Write & Read to Toddlers

1. Have students look at colorful, fun toddler books, especially those that inspire children to interact with the book. Start a discussion about what makes these books appealing to toddlers. Ask students what picture books do they remember reading as a child.
2. Students think of ways to make an interactive book. Invent a simple story or concept that will delight a young child. For example: 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. Sketch ideas for the illustrations with Crayola Twistables® Crayons on plain paper. Plan how many pages the story will be and what will happen on each set of facing pages.
4. To make a book with a character or object that moves from page to page. Adapt these ideas to work with the topic and story line.
5. Decorate the title page on the first sheet of a Primary Composition Book. Be sure to include the author’s name. Write a sentence or two of the story on each page. Draw backgrounds that fit the story. Make them diverse and colorful!
6. On a recycled file folder, draw the person, animal, or object that will move from page to page. Use Crayola Scissors to cut it out. Attach the cutout to the book with ribbon using Crayola School Glue. Air-dry the glue.
7. Arrange to share the books with children at story time at a public library, local child care centers, or other early childhood programs. When the storybook is read, move the character from page to page and setting to setting. Invite toddlers you read along.

LA: Read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the grade level text complexity band independently and proficiently.

LA: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade level topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

LA: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

VA: Students will investigate, plan and work through materials and ideas to make works of art and design.

Encourage students to develop an interactive book with only illustrations included. As younger students view the illustrations, have them begin the written story. One primary student may begin the story with one sentence. Another primary student can add the second sentence, and so on until they have created an entire story.

Reverse the process. Older students write the story. Primary students create the pictures that illustrate the story.