Realistic Books for Toddlers
Realistic Books for Toddlers
Montessori Fantasy and Imagination
One common misconception about Montessori education is that there is not a place for fantasy books. This isn't true; rather, the perspective is that there is simply a time and place for them when a child is older.
When children are young, books with realistic pictures and illustrations are encouraged as they learn about the world around them.
One way to incorporate books with realistic pictures or topics can be to make them yourself. It doesn't need to be anything complicated or extravagant, and if you're like me, you might have more photos saved on your phone's camera roll than you know how to handle. This can be a way to store those memories in a physical form and provide something that your child may want to look at over and over again.
If you're not sure how to get started, here are a few ideas of what a book could include:
You could choose a collection of photos of loved ones, and title the book, "Who Loves [your child's name]." Thank you to @tinyhumans___, a Montessori educator, and friend, for this sweet idea!
Particularly for those who live far away, this might help your child as they learn to recognize faces and names. You could keep things simple by just having a picture of each family member and a ring binder to hold it all together!
Has your family traveled anywhere recently? A travel memory book could be a fun way to preserve memories of a family trip, especially when children may be too young to remember on their own.
An easy way to store beloved school projects could be to include them in a memory book! It could be scrapbook-style and include art they've worked on, school pictures, and anything else they may want to remember about their school year.
For my own family, I have created "Year in Review" books that include photos from each month of the previous year. My children love to look through them and comment on how much they have grown since that time.
In addition, I have also created photo books of each of my children's first year of life. It's been a fun way for me to remember their tiny details, and to show them that they really were that small once upon a time!
Have you seen Lovevery's books? They are often about everyday activities, but children love to look through them. Some ideas of things you could capture and make a book about are:
-when cousins come to visit
-making dinner together
-a day at the park
-a play date with a friend
-a fun home activity
How to Create the Book
For my own books, I prefer to use an online print service like Mixbook, Shutterfly, or Chatbooks. I like that I can create and order the entire project from my phone.
Another option is to have it printed, laminated, and professionally bound at Staples or OfficeMax. This can be a great options for small hands since the chances of tearing pages may be reduced.
The photo book below was created using a local print shop and was only about $12!
If you're feeling more inclined to DIY, even a simple 3-ring binder and page protectors can be an effective way to create a realistic photo book for your child.
What is your favorite way to preserve memories? Let us know below!
