I know it’s technically still fall, but as soon as Thanksgiving is over, my brain switches to winter mode! I love to switch out my daughter’s books as the seasons and holidays change. There are many benefits to doing this:

Preparing for new experiences – Transitions can be hard for young children! The more preparation and information we provide for them, the better. As the weather gets colder, pointing out the coats, hats, scarves and gloves people are wearing in the books can be a great way to prepare children when they have to wear these items.
Learning new vocabulary – Did you know it can take as many as 17 exposures for children to learn a new word (AdLit.org)? Books are a great way to learn new words in a meaningful context.
Connecting to text – Making connections to text is a great way to enhance comprehension. They may connect to a situation, a feeling, an event or even an object in the story. The first step is text-to-self connection. As children get older, they make text-to-text and text-to-world connections. Books about people who are different than them are great ways to make these bigger connections!

I am a bit of a book collector, so I love to buy books throughout the year. However, lately I have been utilizing our local library. It is a great way to read new books without spending money. I have been so impressed with the precautions the library has taken to keep everyone safe during the pandemic and feel comfortable sharing the books with my daughter.

As usual, I have more books on my website! I also have an Usborne Books & More Gift Guide you can view or shop the Usborne site here.