It’s My Potty!

Place a stack of appealing children’s books in the bathroom. Your preschooler may enjoy reading on her own, in the privacy of the bathroom. And if she is working on potty training, you are also giving her the message that it is OK to relax as she takes care of business. It is definitely a win-win situation.

Starting Preschool? Books to the Rescue, part 2

Here are a couple more books that can help you prepare you child for starting preschool. Of course no one book will address all of your individual child’s unique concerns. But reading about how other children or animal characters respond can open the door to a great discussion about what is on your child’s mind. To open the conversation, you can mention a character's concern and talk about how it was resolved and then ask your child what she might be thinking about.

What to Expect at Preschool by Heidi Murkoff

This book predicts some question that children might have before they begin school--and gives good answers.

Tinyflock Nursery School by Suzy-Jane Tanner

This book might be an ideal choice if your child has already expressed some specific fears about starting school.

Starting Preschool? Books to the Rescue, part 1

Many young children need time to get used to new experiences. If your child is about to start in preschool for the first time in September you may want to start talking about the event soon. Here are a few books that might help you prepare your child and start the conversation about the exciting new experience in his future.


Francine's Day by Anna Alter
This book is a nice starting point for addressing any of your child's mixed feelings about starting preschool.


Little Bunny’s Preschool Countdown by Maribeth Boeltz
Reading this story is a good opening for talking about growing up and changes, including starting school.


My First Day at Nursery School by Becky Edwards
Reading this book will give your child an opportunity to talk about the many kinds of feelings that he might have about starting school.

Unexpected Choices

You have probably read about what to look for in books for your preschooler. And there is no shortage of ideas--including ones I have suggested in this blog. However, you might be surprised to find that your child's attention is captured by a book that is not at all what you expected. She might be captivated by a book of technical drawings or diagrams, a catalog of clothing or camping equipment, or a gardening how-to book. You may dream that she is headed for a career as an engineer or fashion designer or master gardener. In fact, she might not be able to tell you what intrigues her. If she is feeling talkative, ask her to describe what she sees and what she likes to look at. Talk with her about the contents of the pages. Or just let her peruse the pages and enjoy herself. She is learning about something and her world is expanding.