Write & Read to Toddlers

crayola supplies

household supplies

Why?

How can older students make a difference in the lives of younger ones? Create and share interactive storybooks to bring everyone together!

Steps

  1. 1. Take a look at colorful, fun toddler books, especially those that inspire children to interact with the book. What do you think makes these books appealing to toddlers? What picture books do you remember? Why?
  2. 2. Think of ways you can make an interactive book. Invent a simple story or concept that will delight a young child. Use your imagination or elaborate on an idea like these: An animal goes on a search for its habitat (ocean, pond, desert). Match a vehicle to its use (fire truck, garbage truck, bus). Dress a child or animal for the weather.
  3. 3. Sketch ideas for your illustrations with Crayola Twistables® Crayons on plain paper. Plan how many pages your story will be and what will happen on each set of facing pages.
  4. 4. Here’s how to make a book with a character or object that moves from page to page. Adapt these ideas to work with your topic and story line.
  5. 5. Decorate the title page on the first sheet of a Mead Primary Composition Book. Be sure to include the author’s name (that’s you!). Write a sentence or two of your story on each page. Draw backgrounds that fit the story. Make them diverse and colorful!
  6. 6. On a recycled file folder, draw the person, animal, or object that will move from page to page. Make it about the size of your palm. Use Crayola Scissors to cut it out. Attach the cutout to the book with ribbon using Crayola School Glue. Air-dry the glue.
  7. 7. Arrange to share your books with children at story time at a public library, local child care centers, or other early childhood programs. As you read the storybook, move the character from page to page and setting to setting. Invite toddlers you read with to move the character for you!

adaptations

With your classmates, brainstorm ideas for toddler books. Start with a word such as moon. For 5 minutes, write down everything anyone says that they associate with that word.

With your classmates, brainstorm ideas for toddler books. Start with a word such as moon. For 5 minutes, write down everything anyone says that they associate with that word.

Authors have to make lots of changes to their books before they finally get them published. Take each book through a revision and editing process. Read the draft (and show the sketches) for your book to another person to ask for feedback. Revise as needed. Next have another student read your book to you exactly as it is written. When you hear funny things, such as mispronounced words (because of a misspelling) or a reader who is running out of breath (because you forgot a period), make changes on your draft.

Assessment: Work with students to create a rubric for evaluation. What makes a toddler book good and what makes it great? Choose categories (story, illustrations, humor, interaction) and establish a rating system. Use the same rubric to evaluate published books.

benefits

Students evaluate the qualities of books written for an early childhood audience.

Students write and design an original, interactive toddler book.

Students read their own books with younger children.

grades

Grades 1 to 3
Grades 4 to 6
Grades 7 to 12

subjects

Language Arts
Visual Arts

time

Multiple Sessions

curriculum standards links

US: Research U.S. Standards
UK: Research UK Standards
Canada: Research Canada Standards

safety guidelines

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.

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