Losing a Tooth

Losing baby teeth is a milestone for young children.

It's exciting and frightening.

Will it hurt?  Will I look funny?  Can I still eat my favorite food?  When will it EVER come out?

Answers to those very questions can be found in the newest book of the Bear series, Bear's Loose Tooth. Author Karma Wilson shares how Bear and his friends experience the anticipation and anxiety of a loose tooth.

This is another darling read aloud full of characters who care about each other and offer the most reassuring advice in a time of uncertainty.

The rhythm and rhyme of the text is naturally appealing for both reader and listener. Children can quickly "read" the short phrases after a few visits with the book.

Even the "tooth fairy" is a part of the story, leaving a tasty treat rather than money. 

The illustrations by Jane Chapman are both playful and realistic. The woodland creatures are cuddly without looking like stuffed animals.


If you haven't read the other books about Bear, run to your library and check them out now! Just click here to find the entire series on Karma's website.


Fine Motor Extension Idea:
Brushing Teeth
Materials: dolls, toothbrushes, toothpaste, small cups, water, towels
Procedure: Fill small cups with water. Set out dolls, toothpaste and brushes. Children can practice applying toothpaste to the brushes and "brushing" the dolls teeth.

Schedules

I've been on Spring Break with my youngest child (note the lack of consistency with posting).
I love these little breaks from the hustle and bustle, but I also look forward to being back "on track" with our usual routine.

Some people roll with the changes no matter what. At least that's what I've heard.
Not me. I'm not that crazy about change.

I'd like to keep my children in their preschool years.  Myself in my thirties.
 Fall and Spring should both last at least six months just so I can get used to them before they're gone.

In Say Hello to Zorro! by Carter Goodrich, Mister Bud is a dog who has a schedule. His day is carefully crafted into exact blocks of time and he likes it that way.

Suddenly, someone new enters the picture and the schedule is in danger! Mister Bud has to deal with some changes. He likes it about as much as I like getting a new Drivers License photo.

The new dog, Zorro, isn't too thrilled either. It takes a little time for both of them to discover that they have some things in common. Life is twice the fun with a new friend to share it (as long as everyone sticks to the schedule).

Readers and listeners alike will enjoy the illustrations, especially the hilarious expressions of Mister Bud and Zorro. They show the joys and struggles of sharing throughout the daily routine. The expanse of white space on the page brings your eye right to the action (or lack of it at "nap time"). The owner is seen as only a hand trying to restrain the leash, or a leg being leaned on.

Anyone who has ever struggled with change will be able to relate to this fun and engaging tale.
New addition to the family. Starting school. Life is full of change. Most of it is pretty good.


Field Trip Extension Ideal:
Visit your local animal shelter and bring supplies.
Find out what types of items the shelter can use (old blankets, rugs).
During the visit, ask the shelter volunteer to share what kind of schedule the animals are kept on.
What times do they eat, sleep, exercise, etc.?
When you return to school or home, write out the schedule for the animals and compare it to the one that the children follow. What things are similar? What is different?

Duck and Goose

Making a new friend can be tricky.
Sometimes, it takes a bit of a fuss and some apologizing before two individuals see their way clear to becoming good friends.
This is true for Duck and Goose.

Duck & Goose by Tad Hills is a great read aloud because it rings so true for preschoolers.
The "finders-keepers" rule is clearly stated. "I saw it first," said Duck, "I touched it first," said Goose.
Sharing space is difficult. "Scoot over, I don't have any room!" complained Duck. "You are much closer to me than I am to you," replies Goose.
In the end, they realize that the large polka-dot "egg" they have fought over is actually a ball and they come to an agreement. "It may not be an egg, but it is lovely," said Duck. "Oh, absolutely, Duck," Goose agreed. "It's a keeper."
The bright, colorful oil paintings showcase the "egg," Duck, and Goose against a muted background. Their eyebrows say it all!

Observation Extension Idea:
It's easy to mistake something that looks a lot like something else. Learning to look closely can not only save us some trouble, it's a great way to learn about things.
Choose an egg and a ball (a ping pong ball is a similar size and color) for observation.
Ask the children to describe each one and write their words on a chart labeled EGG and BALL.
Have them use their senses to investigate how these things are similar and different. (How do they move? Is one heavier than another? What is inside?)
With older children, you can use a Venn diagram to organize characteristics. Critical thinking is engaged when children ask questions and make discoveries.

Bullying

Mean Jean the Recess Queen runs the show on the playground until a spunky new student named Katie Sue comes along.
Some people think this story is too simplistic, too good to be true. I think that it's great to show children that sometimes an act of kindness, extending the hand of friendship, can make a big change in people.
Will it always work? Maybe not. Is it worth the try? Absolutely.

The bright acrylic and collage illustrations and the bouncing rhyme keep this story moving towards a problem-solving conclusion. It begs to be read aloud and followed up with a discussion on why Mean Jean tried to rule recess and how Katie Sue won her over. Standing up for yourself and using your words are also good points shared in this story.


Gross Motor Extension Idea:
Jump Rope Rhyme (most preschoolers are not ready to jump rope, so this is a fun action rhyme)
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn around,
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch the ground
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, show your shoe
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, that will do!
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, go upstairs-
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, say your prayers-
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn out the lights-
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, say good-night!
The children jump rope while they chant this rhyme, or they just act out the
actions as the words come up in the rhyme. An example: when they say go
upstairs, the child pretends to climb the stairs.
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