SUGGESTIONS FOR USING THIS BOOK WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
This story is primarily for pre-school or kindergarten children who are learning / reviewing numer concepts, 1-10 and 10 common colors : red, blue, yellow, orange, white, brown, purple black and pink. Each illustration focuses on a number and a color.
CLICK EACH PICTURE TO SEE AN ENLARGEMENT.
IF YOU CLICK THE NUMBERS ON EACH PAGE YOU CAN GO BACK TO THE "MEET THE STORY-FRIENDS" PAGE.
For best results, the story should be done in short time increments. (Introduce one or two learning concepts at a time, according to the child's learning level.) It is best to work with the story in single sessions unless the child wants to repeat. Children often enjoy going back to familiar stories. Therefore, this story can be successfully used many times.
It is best to read through the story in the first session. The child will hear the rhythm and rhyme. Then the story can be started again with a focus on the numbers and colors. The youngest child does not have to learn all the numbers and colors until he or she is ready. For the older child who is already familiar with the number concepts 1-10, and knows the colors, picture /story content observations can be stressed.
For example, from one picture to the next, ask , "Who is the new child/friend?" "Is the new child/friend a boy or a girl?" "What color is he or she wearing?" "What are the children doing?" At one point in the story the children leave the playground and are playing in the park. Ask the children how they think the children got to the park. (There is a gate at the far upper right in picture #5). In picture #10, there are different colored homes corresponding with the color of the character's clothing. Say that each child lives in a house painted his or her favorite color. Ask where each child/friend lives. For an older child, more details can be identified. For example, in the picture for # 1 and #2 , something is missing in the red house. (one window).
These are examples of concept questions. You will probably be able to think of many yourself.
The primary focus is on color and number concepts which should be stressed.