Bend and Stretch (Mum and Me)
New Baby Books. Series
What’s inside...
The Amazing Body-Our bodies do all kinds of amazing things! Children will learn about their bodies in these colorful and exciting books. A pregnant mother does her exercises together with her small baby and the cat
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-4
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the child felt when they were stretching and bending with Mum?
What are some ways you like to move your body, just like the characters in the book?
Why do you think it's important to exercise and stay active?
Can you think of a time when we did something fun together, like the mum and child in the story?
What was your favorite part of the book and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading each page, ask your child to predict what they think the mum and child will do next.
Encourage your child to physically mimic the movements described in the book as you read them, making the story interactive and fun.
After reading, suggest doing some of the stretching and bending exercises together, reinforcing the book’s theme and spending quality time together.
Connect the story to real life by discussing daily activities you both enjoy that involve moving and stretching, helping the child relate more to the story.
Praise your child for their thoughts and responses to the questions to encourage further discussion and engagement.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of physical activity
Explanation: The book showcases various stretching and bending exercises that the characters perform together, emphasizing the fun in physical movements.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to engage in daily physical activities like stretching, yoga, or simple exercises, which can improve their physical health and energy levels.
Example Lesson: Building strong parent-child bonds
Explanation: Throughout the book, the interaction between the parent and child during their activities demonstrates a nurturing and supportive relationship.
Real-World Application: Spending quality time together through shared activities can strengthen the emotional connection between parents and children, fostering a secure and loving environment.
Example Lesson: Following instructions
Explanation: The child in the book follows the lead of the parent in performing the exercises, which highlights the importance of listening and following directions.
Real-World Application: This can apply to various situations such as in school or during other learning activities, where listening and following instructions are crucial for safety and success.
Example Lesson: Encouraging imitation as a form of learning
Explanation: By imitating the parent's movements, the child learns through observation and mimicry, a natural method of learning for young children.
Real-World Application: Children can use imitation in real-world scenarios to acquire new skills and behaviors by observing and replicating their parents, teachers, or peers.
Example Lesson: Celebrating small achievements
Explanation: Each successful movement performed by the child is met with positive reinforcement from the parent, highlighting the importance of celebrating small victories.
Real-World Application: This practice can boost a child's confidence and motivation, encouraging them to take on new challenges and recognize their own progress in different facets of life.