Back to PreSchool

Picture Books for Babies, Toddlers, and PreSchoolers

The back to school aisle at the drugstore still thrills me.  I don’t think I am alone.  There is a back-to-school fever out there in consumer-land: mix-and-match clothing sets, colorful school supplies (I still have my rainbow hearts Trapper Keeper), mom-blogs filled with healthy lunch recipes, and parent facebook groups with 100+thread discussions on finding the best bento-box snack container!

 

The overall focus of the mainstream mania tends to be on the Kindergarten plus crowd--and thinking back I actually do wonder if the cuteness of my pencil box helped me wash away the anxiety I felt about the first day of 1st grade.  But for younger children (0-4 year olds), who maybe starting daycare or preschool for the first time--this big change can stir up a range of emotions, often changing from one day (or moment) to the next. In one of those moments, take a breath and grab a book that suits the situation to show them that they are not alone!

 

Babies, Babies! by Debby Slier

Around the time babies turn one, so many cognitive, physical and social-emotional changes are taking place.  This is also around the time some children start daycare, or if they were in an infant care environment, they may move to a new room, or start interacting more with the older toddlers as they become more mobile.  While they are still engaging primarily in parallel play, there is a new interest in other children, and the way they are interacting with toys and each other.  To support them in their newfound social awareness, grab a stack of board books that feature real photos of kids around their age.  They’ll stare, laugh, and maybe even try to imitate the faces they see!

 

Llama Llama Misses Mamma, by Anna Dewdney

At a recent meet-and-greet at my daughter’s daycare, the most common questions for the teachers were about separation anxiety.  While your 4-month old may not realize yet where in the room, or world you are, your 10+month old is highly aware!  Let this book help you assure your child that grown ups always come back!  Throw it in your bag, and start a tradition of reading a short book before drop off every morning.  Routines help young children build confidence and feel more secure.  Keep the routine short and sweet though because, speaking as a former teacher, the longer you linger in the classroom, the harder it will be for your little one!

Rosie Goes to Preschool, by Karen Katz

This book has it all–cubbies, centers, drop-off and pick-up scenes, teachers, friends, blocks–it’s daycare/preschool in a nutshell expressed in clear and vibrant illustrations that will help your child prepare mentally and emotionally for what lies ahead. It’s a great one to read a few times before the first day.  Young children are very reassured by that which is familiar to them, so seeing the things that they can expect to see at school beforehand is enormously helpful. My son was an emotional mess the first few weeks of daycare, but I think this and similar books helped him slowly but surely. He still likes to read about Rosie and assigned all the other characters the names of his classmates.

 

Bear’s Big Day, by Salina Yoon

Check with your child’s teachers first, but usually it’s allowed for your baby or toddler to bring in one comfort item from home that stays in the cubby and can be used when needed (naptime, transitions, or drop off).  Bear leaves his special bunny at home, wanting to take on preschool like a big kid (all alone), only to realize that he misses bunny terribly, and that it’s ok to need an old friend sometimes.

 

Blocks, by Irene Dickson

Oh, sharing.  Possibly the most overheard word at playgrounds and early childhood classrooms worldwide!  The thing is, really young children are not ready to share--cognitively or developmentally.  It’s not something they can just “do” until they are much older--and even then (and even as adults) it can be fraught with difficulty.  Still, it is an important skill to start to practice, with support from a patient, responsive grown up or two.  This book provides a great opportunity to introduce your child to one of the mainstay toys of the early childhood classroom--blocks!  At the same time, it offers a scenario perfect for discussing sharing, and how children feel when they have to.  

 

Music Class Today! by David Weinstone

Your child may not be in a formal school setting yet, but they may be in a class or organized activity of some sort such as music class, yoga, or storytime at the library! I took my son and daughter to Babies and Books at the library from about 3 months of age.  My son thoroughly enjoyed Toddler Time until he started preschool at around 2.5.  Though they would gleefully sing and dance at home and play everything like an instrument, in class they’d stick close to me, mostly observing and sometimes even crying. The first group experience isn’t easy for everyone, and this book by the creator of the Music for Aardvarks program celebrates different ways of participating.

 

 

To learn more about BPL’s programs for children 0-5, check out the First Five Years section of our website.