Use TLE’s Storytime Collection of stories, exciting activities and unique ideas to help raise-a-reader! Reading has many positives and reading together as a family allows you to share those positive experiences. Reading is a fantastic way to make connections with members of your family. Use story themes and messages to develop learning experiences through discovery and play! Taking the time to read together as a family will allow you time to connect and spend time together. Have fun!
Mindfulness means being fully in the present moment. Children can learn how to manage their emotions, make good choices, and balance their busy lives by learning to be mindful, express emotions through speech, find empathy through imagination, and wonder at the beauty of the natural world.
Coloring is an excellent way to practice mindfulness and focus for all ages, but especially for younger kids. It takes something they already do and introduces ways to be more aware of their emotions.
Materialsneeded
Paper
Crayons, coloured pencils or markers
Craft Idea:
Draw and colour a picture of something you enjoy. Something that makes you happy or gives you feelings of calm.
Think about: Why did you choose the colors you used? How are you feeling as you color? Asking questions will help you become more in-tune with your emotions and aware of your thoughts.
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Reading and storytelling with babies and children promotes brain development and imagination, develops language and emotions, and strengthens relationships.
Yoga can enhance your child’s strength, coordination and flexibility, while encouraging body awareness and self-esteem. It can reduce your child’s anxiety and stress and promote a sense of calmness.
Aaron Slater loves listening to stories and dreams of one day writing them himself. But when it comes to reading, the letters just look like squiggles to him, and it soon becomes clear he struggles more than his peers. When his teacher asks each child in the class to write a story, Aaron can’t get a single word down. He is sure his dream of being a storyteller is out of reach . . . until inspiration strikes, and Aaron finds a way to spin a tale in a way that is uniquely his.
Coloring is an excellent way to practice mindfulness and focus for all ages, but especially for younger kids. It takes something they already do and introduces ways to be more aware of their emotions.
Materialsneeded
Paper
Crayons, coloured pencils, paint or markers
Craft Idea:
Since Aaron Slater drew his own story, let’s do the same. Using crayons, colored pencils, or paint, create your own “true story” about anything you want. Like Aaron, use visuals versus words to tell the story. When you’re finished, share it with a friend or family member.
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Reading and storytelling with babies and children promotes brain development and imagination, develops language and emotions, and strengthens relationships.
Dyslexia is a learning disability in reading. People with dyslexia have trouble reading at a good pace and without mistakes. They may also have a hard time with reading comprehension, spelling, and writing. People with dyslexia don’t outgrow it. But there are teaching approaches and strategies that can help improve reading skills and manage challenges.
This cookie has never felt like a smart cookie no matter how hard she tries, especially in comparison to all the clever cupcakes and brilliant rolls in the bakery. Will a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of confidence be enough to help her learn that perfect scores and having all the answers aren’t the only ingredients for intelligence?
Here is an easy paper craft activity to do after reading the book The Smart Cookie.
Materialsneeded
Paper
Crayons, coloured pencils or markers
Ideas:
Bring your favourite cookie to life! Draw a picture of your favourite cookie doing something you enjoy doing. It could be doing a sport, playing an instrument, playing with friends…anything you like to do!
Easy Paper Fortune Cookies Tutorial
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Reading and storytelling with babies and children promotes brain development and imagination, develops language and emotions, and strengthens relationships.
#Family Literacy Day takes place every January 27th to raise awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. Since 1999, thousands of schools, libraries, literacy organizations and other community groups have taken part in the initiative.
Enjoy the stories, resources and activity ideas from popular posts from our website!
Reading and storytelling with babies and children promotes brain development and imagination, develops language and emotions, and strengthens relationships.
Kid’s painting canvas (You can find this at the Dollar Store) OR a piece of art paper to create a painting
paint + paint brush (included in the package)
Optional: Extra brushes and paint
2 small containers or cups for water to clean the brushes
paper towels or cloth to clean the brushes
paint shirt or smock
Directions:
Make sure your child has a paint shirt or smock on.
Prepare an area for your child to paint.
Fill the small containers or cups with water.
Unwrap the painting and paints.
Carefully open the paints.
