Children enjoy making books with a little help along the way.

Did you know?

Children are ready to include simple story ideas in their book.

Add language

Children often enjoy repetition and rhyme in stories at this age.

Encourage “story language” e.g. Talk about how the story starts, what happens in the middle, and how the story ends.

Other development

Cutting out and gluing or drawing their own pictures both help to develop your child’s fine motor skills.

Books with colour, number or shape themes develop and reinforce these important concepts.

Write down, in their own words, what your child tells you. This helps them learn that what they say can be written and read back.

Variations

Small books can be made from one sheet of paper with this clever design.

Making a book with your child about their day or week can help develop their self-esteem and is great to share if family members are away.

Sitting together and choosing pictures from your phone or camera to illustrate their story gives lots of opportunity to practice recounting an event and developing thinking and reasoning skills.

Across the ages

All the activities listed on our “Play Ideas” page can be applied across different age groups. See how making books can be a fun activity for babies, toddlers and playgroups.

 

Activities listed under “child” are suitable for children 3 years and older.  Children of this age enjoy more complex activities where they can develop their skills and use their imagination while playing with friends.

Play ideas