want to share with you.
- Identify sight words and follow words while others are reading aloud.
- Make connections to their own lives; share how people and experiences are similar.
- Retell story in sequential order.
- Distinguish between “right” from “wrong” using logic.
- Use imagination to expand on storyline and bring into play activities.
- Understand lessons and incorporate into their communication with others.
- Ask thoughtful questions about books you are enjoying together.
Teachers and caregivers can…
- Find a quiet, comfortable place for book sharing.
- Ask child to tell you about the pictures and the story in detail.
- Ask questions to prompt thinking. “Why” should be incorporated and expanded on.
- Create connections to real life experiences and people.
- Teach meaningful lessons and ways to carry them out in real life.
- Respond with logical reasoning to your child's questions and comments.
- Tie book elements into daily activities to encourage use of new vocabulary and concepts.
- Encourage sight word recognition and help reading development.
Questions for this age range:
- Cover: What do you see? What do you think this book is about?
- Pages 1-2: How does Nathan feel? Do you like birthdays? Do you like presents?
- Pages 3-4: What did Nathan get? Is he happy? Identify stripes.
- Pages 5-6: What did Nathan get? Is he happy? Identify polka dots.
- Pages 7-8: What did Nathan get? How does he feel? And why?
- Pages 9-10: How many candles are on the birthday cake? What do you think he wishes? What do you wish for on your birthday?
- Pages 11-12: What happened to Nathan? How do you think he feels?
- Pages 13-14: Is Nathan having fun? Do you want your own castle?
- Pages 15-16: How does Nathan feel? And why?
- Pages 17-18: What is Nathan thinking about? Why does Nathan want the mittens now?
- Pages 19-20: What happened to the crown? How does Nathan feel?
- Pages 21-22: Who is sitting at the table? Does Nathan still want his castle? Why not? What does thankful mean? What are you thankful for?
Vocabulary:
- King
- Fell Down
- Crown
- Happy
- Balloon
- Sad
- Cap
- Angry
- Mittens
- Crying
- Telephone
- Excited
- Cake
- Family
- Bed
- Toys
- Dragon
- Cold
- Toothbrush
- Swings
- Presents
- Flags
- Run
- Castle
- Telephone
- Candles
- Blocks
- Thank you
- Lonely
- Thankful
- Gust
- Polka dots
- Stripes