Show your child how to use one colour at a time to paint.
Clean brushes in between colours: Dip and swish the dirty brush in the first cup of water. Dip and swish in the second cup of water to have optimal clean brush. Clean brush with paper towel or cloth. Now you are ready for the next colour!
Have fun painting! An artist is born!
Paper Craft Activity
Here is an easy paper craft alternative to the Artist Painting.
Materialsneeded:
Paper
Crayons, coloured pencils or markers
Directions:
Draw a picture of something that makes you happy!
Art Colouring Pages: Select an artist’s painting, download, print and colour.
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Reading and storytelling with babies and children promotes brain development and imagination, develops language and emotions, and strengthens relationships.
Tools to shape play dough or clay (e.g. popsicle stick)
Foam sheet (for frame)
Markers (to draw on foam sheet)
Optional:
Small roller to flatten play dough or clay
Buttons, gems, yarn, google eyes to decorate the portrait
Directions: Use play dough or clay to create a “Be Me” Self-Portrait.
Use the foam sheet to make your Be Me Self-Portrait.
Flatten and shape some dough to make a face base.
Use different colours of dough and assorted tools to create parts of the face (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, hair, etc.). Add the pieces to the face base.
Have fun and be creative.
A new artist is born!
Easy Paper Craft
Here is an easy paper craft alternative to the Be Me Self-Portrait.
Materialsneeded:
Paper
Crayons, coloured pencils or markers
Ideas:
Draw a portrait of yourself and colour it in. Draw a frame around your portrait.
Draw a picture of yourself as a superhero. Do you have a special costume? Download, print and colour.
More Stories
Reading and storytelling with babies and children promotes brain development and imagination, develops language and emotions, and strengthens relationships.
Welcome to TLE’s Storytime featuring the story In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek, illustrated by Christine Roussey!
Featured Story:
In My Heart
A Book of Feelings
Celebrate feelings in all their shapes and sizes in this New York Times bestselling picture book from the Growing Hearts series!
Happiness, sadness, bravery, anger, shyness . . . our hearts can feel so many feelings! Some make us feel as light as a balloon, others as heavy as an elephant. In My Heart explores a full range of emotions, describing how they feel physically, inside, with language that is lyrical but also direct to empower readers to practice articulating and identifying their own emotions.
With whimsical illustrations and an irresistible die-cut heart that extends through each spread, this gorgeously packaged and unique feelings book is sure to become a storytime favorite.
Reading and storytelling with babies and children promotes brain development and imagination, develops language and emotions, and strengthens relationships.
Welcome to TLE’s Storytime featuring the story TERRIFIC! by Sophie Gilmore!
Featured Story: Terrific!
Five friends are looking for something TERRIFIC to do. But with each having different interests and abilities…what could be terrific for them all?
Climbing? Not for everyone. Swimming? DEFINITELY not for everyone. Hanging from their toes? Absolutely not! Will the friends find something terrific to do together before Snake manages to upend their perfect afternoon?
Scratch art paper and scratch tool (lolipop stick)
Yarn
Hole puncher
Directions:
Use the scratch tool to create patterns and uncover areas on the scratch art paper.
Carefully punch out the animal (pre-cut designs) OR cut along the outline of your animal.
Create or push out the holes in your art animal to use the yarn (provided in some kits) to add fun features to your art, such as a tail. Cut and thread the yarn through the holes to finish off your scratch art.
Easy Paper Craft
Here is an easy paper craft alternative to the Animal Rainbow Scratch Art.
Materialsneeded:
Paper
Crayons, coloured pencils or markers
Ideas:
Draw a picture of something TERRIFIC you would like to do with your friends!
Reading and storytelling with babies and children promotes brain development and imagination, develops language and emotions, and strengthens relationships.
I AM PEACE
TERRIFIC!
BE YOU!
IF ALL THE ANIMALS
LOUISE LOVES ART
TLE’S FAMILY LITERACY SERIES
LEARNING IN THE OUTDOORS
WINTER STORIES
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
HSBC FAMILY LITERACY FIRST
FREE CHILDREN’S STORIES
FREE BINGO CARDS
