This week I bought a box of Cheerio's and I received a copy of the book JUMP! by Scott M. Fischer. If you never read it, I highly recommend you search your local supermarket to get your own personal copy (plus this version comes with a Spanish translation!) This a book I usually use in action/exercising themed story times because it goes through the animal kingdom and when an animal feels threatened by another they jump away for safety and I highly encourage children to physically jump when I read that word in the story. it is quick and has a cute rhyming scheme and very easy to get into. It is extremely entertaining for everyone and it always ends with children set up for the perfect movement song to follow (like Shake Your Sillies Out).
This time of year is the best time for jumping outdoors. The weather is getting warmer (in New York) and being outside is a great conversation starter and a great opportunity to build vocabulary skills in a really fun setting. Blowing bubbles on a park bench is a great place to teach words and expressions in addition to plenty of giggles and "jumping" to pop the bubbles. Taking a walk and stopping to point out flowers, trees, stop signs, traffic lights, school buses, police cars etc. is so easy and you do not even need a destination! I highly encourage using this occasion to teach your child about your neighborhood, the people and places that make this place your special home. So why are you still sitting around? Jump up and get outside!
