Monday, December 6, 2010

Guest Post: Making a "Me" Book

I am thrilled to present my very first guest post. This post was written by Jamie Hurst DeLuna, PhD. She is the author of Avant Garde Parenting, a wonderful website, full of interesting, varied, and helpful information for parents of children of all ages.

I think you will enjoy this creative idea from Jamie, and find ways to make a meaningful "me" book with your child.

Please be sure to visit Jamie's site for more ideas about parenting! http://www.avantgardeparenting.com

Making a "Me" Book

Book sharing can be a joyous experience for parents and children. Choosing a favorite story and snuggling in after a bath can be the perfect ending to any day. But what if your child just isn’t into books? Here’s an idea that to help get even the most book-averse kiddo involved in the process–make a ‘Me’ book. Grab some paper and markers and help your child make a book all about himself! The key is to let your child be an active participant in making the book–let him choose the colors, what to draw, and even what to include. Here are some ideas for pages:

• Favorites: Include your child’s favorite colors, foods, and games.
• Facts about Me: Record your child’s height, eye color, hair color, etc.
• My Family: Include the members of your child’s family and extended family. (A family tree format could be fun!)
• Where I live: Record address, phone number, number of rooms in my house, number of trees in my yard, and so on.
• What I like to do: Include your child’s favorite activities, whether art, soccer, karate, or dance.

Update your ‘Me’ book annually, semiannually, or even monthly as your child grows and changes. I have an idea that this book will be one that your child wants to read with you day after day!

8 comments:

  1. This is an excellent idea and looks like a lot of fun as well!

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  2. I love this idea. I can see it working for a nice collection of books that give a child a real sense of his or her life and how it changes over time. Also there are many opportunities to find new topics to write about as a child's world expands to include school, new friends, new activities, and so on.

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  3. Thanks for stopping by the Southern MOMentum site today! Love your site... such a great approach to educate moms on this subject. Looking forward to reading more — my kids are 8 & 6 ... I like the "reading" date idea. :) By the way, I design & layout children's book (and adult books) too. We have an awesome book coming out with awesome illustrations in a couple weeks called "Old MacDonald Has A Golf Course" .... written by a teacher in Michigan. I'll be sure to put it up on my site!
    Happy Holidays,
    Stephanie

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  4. Thank you for the sweet comments and thanks for the wonderful opportunity to guest post on such a wonderful blog :)

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  5. Nice blog with great content. I saw you from Bloggy moms keep the numbers up. I just followed your blog and I'm hoping you'll like my blog and follow too. thanks

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  6. Wonderful post, and great blog from what I see so far. If you get a chance, stop by and follow me back, I'd appreciate it.

    ~Steph
    http://fortheluvofsanity.blogspot.com

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  7. thanks for stopping by Butterflies and Babies. Yes those are my girls! and they LOVE to read- so this is a great idea for them!!!

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  8. I love reading to my girls, it is such a special time of night. I love the "Me" book idea, should have thought of that a few months ago when my 2 year old was too squirmy to sit for a book. Luckily we are past that point and I have to limit books at night and drag her out of the library.
    Thank you for stopping by my blog and voting for my daughter's school to get a playground. Much appreciated!
    Theresa

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What I think . . .

There are all kinds of readers. Some—like my daughter and me—are never without a book to read for pleasure. Others—like my son—are careful, analytical, and curious readers who read primarily to seek information from the page.


No matter what kind of reader your child becomes, you can help him or her get started. After all, you are your child’s first teacher. And, best of all, you can have some fun in the process.


Please feel free to share your own ideas. Tell me about ways you've enjoyed reading with your child.


Madeline Boskey, Ph.D.