Learning Activities
Making a fairytale inspired board game
It’s the time of year when we enjoy reading The Jolly Christmas Postman, doing Humpty Dumpty’s jigsaw, reading The Gingerbread Man’s annual and playing the hazardous board game that Little Red Riding Hood receives from Mr Wolf. After playing the game for what was at least the tenth time in a row we decided to make our own.…
Learning with Mr Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
Mr Willowby unknowingly spreads festive cheer when he chops the top off his Christmas tree. This lovely rhyming story can be used to stimulate Christmas tree arts, crafts, literacy and numeracy activities.
Lucy’s Secret Reindeer by Anne Booth / Sophy Williams
Lucy’s Secret Reindeer is a beautifully written chapter book for younger children. It’s a lovely story to read in the run up to Christmas and it would be a perfect present for Saint Nicholas to put in a child’s shoes or boots on December 6th.
The Fairytale Hairdresser and Father Christmas by Abie Longstaff & Lauren Beard
We are huge fans of Kittie Lacey, The Fairytale Hairdresser, and love this newly published Christmas story which includes the fairytale characters from the previous books.
- Audio Books · Book Inspired Crafts & Activities · Book Inspired Learning · Picture Books · Translated Books
Learning with Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
Room in the Broom is one of my daughter’s favourite Julia Donaldson / Axel Scheffler stories. As well as witch, cat, dog, frog and bird crafts there are many other learning activities that can be inspired by the book. We had a great time crafting, experimenting, painting and baking to prepare this post.
Leaf Trouble by Jonathan Emmett & Caroline Jayne Church
Leaf Trouble is a wonderful story for introducing autumn to young children and it’s a great book to use in the classroom to stimulate discussion about why trees lose their leaves. Before I read the story I ask children why they think that trees lose their leaves in the autumn, their answers are often interesting, one…
Picture Books for European Day of Languages
September 26th is European Day of Languages. The European Day of Languages is jointly organised by The Council of Europe and the European Union and celebrates linguistic diversity in Europe. I have compiled a list of some of the picture books that I have used to introduce English vocabulary to non native English speaking children.
Learning with Elmer by David McKee
Elmer is celebrating his 25th birthday this year! We have read many of the Elmer stories which have been translated into over 40 languages as well as being made into television series. The first story is still my favourite and I have used it countless times to promote learning within a variety of topics. It is particularly…
Introducing new experiences through picture books
I often look for picture books to help introduce new concepts or to support my daughter through new experiences. Stories often do a much better job of explaining a situation than I can, especially if my daughter is already familiar with the characters. As well as being entertaining the stories take her through the steps…
Grow Your Own by Esther Hall
With the warmer weather our thoughts have turned to growing and planting fruit and vegetables. Grow Your Own ‘A yummy story about growing (and eating!) your own food’ is a great story for initiating discussion about how fruit and vegetables grow.
